A Material Comparison Guide for Display Clarity, Strength, and Safety By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
Table of Contents
Acrylic is lightweight and cost-effective with great clarity. Glass offers a luxury feel and scratch resistance. Polycarbonate is ultra-durable and safest for impact zones. The right choice depends on your display’s design, shipping route, and store usage
acrylic vs glass for displays
All clear materials may look similar — until your tester tray cracks in shipping or your display turns yellow after a few months.
Use the wrong material, and you risk breakage, weight issues, or a poor in-store experience. Yet many brands still treat “acrylic vs. glass vs. polycarbonate” as interchangeable.
This guide compares all three materials in clarity, cost, strength, and shipping safety — so your display performs beautifully, not just visually.
🧪 Acrylic vs. Glass vs. Polycarbonate: At a Glance
Feature
Acrylic (PMMA)
Glass
Polycarbonate (PC)
Clarity (%)
92% (very clear)
90–91% (natural tone)
88–90% (slight haze)
Scratch Resistance
⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (very high)
⭐ (low unless coated)
Impact Resistance
⭐⭐⭐
⭐ (brittle)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (250x stronger than glass)
Weight
Light
Heavy
Light
Shatterproof?
Yes
No
Yes
UV Stability
Good (w/ additives)
Excellent
Needs UV-stabilized grade
Cost (relative)
💲💲
💲💲💲
💲💲💲
Recyclable?
Yes
Yes
Sometimes (varies by region)
💡 Summary:
Use acrylic for clarity and shipping economy
Use glass for scratch resistance and luxury touch
Use polycarbonate where safety and impact matter most
🎯 Material Use Cases
✅ Acrylic
Best for:
Tester trays
Glorifiers
Lightboxes
Signage
Logo risers
Pros:
Polished edges = luxury look
Shatter-resistant and lightweight
Cost-efficient for mass rollout
Watch out:
Scratches in high-touch areas
Not flame retardant by default
🏛️ Glass
Best for:
Premium display domes
Long-term permanent fixtures
Boutique window props
Pros:
Feels cool, solid, luxurious
Excellent scratch resistance
Doesn’t yellow over time
Watch out:
Heavy and fragile in transit
Requires foam crates for air/sea
🛡️ Polycarbonate
Best for:
Airport & duty-free zones
Kids’ product displays
Outdoor & public touchpoints
Pros:
Ultra impact-resistant
Safe for self-service use
Lightweight but rugged
Watch out:
Can yellow or haze
Prone to scratches unless hard-coated
📦 Shipping & Retail Safety Chart
Application
Recommended Material
High-volume global rollout
Acrylic
Airport or public safety zones
Polycarbonate
Luxury boutique environments
Glass
Air freight / lightweight spec
Acrylic or polycarbonate
🔍 Real Case: Skincare Tester Tray Across 20+ Markets
🟨 Client: Japanese prestige beauty brand 🟨 Challenge: Lightweight, premium look, durable for courier shipping 🟩 Samtop Solution:
MDF base with matte PU finish
Top tray: 5mm laser-cut acrylic with polished edges
Logo: UV print + light diffusion layer
Packaging: Foam wrap + QR setup sheet
✅ Result:
Saved 35% vs. glass
60% weight reduction
0 cracks across 120+ units
💬 FAQ
Q: Can we combine materials in one display?
A: Yes. For example: acrylic logo block + plywood base + aluminum legs = cost, clarity, and strength.
Q: Will polycarbonate yellow?
A: It can over time — unless UV-stabilized or hard-coated. Always specify outdoor or long-life grade.
Q: Can acrylic pass fire safety tests?
A: Only certain grades (e.g. B1-rated PMMA). Let your supplier know compliance needs early.
🎯 Conclusion: Choose Material Strategically
✔️ Acrylic for clarity and cost ✔️ Glass for luxury and scratch resistance ✔️ Polycarbonate for durability and safety ✔️ Sample early, ship smart, and always match material to purpose
