Canal Plastics Center provides professional acrylic edge polishing and finishing services in NYC for artists, galleries, designers, retail displays, product presentation, and fabrication projects. Polished edges transform raw-cut acrylic into clean, glass-like surfaces with improved clarity, shine, and presentation quality. Whether you're preparing a display case, retail riser, architectural model, or custom-cut component, our polishing services bring your acrylic to a professional finish.
Every piece is polished in-house at our SoHo shop with attention to clarity, smoothness, accuracy, and consistency. We work with clear, colored, frosted, and specialty acrylics in a range of thicknesses. Most polishing projects can be completed within a short turnaround depending on scale and detail.
Ready to start a polishing project? Submit a custom order request or email us
Our team has decades of experience finishing acrylic pieces for retail installations, exhibitions, photography studios, galleries, and creative projects across NYC. Polished edges elevate the visual quality of acrylic, making it suitable for presentation, high-end fabrication, and customer-facing applications. We routinely finish pieces with museum-grade clarity, smooth seams, and consistent edge profiles. Because all cutting, routing, and polishing can be completed in the same shop, your project benefits from cohesive handling, careful inspection, and smooth workflow.
Customers choose Canal Plastics because we understand the standards required for display fabrication—clear edges, straight lines, uniform bevels when needed, and strong structural bonding when combined with assembly. Whether the piece is laser cut, CNC routed, or hand-fabricated, we match the finish to the desired look and application.
We provide several levels of finishing depending on the project. High-gloss polishing results in a glossy, glass-like finish ideal for display cases, pedestals, retail risers, and presentation pieces. Satin, matte or sanded finishing is available when a soft, diffused look is preferred.
If your acrylic requires additional shaping before polishing, such as routing, beveling, or deburring, our team can incorporate these steps into the workflow. Thicker materials benefit especially from mechanical finishing, producing edges that are smooth, refined, and visually clear from multiple viewing angles.
Acrylic edge polishing enhances the visual and structural quality of many types of work. Display cases, risers, plinths, and museum components gain clarity and a clean presentation. Product photography pieces, signage, and architectural models appear more professional with polished edges. Retail environments rely on polished finishes for fixtures, shelves, display blocks, and custom components used in merchandising. Artists frequently use polished acrylic for sculptures, light-based works, and installations where clarity and reflectivity matter.
Whether your goal is to elevate a single piece or to complete a larger production run with consistent finishing, we can assist with the required specifications.
To begin, send us your project details, including dimensions, thickness, quantity, and whether the acrylic will also require cutting or routing. You may submit everything through our custom order form or by emailing us directly. Once received, our team reviews the scope, confirms material compatibility, and provides a quote along with estimated turnaround time.
During production, each piece is inspected before and after polishing to ensure clarity, smoothness, and uniformity. If your project includes assembly, bonding, or additional finishing steps, these can be integrated to ensure your final pieces present as a cohesive whole. When your polishing project is complete, you can pick it up from our SoHo shop or arrange to have it shipped.
For the best results, pieces intended for polishing should be cut cleanly and accurately. Laser-cut edges respond well to polishing but may require additional preparation for thicker materials. CNC-routed parts polish beautifully when the appropriate bit profile is used. If your file or material might require special handling, feel free to send us a message and we will advise on the best finishing approach.
If your acrylic will be bonded into a case, box, or multi-panel assembly, polished edges may be required only on exposed faces rather than internal seams. Our team can help identify exactly which edges should be polished based on your design.
We offer a full range of fabrication services that pair naturally with polishing. These include custom cutting, CNC routing, laser cutting, heat bending, drilling, countersinking, and bonding using professional acrylic cements. Many projects require a combination of cutting and finishing steps to produce a final polished piece. If your project involves multiple operations, include the full scope in your inquiry so we can coordinate production seamlessly.
How long does acrylic edge polishing take?
Most polishing projects are completed within several business days, depending on quantity, thickness, and finishing level.
What type of acrylic polishes best?
Clear cast acrylic provides the best clarity and polished finish. Extruded acrylic can be polished but may not achieve the same optical quality.
Can you polish only certain edges?
Yes. We can polish specific edges or sides depending on which faces will be visible or exposed in the final presentation.
Do you offer museum-grade polishing?
Yes. We frequently prepare acrylic components for museum installations, gallery displays, and premium retail environments.
Do you ship polished acrylic pieces?
Yes, although thicker or fragile pieces may require special packing or local pickup.
Custom cut acrylic in NYC
Laser cutting services in NYC
CNC routing services in NYC
Acrylic display case fabrication
Clear acrylic sheets
Colored acrylic sheets
Submit your pieces through our custom order form email us with your dimensions and finishing preferences.