Acrylic - Cast
☀ UV Stable
⬡ Chemical Resistant
Overview
Cast acrylic (PMMA) for laser and CNC work. Cast acrylic is made by pouring liquid resin between glass plates, resulting in a material with uniform thickness, excellent optical clarity, and superior laser engraving properties. It produces a frosted white engraving when lased and cuts with clean, flame-polished edges. More expensive than extruded acrylic but better for engraving and high-end applications. Available in clear, colors, opaques, and specialty finishes. Ideal for signage, displays, jewelry, and artistic work.
Properties
Difficulty
intermediate
Pros
- Excellent optical clarity
- Beautiful frosted engraving effect
- Flame-polished edges when laser cut
- UV stable (colors last outdoors)
- Good chemical resistance
- Rigid and strong
- Available in many colors and thicknesses
Cons
- More expensive than extruded acrylic
- Can crack under stress if not handled properly
- Scratches more easily than glass
- Brittle — can shatter on impact
- CNC machining requires special bits
- Generates heat during cutting
Best For
- Signage
- awards and trophies
- jewelry
- displays
- light boxes
- keychains
- artistic engravings
- photo frames
- protective covers
Avoid For
- Extruded acrylic (melts and gums bit)
- multi-flute bits (chip weld)
Laser Compatibility
Cast acrylic cuts and engraves cleanly. CO2: cut 3mm at ~15mm/s 80W, engrave at 200mm/s 30%. Diode: engrave only — cutting requires many passes. Produces fumes — ventilate well. Never use on painted side without testing.
Brands
Acme PlasticsInventablesAmazon Basics