You need a clear answer for your exhibit material decision. For most projects, acrylic is your best all-around choice. It provides an optimal balance of features. PETG and glass serve as powerful, specialized alternatives for specific needs.
Expert Tip 💡 This guide empowers you to navigate the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG choice. You can confidently select the right material by weighing critical factors like durability, cost, weight, safety, and design flexibility for your next project.
Head-to-Head: Acrylic vs Glass vs PETG
You need to understand the specific strengths and weaknesses of each material. This direct comparison breaks down the key factors to guide your decision. The choice in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG debate depends entirely on your project's unique demands.
Durability and Impact Resistance
Your exhibit components must withstand the rigors of transport and high-traffic event floors. PETG is the champion of impact resistance. It is 5 to 7 times stronger than acrylic, making it virtually unbreakable. This makes PETG an excellent choice for unprotected displays, interactive kiosks, or any element in a busy area.
Acrylic, while very durable, is not as impact-resistant as PETG. However, it offers a key advantage in surface hardness. You will find that acrylic resists scratches better than PETG.
Material Hardness Comparison 📝 This table shows how easily each material can be scratched.
Material
Scratch Resistance
PETG
Softer than acrylic and scratches more easily.
Acrylic
More scratch resistant than PETG, though it can still be scratched.
Glass is the most fragile of the three. It can shatter on impact, posing a significant safety risk in a crowded exhibit hall. Its use requires careful placement and consideration.
Weight and Portability
Weight directly impacts your shipping costs, installation labor, and the structural requirements of your booth. Both acrylic and PETG are lightweight plastics. They offer a significant advantage over glass. A lighter display is easier to transport, faster to set up, and requires less heavy-duty support.
Notice the dramatic weight difference in the table below. A standard 6mm sheet of acrylic weighs less than half as much as a glass panel of the same size. This makes it a clear winner for modular and traveling exhibits.
Material | Thickness (mm) | Weight per m² (kg) |
|---|---|---|
Acrylic | 7.2 | |
Glass | 6 | 15 |
Cost-Effectiveness and ROI
Your budget is a critical factor. Acrylic is generally more affordable upfront than PETG. This makes it a popular choice for projects with tight budget constraints. However, you should consider the total cost of ownership.
PETG's higher initial cost is due to its superior impact resistance. This durability can lead to a better long-term return on investment (ROI). PETG fixtures can have a lifespan of 5-7 years, even in demanding environments. You may spend less on repairs and replacements over time. The decision between acrylic and PETG often comes down to balancing initial cost against long-term durability.
Visual Clarity and Aesthetics
The visual appeal of your exhibit is paramount. You want your products and graphics to look their best. Acrylic provides exceptional optical clarity. It allows up to 92% of light to pass through, which is often clearer than standard glass. Modern acrylic formulations also resist yellowing, maintaining their clarity for years indoors.
PETG is also very clear, but its light transmittance is slightly lower than acrylic's. Glass offers excellent clarity, especially low-iron varieties.
Material | Light Transmittance |
|---|---|
Optical-grade Acrylic | 92% |
PETG Sheets | 86% – 90% |
Low-iron Glass | 92% or more |
Another factor is the refractive index, which affects how light bends through the material. Acrylic has a refractive index of 1.49. This gives it a brilliant, crystal-clear appearance without the green tint often seen in standard glass. The ongoing Acrylic vs glass vs PETG discussion often highlights acrylic's superior aesthetics for display cases.
Fabrication and Design Flexibility
Your design vision may require complex shapes, curves, and polished finishes. This is where fabrication differences become important.
Bending: PETG is very flexible and can be cold-bent, allowing you to create curves on-site without special heating equipment. Acrylic requires heat to be bent (thermoforming) and has a much larger minimum bend radius.
Polishing: You can polish the edges of acrylic to a high-gloss, transparent finish that looks like glass. PETG edges, however, cannot be polished to this same shiny state.
Forming: Both plastics can be cut, drilled, and routed easily. PETG's strength makes it more forgiving during fabrication, reducing the risk of cracking.
When you need to create intricate shapes or durable outdoor displays, PETG is a strong contender. You can add UV stabilizers to PETG to improve its performance and help it maintain clarity in environments with high sun exposure.
Scenario-Based Exhibit Recommendations
You have seen the head-to-head comparison. Now, let's apply that knowledge to real-world exhibit scenarios. This section gives you clear guidance on when to select each material, helping you move from theory to confident decision-making.
When to Choose Acrylic
You should choose acrylic when visual brilliance and cost-effectiveness are your top priorities. It is the ideal material for displays that need to look pristine, vibrant, and high-end without the weight or cost of glass.
Expert Tip 💡 Acrylic is your go-to for creating stunning visual centerpieces. Its optical clarity makes it perfect for showcasing products and graphics with maximum impact.
Consider using acrylic for these applications:
Illuminated Displays and Lightboxes: Acrylic is a modern and versatile solution for creating bright, attractive displays. You can use it for hanging advertisements, general signs, and showcasing art. Its ability to diffuse light evenly makes it perfect for:
Opal Acrylic LED Lightboxes: These offer super brightness and a modern look for event signs.
Round or Cube Lightboxes: You can use these for custom, attention-grabbing signs at trade shows or parties. Their 3D designs and custom shapes can match your branding perfectly.
Large Rectangular Lightboxes: These are excellent for large advertisements where you need your message to be visible from a distance.
Product Display Cases (Vitrines): When you need a crystal-clear view of your products, acrylic provides a glass-like appearance with better durability and lighter weight.
High-End Signage: You can use acrylic for business signage to promote your brand or display menus. The polished edges and brilliant surface create a premium feel.
Protective Barriers: For registration desks or information counters, acrylic offers a clear, cleanable, and professional-looking barrier.
When to Choose PETG
You should select PETG when your exhibit components face high-traffic conditions or require complex shaping. Its superior durability makes it the ultimate choice for elements that might get bumped, moved, or handled frequently.
The debate of Acrylic vs glass vs PETG often ends here if extreme toughness is non-negotiable.
✅ Key PETG Applications:
High-Traffic Interactive Kiosks: If you expect visitors to touch and interact with a display, PETG's impact resistance protects your investment.
Food and Beverage Sampling Stations: PETG is an excellent choice for food-related displays. It is often certified by major organizations, ensuring it is safe for contact with food.
Constructed of FDA-compliant materials.
Certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
Approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Complex Thermoformed Components: PETG's flexibility allows you to create unique shapes that grab attention. You can thermoform it into dynamic components for:
Retail Displays: Create eye-catching, custom forms to hold specific products.
Point-of-Purchase (POP) Displays: Its lightweight durability is perfect for freestanding, countertop, or hanging displays that need to stand out.
Protective Covers for Equipment: Use PETG to shield valuable electronics or machinery on the show floor. It can withstand accidental impacts far better than acrylic.
When to Choose Glass
You should reserve glass for specific, high-end applications where permanence, luxury, and scratch resistance are the most important factors. It is best suited for static, permanent installations rather than traveling exhibits.
💎 When Glass is the Right Choice:
Luxury Brand Activations: For premium brands, the weight and cool touch of glass can convey a sense of unmatched quality. Museums and luxury retailers often use it for this reason. For example, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam uses low-iron glass in its entrance to ensure perfect color rendering and a prestigious feel.
Permanent Architectural Elements: If you are building permanent structures within a convention center or showroom, glass is a classic choice. Building codes, including the International Building Code (IBC), often require tempered glass for safety in public areas.
Safety First! 🛡️ You must use tempered glass for railings, barriers, and doors in high-traffic zones. It shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the risk of injury.
High-End Display Shelving: In a controlled environment, glass shelves offer superior scratch resistance and a timeless look that plastic cannot replicate.
Ultimately, your final decision in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG choice depends on balancing your project's specific needs for aesthetics, durability, and budget.
You now have the insights to solve the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG puzzle. For most 2025 exhibits, acrylic delivers the best mix of clarity, cost, and style. Choose PETG for its unbeatable durability and eco-friendly profile, aligning with the industry's shift toward sustainability. Reserve glass for permanent, luxury installations.
Your Next Step 🚀 Use this guide to confidently specify your materials. You can now create a visually stunning exhibit that meets your budget and withstands the demands of any event.
FAQ
Which material is best for outdoor exhibits?
You should choose PETG for outdoor applications. When you add UV stabilizers, PETG resists yellowing and damage from sun exposure. Its durability also helps it withstand weather conditions better than acrylic or glass, making it a reliable choice for long-term outdoor displays.
Can you print graphics directly on these materials?
Yes, you can print graphics on all three materials. You will find that acrylic and PETG are excellent for direct UV printing. This process creates vibrant, durable images perfect for branding, logos, and detailed signage directly on the surface of your exhibit components.
Which material is the most eco-friendly?
PETG is the most environmentally friendly option among the plastics. You can easily recycle it. This makes PETG a great choice if sustainability is a key goal for your brand. It aligns with the growing industry focus on creating greener exhibits.
How should you clean these materials?
Proper cleaning preserves the look of your displays. You must use the right method for each material to avoid damage.
Cleaning Guide 🧼
Acrylic & PETG: Use a soft microfiber cloth with mild soap and water. You should never use ammonia-based cleaners like Windex, as they can cause cracking.
Glass: You can use standard glass cleaners for a streak-free shine.
