Acrylic risers and display stands

Types of acrylic risers

Bent U risers

A flat blank bent down at both ends makes a bridge-shaped riser with no joints. They're strong for their weight, stack in the box for shipping, and come in nesting sets (for example 4, 6, and 8 in. tall) that slide over one another when they're stored. A 12 × 16 in. blank bent 4 in. from each end gives a riser 12 in. wide, 8 in. deep, and 4 in. tall.

L and Z risers

One bend makes an L riser that leans against a wall or the back of a case; two bends in opposite directions make a Z that lifts the back row of a shelf. Good for books, plates, and framed items.

Stepped displays

Two to four tiers, bonded from flat pieces with solvent cement, for cupcakes, collectibles, shoes, cosmetics, and jewelry. Bonded steps can be any depth and width and carry more weight than a single bend. That's acrylic fabrication work.

Cubes and blocks

Five-sided bonded cubes (open at the bottom) or solid thick blocks are the high-end look for jewelry counters and museum labels. See acrylic display cases for enclosed versions with lids.

What thickness to choose

Thickness depends on span (the unsupported top between legs) and load:

• 3/16 in.: risers up to about 8 in. wide carrying light items such as jewelry, phones, cosmetics, and figurines.
• 1/4 in.: the general-purpose choice up to 16 in. wide; fine for books, bottles, and shoes.
• 3/8 in. and up: wider or heavily loaded tops. These are bonded rather than bent, because we line-bend acrylic only up to 1/4 in.

For heavier loads, check the sag in our shelf sag calculator; a riser top behaves like a short shelf.

How we make it

We laser-cut the blank so the edges are glossy, then heat it along each bend line and form it over a jig so every riser in a set comes out at the same height and angle. Bends have a small inside radius, which is stronger than a sharp corner. More on bending at acrylic bending.

Colors and finishes

Clear is the default because it lets the product be the star. White and black risers are useful for contrast: black under silver jewelry, white under dark bottles. Frosted gives a soft, gallery look and hides scuffs from items being slid on and off. Mirror tops (1/8 in., bonded onto a clear riser) add sparkle for cosmetics and fragrance.

Design tips

• Stagger heights in a set by at least 2 in. so each level reads separately.
• Keep legs at least 1 in. shorter than the shelf height above so customers can lift products off.
• Add a small lip (a third bend) at the front edge for round items that might roll.
• For a bakery, check with your food-safety inspector; clear sheet from major makers is stated to meet FDA 21 CFR 177.1010, but colored sheet generally isn't, and food usually sits on a liner or in packaging anyway.

Enter the flat size in the instant quote, or describe the display you have in mind.

Questions