When to Use Acrylic vs. Glass vs. Polycarbonate

A Material Comparison Guide for Display Clarity, Strength, and Safety
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display

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

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

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🔍 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

📩 Need a sample kit or cost/weight estimate?

👉 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Visit: www.samtop.com

• 👉 Material Spec Comparison Page
• 👉 Contact for Sample Kit
• 👉 More Blog Articles

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• Pantone + Acrylic Printing
• ISPM 15 for Glass/Plastic Export