Custom Cut Acrylic & Laser Services in Los Angeles

We stock clear, white, black, and colored acrylic sheets (1/8" & 1/4") and cut to your exact dimensions. Laser cutting, engraving, custom signs, and plastic fabrication — all in Downtown LA.

Layered acrylic 'The Acrylic Shop' decorative sign in red, white, blue and black
Location 1319 S. Los Angeles St, DTLA
Hours Mon–Fri, 10 AM–6 PM
Turnaround A Few Business Days
Minimum Order $65 for laser services

What We Do

Full-service acrylic and plastic fabrication — from raw sheet to finished product.

Laser Cutting

  • Precision CO₂ laser cutting
  • Flame-polished edges on cast acrylic
  • Thicknesses from 1/16" to 3/4"
  • Vector files: AI, DXF, SVG, PDF
  • Same-day quotes

Laser Engraving

  • Detailed text, logos & artwork
  • Frosted white effect on clear acrylic
  • Perfect for edge-lit LED signs
  • Raster & vector engraving
  • Trophies, awards & plaques

Fabrication & Signs

  • Custom acrylic signs & displays
  • Heat bending & forming
  • Solvent bonding & assembly
  • Hardware installation
  • Retail & trade show displays

Acrylic Laser Cutting in Los Angeles

CO₂ lasers vaporize cast acrylic cleanly, producing flame-polished edges that often need zero post-processing.

Cast vs. Extruded Acrylic

Cast acrylic (PMMA) has a higher molecular weight than extruded. The laser beam melts and vaporizes it more uniformly, leaving glass-clear edges. It's the preferred choice for most cutting and engraving applications — especially edge-lit LED signs.

Extruded acrylic is less expensive and cuts faster, but can leave slightly gummier edges. It works well for larger projects where edge quality is less critical.

Acrylic Applications

  • Signage & retail displays
  • Trade show & menu boards
  • Enclosures & boxes
  • Architectural elements & panels
  • Art, design & prototyping
  • Trophies, awards & plaques

Thicknesses We Stock

Thickness Common Uses
1/16" (1.5mm)Overlays, thin parts
1/8" (3mm)Signs, displays — most popular
1/4" (6mm)Enclosures, awards, structural
3/8" (9mm)Thick panels, heavy signage
1/2"–3/4"Specialty projects

Note: Avoid polycarbonate (Lexan) on CO₂ lasers — it discolors and produces toxic fumes.

Need Finished Custom Signs?

We supply the cut acrylic — our sister studio handles full sign fabrication and assembly.

Acrylic Shop LA specializes in precision material cutting. For finished reception logos, dimensional letters, backlit panels, wayfinding signage, and retail displays, visit Signs by A.L.C. — same building, same team, dedicated sign studio.

Visit Signs by ALC ↗

Plastic Laser Cutting

We cut a wide range of laser-safe plastics — not just acrylic.

Different plastics behave very differently under a CO₂ laser. Some cut cleanly; others are dangerous. Here's a quick guide to what we can and can't cut:

Laser-Safe Plastics We Cut

  • Acrylic (PMMA) — clean edges, great for signs and displays
  • Delrin (acetal/POM) — clean white edges, minimal fumes, excellent for mechanical parts, self-lubricating
  • ABS — cuts acceptably, some odor, good for enclosures
  • PETG — can cut but edges may be rougher
  • HDPE — thinner sheets only, test first

⚠ Never Laser These Plastics

  • PVC / vinyl — produces toxic chlorine gas
  • Polycarbonate (Lexan) — discolors, fumes
  • Any chlorine-containing plastic

Plastic Applications

  • Mechanical parts, jigs & fixtures
  • Nameplates & labels
  • Gaskets & spacers
  • Prototype parts
  • Custom enclosures
  • Display components

Not sure if your material is laser-safe? Bring a small sample and we'll test it. We stock Delrin and ABS in addition to our full acrylic inventory.

Plastic thicknesses up to 1/2" depending on type. Always best to test unfamiliar plastics with a small sample first.

Ask About Your Material

Materials In Stock

Buy cut-to-size sheets or bring your own. We maintain a large in-house inventory.

Clear Acrylic

Cast clear acrylic in 1/8" and 1/4" thickness. Ideal for displays, edge-lit signs, and any application requiring transparency.

White & Black Acrylic

Opaque cast acrylic in white and black. Popular for signage, displays, and engraving (white on black engraves to bright white).

Colored Acrylic

Wide selection of cast colored acrylic sheets. Custom colors available on request — or bring your own specialty material.

Delrin / Acetal

Engineering plastic ideal for mechanical components, jigs, and fixtures. Machines and lasers beautifully — self-lubricating.

ABS Plastic

Versatile engineering plastic for enclosures and prototypes. We stock standard black and white ABS sheets.

Bring Your Own

You're welcome to supply your own material. Contact us first to confirm it's laser-safe and compatible with our equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What thickness of acrylic can you cut?

We cut acrylic from 1/16" to 3/4" thick. Thicker acrylic requires slower speeds but produces equally clean edges.

Do you stock acrylic or do I need to supply it?

We stock clear, white, black, and colored acrylic in common thicknesses. You're also welcome to bring your own material.

What is the difference between cast and extruded acrylic?

Cast acrylic produces cleaner, flame-polished edges when laser cut and is preferred for most applications. Extruded is less expensive and works well for larger projects where edge quality is less critical.

What file formats do you accept?

We accept AI, DXF, SVG, and PDF vector files for cutting. High-resolution JPG, PNG, or TIFF images are accepted for engraving.

Can you engrave on acrylic?

Yes. Laser engraving on acrylic creates a frosted white effect — especially striking on clear acrylic when backlit with LEDs.

What is the turnaround time?

Standard turnaround is a few business days. Rush service is available. Large orders may require additional time.

Is there a project minimum?

$65 project minimum for laser cutting services. Rental, repair, and training are priced separately.

Can you bend and assemble acrylic pieces?

Yes. We offer heat bending, solvent bonding, and hardware assembly as part of our fabrication services.

How much does laser cutting cost?

Pricing depends on material, complexity, and quantity. $65 project minimum. Email your files for a free quote.

Can you cut plastics other than acrylic?

Yes — we cut Delrin, ABS, PETG, and other laser-safe plastics. We never cut PVC, polycarbonate, or chlorine-containing materials.

Ready to Start Your Project?

$65 project minimum. Fast turnaround. Professional results. Get a free quote today.