home

acrylic paper weights

the Lucite story

Casting

The manufacturing of acrylic embedments began shortly after World War II. It has remained one of the best kept manufacturing secrets, handed down through trusted associates. Because of the tremendous technical knowledge required, the total number of actual manufacturers remains very small. While much of the process is technically demanding, a basic overview is helpful to enhance understanding of the finished product.

Curing


Acrylic is a high quality product. The versatility of acrylic allows it to be custom designed into a variety of shapes and sizes, incorporating many different types of embedded elements. However, due to chemical reactions during the process, not everything can be embedded.
The process starts with two basic ingredients, an acrylic resin powder and monomer, a crystal clear liquid. The powder and monomer are mixed together in specific proportions.


 

Sanding

The result is a thick, opaque liquid. The mixture is hand poured into molds and allowed to partially harden. Objects to be embedded are then hand placed into the acrylic layer. Another layer is poured over the embedded object and the acrylic is again allowed to harden.
During this stage, the liquid acrylic is an opaque, milky white. It is very difficult to center objects on multiple levels when the objects below cannot be clearly seen. Because theses embedded objects are placed by hand, no two acrylic embedments are ever 100% alike.
 

Buffing

After the acrylic has hardened, the molds are placed into an oven. There, heat cures, and pressure squeezes out the air bubbles, to completely harden the embedment. This curing process may take up to seven hours. After cooling, the acrylic embedments are removed from the molds and the sizing process begins. All acrylic parts are cast oversized to allow for shrinkage, which varies from part to part. Three steps are taken to size the embedments. The parts are ground down to size by hand on large industrial sanders. A coarse grit belt is used first, followed by a medium grit belt. A final sanding with a fine grit belt makes it easier to polish the sanded acrylic. Variations occur in this sizing process since it is all done by hand.


 

Inspection

Polishing is the next step in the process. It is also done by hand. This brings out the luster and high gloss of the acrylic not previously seen during production. A rough buffing is administered to remove all sanding lines. A final polishing then brings out the bright crystal-like finish. The production of the acrylic embedment is completed.

The final phase now begins. Each embedment is carefully hand wiped and visually inspected. If flaws are detected, the part is returned for additional finishing or rejected for recycling.

After passing through inspection, each part is individually bagged and boxed. Orders are then shipped out all over the world. Each acrylic embedment is a unique creation, ready to satisfy another customer with the knowledge that their message will be forever displayed in striking acrylic.

 

 

Why Choose A Better Idea for Your Lucite/Acrylic Awards and Recognition Items?

 
·   Assists you at the creation level of your award, if you wish.

 

·  

Is equipped with a comprehensive computer graphics department staffed by experienced people who can accurately replicate your logos and corporate texts or receive your artwork electronically .

 

·  

No cost setup of all your pieces, except those which are molded in 3-D.

 

·  

Supplies at no additional cost prior to sample production a proof by email or by fax to validate the accuracy of the information with you.

 

·  

Offers you support and expert advice at all times during your project.

 

·  

Possesses a high production capacity that is suited to small lots and large-scale projects alike.

 

 

The Advantages of Lucite

·   Great flexibility in terms of design to produce a one-of-a-kind item.

 

·  

Custom shapes along with resin colors matching your specifications.

·  

Product versatility enables the embedment of certain items you supply to make the award even more attractive and noticeable.

acrylic award
·  

Distinctive appearance with a sparkling luster that catches the eye and a perceived value that will make any recipient proud to display it.

 
paperweight    
·  

Easy to personalize. Through the use of acetates or laser engraving, the piece can bear the recipient’s name.

·  

Floating embedments within the acrylic awaken people’s curiosity. For this purpose, metal castings , vials, and substrates can be embedded.

acrylic awards  
 employee recognition 
·  

The acrylic award is a long-lasting item people hold on to for a good many years. It can very well be given as a standalone prize or as a complement to another shorter-lived prize, such as a dinner, trip, or vacation package.

 

a) Choose the shape/s you are interested in.  Pick the shape from this site or fax us a diagram.

b) Settle on an approximate size you would like.  (Lucite is price on volume...it's a liquid)

c) Decide on what you would like embedded.  White card?   Clear insert?   How many sides or colors?

d)  Call us for a RAPID quotation!   If you have art, send us your artwork and we can get you a specific quote!

WEB QUOTE REQUEST FORM

 home      email us

LUCITE LINKS:   cast acrylic - permanent insert - deal toys    Lucite Main Page

LUCITE DEAL TOYS: Lucite Gallery |  Lucite Awards  |  Standard Shapes  |  Standard Shapes #2  |  Special Shapes  | Special Shapes #2  |  Special Shapes #3

Lucite Key Tags | Lucite Order Form  |  Shapes w/ Bases  | Metal Castings  | Metal Castings in Lucite | Special Awards  | Special Awards 2

 Shapes w/ Bases  |  Theme Pieces  |  Oil & Gas Pieces |  How to Buy Lucite   |  The Lucite Story |  Custom Pieces  |  3D Cast Parts  | Wall Plaques         

SHAPES:  Cube | Rectangle |  Wedge |  Square | Pyramid | Round  | Oval  | Trapezoid | Prism | Taper Square | Star  | Easel | Dome | Diamond | Pentagon

 Photos of ShapesLaser Cutting | Quote Form | Order Form | Printing Processes  | Insert Choices  | About Lucite | Packaging/Box | Lucite Gallery of Ideas

                       SOLID ACRYLIC & PLAQUE LINKS:   cut acrylic - surface printed - one piece    Acrylic Paperweights Main Page
 PAPERWEIGHTS:  Acrylic Paperweights Index |  All Acrylic  Awards  |  Acrylic Photo Paperweights  |  Budget Block Paperweights  |  Full Color Paperweight 
SHAPES: Stars |  Acrylic Pyramid  |  Triangle  |  Diamond  |  Circles  |  Hollow Cubes   Globe Awards   |   World Theme   Star Awards 
  Acrylic Stock Awards  |  Acrylic Dome attachments |  Acrylic Jade Awards  |  Budget Block Paperweights  |  Acrylic Jade Awards  |  Acrylic DIsplays  | PhotoImage
PLAQUES   Acrylic Plaques   |  Full Color Plaques  | Curved Acrylic Plaque Star Plaques   | Thin Photo Plaques   |  Acrylic Wall Plaques  
Flat Acrylic Frames & Plaques  | Curved Acrylic Frame Plaques |  Full Color Flat Easels | 2 Panel Plaques   |  Curved Acrylic Photo Frames   | Pocket Holders

                    2- PC ACRYLIC SANDWICH & MAGNETIC  2 piece acrylic - sandwiched    Acrylic Entrapments Main Page  

SNAP OR SCREW TOGETHER:   Acrylic Entrapments   |  Wall Entrapments  |  Credit Card Holders  |  CD Holders |  Business Card Holders  |  Sports Ticket Holders

   Magnetic Frames  | Magnetic Sandwiches  |  Full Color Plaques  | Coin Encasements | Certificate Holders   | Currency Holders   In Stock Rush Shapes
2 piece Sandwich  |  2 piece Wall Sandwich Plaque  |  Building Replicas  |  Econo Awards  |  P.O.P Displays   |  Ready to Ship Stock Items  RUSH SERVICE          

                   GROUND BREAKING & THEME:  hard hats,  shovels,  scissors,  keys, oil awards etc   Groundbreaking Main Page

 Shovel Awards   |  Large Gold Shovels  |  Large Silver Shovels  | Mini Shovels  Shovel Letter Openers | Shovel Plaques 
 Hard Hats  |  Keys to the City  |  Scissors on Plaques  | Cast Letter Openers  Ceremonial Scissors  Hammers  Trucks  | Picks  |  "Stonecast" Awards
Oil & Gas Lucite Ideas | Theme Idea | Scissors / Dedication  |  Groundbreaking  Awards & Plaques | Building Replicas  | Gavels | Grand Opening Custom Bricks & Stones
Trowels  |  Cinder Block Award  |  Shovel In Stone Award   |  Cast Brick Award  |  Cast Truck & Tool Awards  |  Theme Ideas | Stones & Bricks  | Trucks

 

home | search products | contact us | shipping + ordering information
artwork | disclaimer | online order | link to us | glossary of terms  sitemap

Need to translate this page? Copy the URL and  Click Here

lucite        

800-520-1691  x201

Copyright © LuciteTombstones.com, 1991-2009. All Rights Reserved.

Sales Inquiries:  info@lucitetombstones.com      Quotes:  Online Quote Form       Terms:  General Terms & Conditions       Artwork:  Artwork Requirements

lucite

Bookmark This Site!

  USA Site           UK Site           EU Site

PicoSearch

  Search By Keyword,  Item #, Shape or Size

 

 

[top of page]