Frequently Asked Questions for Acrylic Sheets

What’s the difference between Perspex®, PLEXIGLASS® and acrylic?

Perspex® and PLEXIGLASS® are both brands of acrylic plastic. All of the acrylic sheets we supply are Perspex® acrylic.

What's the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate?

Clear acrylic sheets are cheaper and more scratch resistant than polycarbonate, however, Polycarbonate is 30x stronger than acrylic so it is a more impact-resistant alternative.

Can I get samples of your acrylic sheets?

You can request samples of any of our products: When on the store page for the material you are interested in, first select the thickness you want, then scroll down and find the "Request Sample" button. This will add one sample unit to the shopping cart. Make sure to check your shopping cart before checking out.

Acrylic samples come as 10cm squares and are intended to let you see the colour or finish in real life. For coloured acrylic, sometimes we won't have sample stock of the exact thickness you ask for, but you'll still get the right colours. and tinted samples will always be the correct thickness as the thickness can be important for the properties of the product.

Clear acrylic sheeting samples are available in thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 30mm.

How much light passes through solid-coloured acrylic sheets?

Most of our selection of coloured acrylics are considered ‘Opaque’ and cannot be seen through. However, bright lights placed behind thinner sheets may still be visible as a faint glow. Our ‘frosted’ material colour options are semi-transparent, so shapes and colours will be vaguely perceptible (think: privacy glass). We strongly recommend requesting samples if lighting or opacity is a critical factor in your project.

Do I need polished edges?

If your item is going to be on display and is not going to be set into a frame, we recommend opting for polished edges when possible. This will leave the edges as smooth and transparent as the surface. Without this, your item may have slightly visible tool marks along the cut surfaces. This is particularly important for items that will be handled, as the edges would otherwise be rough. The effect of a polished edge will be more visible on thicker sheets of acrylic.

Is clear acrylic sheeting suitable for secondary glazing?

We would recommend acrylic for secondary glazing, and for larger windows, you would benefit from a thicker sheet to provide rigidity. If need stronger clear plastic sheeting, we also supply cut-to-size polycarbonate for secondary glazing.

Is Perspex® food safe?

Perspex acrylic sheets comply with current EU and American (FDA) food contact regulations.

Why is my acrylic the wrong colour?

All of our acrylic products will be shipped with a thin protective film covering both faces. This could be a variety of colours: blue, green and white are common, and may not have any branding or logos printed on it to make it obvious that it’s there. The cutting process can sometimes melt the film at the edges, causing it to stick very tightly to the surface of your acrylic, making it tricky to peel off. Work at the edges or corners carefully with a craft knife to make it release, then peel it off carefully.

If you are doing any installation or modification, you might want to leave the film in place while handling your new acrylic panels, to minimise scrapes and prevent fingerprints.

Is Perspex® heat resistant?

Perspex® sheets will melt at high temperatures or from exposure to direct flames. The melting point for Perspex is 80̊C so they cannot withstand extreme temperatures.

Can I put acrylic behind a hob?

Electric, ceramic and induction hobs are safe to have acrylic panels behind them but there must be at least a 50mm gap between the panel and the hob. The safest option is to use a glass splashback for gas hobs. Please see our splashbacks page for more information on cooker types and acrylic.

Is Cut My able to fabricate my product?

We can cut to various sizes and shapes out of flat sheets in a range of thicknesses.

Can Perspex® be painted or printed on?

Yes, Perspex can be painted or printed on as it has a smooth flat surface. However, choosing the right type of paint or ink is important to ensure adhesion and durability. It's also important to follow proper preparation and application techniques to avoid smudging or other issues.

How can I clean Perspex®?

Keeping your Perspex® clean and hygienic is easy to maintain, as all that is required is warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. Please avoid using abrasive cleaners or materials, as these can scratch the surface of the material.

How resistant to scratching are your acrylic sheets?

Acrylic is not as scratch resistant as a similar panel of glass, but light surface marks can be more easily buffed out from acrylic. We offer a higher scratch protection finish on our 6mm acrylic if you need extra safeguarding.

How can I remove scratches from acrylic sheets?

You can easily remove scratches from mirrors with a microfibre cloth and a high-quality polish. Following the instructions on the polish, the scratches will be removed using small circular motions.

How can I cut acrylic sheets?

While it is possible to cut acrylic sheets yourself, we do suggest that you request it cut to size before ordering as we can expertly and safely meet your requirements. We use a variety of tools here at Cut My, including saws, routers and lasers and our staff have plenty of safety equipment and knowledge of the correct techniques for cutting acrylic sheets. If you must cut acrylic sheets yourself, you will need a skill saw with an acrylic blade or a router to prevent chipping.

How do I attach Perspex® sheets to other materials?

Perspex® can be attached to other materials using a variety of methods, including screws and adhesives. The specific method used would depend on the intended application and the materials being joined.

Is Perspex® recyclable?

Perspex® is recyclable, however, as it’s not bio-degradable the process is not as easy as putting it in your recycle bin or taking it to a bottle bank. But you can re-use Perspex® by cutting larger sheets into small pieces and forming them into other products.

Does acrylic block UV or infrared?

Acrylic sheets are resistant to UV, however, they don’t block it.

Reviews