Engravable Plastics

Metals

Matte

Lexan

Textured

Ultra-Matte

Painted

Thickness

.020", .032, .062"

.020", .032, .062", .125"

020",

(.010" Special order)

.062", .125"

.032", .062", .125"

N/A

Surface texture

Varies from smooth to slight grain texture and from matte to glossy.

Smooth, non reflective, not glossy.

Matte/velvet, slightest texture .0005”

Textured with peaks and valleys .010” on depth

Smooth with non-glossy finish

As painted

Surface Engraved

Front Engraved

Front Engraved

Reverse Engraved

Front Engraved

Reverse Engraved

Front Engraved

Scratch

Resistance

Medium

Medium

Excellent

Very Good

Medium

Very Good

Compressibility

Medium

Medium

Excellent

Medium

Low

Depends on paint

Hiding finger

prints

Mostly poor

Medium

Excellent

Excellent

Medium

Excellent

Contrast of

text

Medium to Poor

Excellent

Medium

Excellent

Very Good

Excellent

Colors

available

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Good

Good

Excellent

Multiple text

Colors in same piece

None

Very Limited

Excellent

None

Excellent

Very Limited

The Pros and Cons are very subjective to each application

Metals

Matte

Lexan

Textured

Ultra-Matte

Painted

Pros

This material varies widely on all aspects depending on the color and surface texture

Super sharp contrast between text and color. Great for use in night/ IFR flight readability and low cabin lighting.

Excellent in most areas. Tuff as nails in durability. Multiple colors in one placard.

Durable, hides most scratches and all finger prints

Very clean, sharp text. Multiple colors in one placard.

Looks as if it came from the factory as original equipment. Exact match to your paint colors.

Cons

This material varies widely on all aspects depending on the color and surface texture

Does not have the highest scratch resistance

Contrast MAY be a concern in low light / night flight

Limited colors, does not come in a thickness thinner than .062”.

Limited colors, does not come thinner. Scratches and dents moderately.

You have to paint the panel before it's engraved.

When choosing colors, remember that black goes with all the instruments and radios. Trying to match our plastic to your interior color scheme can be very frustrating. The shade and tones are nearly impossible to match exactly. A gray paint color with a hint of red looks nothing like one that has a green or blue tone, even though they are all gray.