Acrylic Edge Finishing

Emco Plastics offers a variety of edge finishing solutions. With automated edge finishing machines, we're able to quickly produce high quality, glass-like results. From flame polishing to machine polishing, we have what it takes to give you the desired transparency. For thinner pieces of acrylic, flame polishing is the easiest way to bring a smooth shine back to the edges. Larger pieces require a more intensive process to bring them back to a high polish shine. Buffing will leave your piece with the highest quality finish possible. 

Saw Cut Edge + Scraping Edges A saw cut edge is the standard edge finish for all cut acrylic. It is chip-free and does not need polishing if you’re engaging the edge. A scraper can be almost any piece of metal with a sharp, flat edge. Special acrylic scraping tools are available from an acrylic sheet distributor. Hand scraping is an alternative to sanding for preparing the edges for polishing. Used in conjunction with flame polishing, high luster edges are achieved, but without the smoothness of sanded and polished edges.

Milled Edge The acrylic is run through a high-speed joiner for a frosted edge which produces a “modern look” – a low-cost finish with no saw cuts.

Flame Polishing The edges are milled and then pass an 800° F flame over the edge to a high luster – great for the typical acrylic application such as a tabletop. It is important to remove the protective masking from the material's edge when flame polishing. The flame should be bluish, nearly invisible, approximately 3" (75mm) long and narrow. Do not clean flame polished acrylic with Windex, alcohol, or any ammoniated cleaners.  Remember that when flame polishing, the sudden heating of the sheet induces a high degree of stress. After flame polishing, be sure to anneal the part. This will decrease the amount of stress and reduce or prevent the chance of crazing over time.

Machine Polishing Machine polishing is a low cost and low-stress polishing for thicker acrylic. It is ok to silkscreen the material during the process.

Hand Polishing Hand polishing is done by milling the edges to remove saw cuts, then sanding through four different grits of wet-dry sandpaper, then buffing with a cutting polish, then buffing with a fine polish. The result is a stunning Museum quality edge finish.

Edge Styles

Full Beveled Edge A bevel is typically used to soften the edge of a piece for the sake of safety, wear resistance, or aesthetics; or to facilitate mating with another piece.

Half Beveled Edge A bevel is typically used to soften the edge of a piece for the sake of safety, wear resistance, or aesthetics; or to facilitate mating with another piece.

Roundover Edge A smooth curved edge stopping halfway down the edge.

Bullnose Edge A roundover of the top and bottom edges.

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