When transparent materials are required, the two most common types in the retail signage and POP display market are acrylic and polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PETG. Both materials are powerful and keep your visual messages clear and authentic.
Here are some key differentiating factors between the two materials that can help you determine which clear substrate is best for your retail signage application.
strength
In order to assess strength, it is important to consider how accessible the graphics are to people. Acrylic and PETG have different properties, avoiding injury while ensuring the durability of the display should be paramount. Both are strong and resilient, but the acrylic can shatter or crack if subjected to shock or external force, and these areas may have sharp edges. Acrylic is a very dense and hard material, making it both durable and strong, but when safety and handling are an issue, we recommend PETG as a substrate.
PETG, on the other hand, is impact resistant and does not shatter like acrylic. It's also about five times stronger than acrylic, making it suitable for display in areas where customers pass by, such as end caps, aisle offenders, or headline signs. If shipping is an issue, PETG is also a better choice as acrylic graphics packaged in kits and shipped via UPS or FedEx can risk cracking corners due to mishandling of the graphics before the graphics reach the store.
color
Acrylic is the best choice for PETG when color and clarity are concerned. Acrylic has excellent optical clarity and is an excellent alternative to glass-like applications. The clarity of PETG has a blue/green hue. This isn't always the feature customers are looking for, but it's worth considering, especially when printing on the back and intending to view the print through the material. This is often referred to as printing on the "second surface".
In terms of variety, acrylic also offers more color translucent options for backlit graphics like light boxes and translites. Acrylics are available in optically clear to opaque whites, with various translucent white options in between. Translucency is an important factor to consider, as it affects the brightness of the logo, the vividness of the printed colors, and the transparency of the logo when backlit. This makes acrylic ideal for backlighting, edge lighting and POP display applications such as translites, headlines and high-end finishes. Acrylic is also available in colors and can be customized in large quantities.
PETG color options are more limited and are usually only available in clear gloss or clear matte finishes.
cost
Comparing the cost of acrylic and PETG can be difficult because signage is highly custom, so costs tend to vary. As a general rule, PETG material costs slightly more to purchase than acrylic—about 10 percent more—but PETG is easier to manufacture and print, which can close the gap.
But at the same time, depending on where the sign is placed, acrylic may be a better choice. For example, acrylic is better than PETG for outdoor signage due to its weatherability and UV resistance, so just because it's less expensive doesn't mean it can't last. Context is everything.
cleanable
The ability to clean various materials is probably their most similar property. Acrylic and PETG are very easy to clean; all you need is soap and water. This is probably the most similar property of the individual materials. In fact, using alcohol-based cleaners can cause both to crack over time, so our advice is to stick with the basics.
