- Key points for selecting frosted acrylic board
- Source： Hits：68 Date：2026-08-13
Core points for selecting frosted acrylic board (matte acrylic)
Matte acrylic can be divided into single-sided frosted, double-sided frosted, as well as front frosted/back frosted (key for backlighting). It is commonly known as matte acrylic or diffusion board in the market. When choosing, it is important to consider the material, process, parameters, and avoiding pitfalls one by one
1、 First distinguish the category, don't buy the wrong one
Extrusion board (EX) has a low price, uneven frosted texture on the surface, large fluctuations in light transmission, and large thickness tolerances, making it suitable for ordinary partitions and simple decoration; Not suitable for lightbox backlighting.
CAST board has uniform density, fine sandblasting, good consistency of light transmission, standard thickness, stronger weather resistance, and is preferred for high-end display and backlight panels.
⚠️ For backlit scenes (lightboxes, illuminated characters, ceiling light slots), optical grade frosted/acrylic diffusion boards are preferred. Ordinary decorative frosted boards are prone to light bead spots.
2、 Matte surface differentiation (very easy to step on)
Single sided frosted: one side smooth, one side frosted ✅ Usage suggestion: The light should face the light source, the frosted surface should face outward, and the light should diffuse through the substrate, resulting in fewer light spots; Conversely, it is easy to leave fingerprints and scratches.
Double sided frosted: Both sides are matte, with a soft touch, suitable for partitions and baffles. Backlighting is not recommended as it results in higher light transmission loss. Additional distinction: Surface physical sanding (mechanical sandblasting) vs. coating sanding Coating sanding: Low price products are mostly available, with a layer of matte coating on the surface. Hard objects will be exposed when scratched, and long-term heating can easily cause delamination; Preferred integrated substrate sandblasting (extruded native matte/board surface sandblasting treatment), with no risk of film peeling off.
3、 Light transmittance&haze (choose as needed)
Table
Recommended parameters for usage scenarios
Light diffusion, soft film lightbox, ceiling emitting high haze, moderate light transmission (70%~82%), eliminating light bead spots
Office partitions, screens, doors and windows cover privacy with high haze and low light transmission (30%~60%), making it difficult to see the contours clearly
Display cover, semi transparent decoration with haze, light transmission of over 80%, soft and hazy effect
Simple self-test: Hold the phone flashlight tightly against the back of the board, with a distance of 30cm. Observation: The high-quality board has even light; Poor quality boards have bright and dark stripes, and local light transmission fluctuates.
4、 Thickness and tolerance
Common thickness: 2/3/4/5/6/8/10mm
Casting plate: tolerance within ± 0.2mm;
Low cost extruded board: tolerance can reach ± 0.5~1mm, and large-area assembly may result in unevenness.
For large-area boards (>1.2m), it is recommended to thicken them by ≥ 5mm to prevent slight bending deformation.
5、 Appearance quality inspection (mandatory upon receipt)
Board surface: free of scratches, pitting, bubbles, crystal dots, and brushed stripes; The frosted texture is uniform, without any coarse or fine patches.
Protective film: intact PE protective film, poor quality board protective film is thin and easy to stick, and residual adhesive is difficult to clean after tearing off.
Edge: Cut neatly without a large number of broken edges; The edges of sandblasted boards generally do not have obvious white fractures.
Color difference: When multiple sheets of the same batch are stacked and observed, the haze should not be darker on one sheet and lighter on the other.
6、 Key focus on performance requirements
For weather resistance requirements (outdoor use), UV resistant acrylic must be selected. Ordinary frosted boards are prone to yellowing and fogging after six months of outdoor use; Indoor standard version is sufficient.
Heat resistant scenes (closely attached to LED light strips and spotlights) away from coated frosted boards, which are prone to peeling at high temperatures; Prioritize native matte diffusion acrylic, continuously resistant to high temperatures and not easily aged.
The anti fingerprint requirement is that ordinary frosted still sticks fingerprints; If anti fingerprint is required, choose extra anti fingerprint coated frosted acrylic. The native frosted does not come with anti fingerprint.
7、 Consider size, processing, and installation in advance
Customize the entire board as much as possible to reduce splicing; Splicing gaps will significantly affect the aesthetic appearance of the matte surface.
Bending and hot bending are required: Confirm that the merchant's board supports hot bending; The frosted coating is prone to delamination during hot bending.
Drilling: Casting board drilling is not prone to edge breakage; Low price extruded boards are prone to cracking when perforated.
8、 Common Pit Avoidance Checklist
❌ Don't confuse: frosted acrylic ≠ PC diffusion board PC endurance board is softer and more flame retardant; Acrylic has high hardness and better transparency, and the two cannot be replaced arbitrarily. ❌ Low price coated frosted board should be used with caution in lighting and high-temperature environments ❌ Do not blindly pursue ultra-high transmittance for backlighting, as insufficient haze will result in the emission of light beads and dots ❌ Do not use steel wire balls or hard brushes to clean the frosted surface, as it may cause permanent scratches
Quick selection summary
Indoor partition decoration: single-sided/double-sided native sandblasted cast frosted acrylic; LED light box, luminous ceiling: optical grade native matte acrylic diffusion board (glossy light source); Outdoor use: add UV anti-aging formula; Budget limited, short-term decoration: extrude single-sided frosted board to avoid high temperature environment.
