Canal Plastics Center provides professional acrylic heat bending and forming services in NYC, offering precise bends, clean lines, and smooth radiused forms for displays, shelves, brackets, product stands, signage, and custom fabrication. From simple right-angle bends to multi-bend components, our team can shape acrylic sheets into functional and presentation-ready pieces with clean, consistent results.
Heat-formed acrylic is ideal for retail fixtures, museum components, risers, point-of-purchase displays, architectural models, and custom presentation pieces. We work with clear, colored, frosted, and specialty acrylics in a range of thicknesses, and every project is completed in our SoHo shop with attention to accuracy and finish.
Ready to start a bending project? Submit a custom order request or email us
We provide fast, precise heat bending with true New York turnaround times. Our team understands the requirements of retail installations, galleries, students, designers, and production studios working on tight timelines. Each bend is formed along a controlled heating line to ensure clean transitions, minimal distortion, and consistent angles. Whether your project requires a single bend or a series of sequential bends, we shape each piece with accuracy and care.
Our experience in fabrication allows us to integrate bending with cutting, routing, polishing, and assembly. This means your entire project can be handled within one workflow, ensuring proper alignment, clean edges, and a professional finish.
We offer standard right-angle bends, angle bends, and multi-bend components depending on the design. Simple bends can be produced quickly, while thicker materials or more complex shapes require controlled heating and cooling to maintain clarity and structure. If your design requires polished edges, glued components, or CNC-routed profiles, we can prepare the piece prior to bending to achieve the desired final look.
Many display and presentation elements rely on heat-formed acrylic for both structure and visual appeal. Retail shelves, risers, and product stands use bent acrylic for clean lines and structural strength. Museums often use bent acrylic to create mounts, supports, and unobtrusive display pieces. Designers and studios use bent acrylic for prototypes, signage, fixtures, architectural models, and sculptural components. Photography studios rely on formed acrylic for seamless product risers and set elements.
Whether you’re building a simple stand or a multi-panel display element, heat bending provides shape, durability, and a modern, polished appearance.
To begin, send us your project details including material thickness, bend locations, quantities, dimensions, and any accompanying fabrication steps. You can submit through our custom order form or email us directly. Our team reviews your design, confirms feasibility, and provides a quote with an estimated turnaround time.
During production, each piece is heated along a controlled bending line, then shaped using fixtures or guides to ensure a clean angle. The acrylic is then cooled gradually to maintain clarity and stability. If your design requires additional operations such as trimming, polishing, or bonding, we incorporate these steps before or after bending as needed.
For best results, provide your file at true scale with clearly marked bend locations and measurements. Vector files such as AI, PDF, EPS, SVG, or DXF work best for cut-and-bend projects. If your design requires CNC-routed edges or specific tolerances before bending, we will advise on any adjustments needed for optimal results. If you’re unsure how to mark bends or set up your file, send what you have — our team can help refine or prepare your layout.
Heat bending can be combined with laser cutting, CNC routing, drilling, countersinking, polishing, and acrylic bonding to create fully finished pieces. Many customer projects involve a combination of forming and assembly, and we coordinate all steps to ensure clean alignment and presentation-ready results.
How fast can you complete a heat bending project?
Most single-bend or small-quantity projects can be completed within a few business days. Larger or complex jobs may require additional time.
What thicknesses can be bent?
Most acrylic thicknesses from thin gauge up to thicker display-grade materials can be heat-formed. We’ll confirm feasibility based on your design.
Will bending affect the clarity of the acrylic?
When done correctly, heat bending maintains excellent clarity. Minimal softening or internal stress is normal, but most pieces retain a clean, polished appearance.
Can you bend specialty or mirrored acrylic?
Some specialty materials bend well, while others have limitations. Send us the material type and thickness and we’ll confirm suitability.
Do you ship heat-formed acrylic pieces?
Yes, though certain shapes 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
Edge Polishing
Clear acrylic sheets
Colored acrylic sheets
Submit your pieces through our custom order form email us with your dimensions and finishing preferences.
