When it comes to showcasing priceless artifacts, contemporary art, and historic collections, presentation and protection are key. That’s why museums and galleries worldwide trust T&T Plastic Land to fabricate high-quality acrylic display cases that provide crystal-clear visibility while ensuring durability, security, and longevity. Our display cases are used in renowned museums and galleries, including the Brooklyn Museum, MoMA, Museum of Sex, Sotheby’s, MAD Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, and many more.
In this blog, we’ll walk through our fabrication process, challenges we face, and why acrylic is the superior choice for museum and gallery displays.
Why Museums & Galleries Choose Acrylic Display Cases
Acrylic display cases are the preferred choice for museums and galleries because they provide the perfect balance of visibility, protection, and design flexibility. Whether used to showcase artwork, sculptures, or historical artifacts, acrylic vitrines ensure that each piece remains the focal point without distractions. They are particularly useful in environments where fragile and valuable pieces require secure, protective enclosures without compromising their aesthetic appeal.
Traditional glass display cases may seem like a natural choice, but acrylic offers several advantages that make it the preferred material in the museum and art world:
- Exceptional Clarity: Acrylic has a light transmission rate of 92%, providing crystal-clear visibility.
- Shatter Resistance: Acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass, making it far safer in public settings.
- Lightweight Yet Durable: Acrylic display cases weigh 50% less than glass, making them easier to transport and install.
- Easy Maintenance: With proper care and polishing, acrylic maintains its pristine appearance for years.
- Customization: Acrylic can be fabricated into any size or shape, allowing for unique, museum-quality display cases.
The Fabrication Process: How We Create Museum-Quality Acrylic Display Cases
Fabricating high-end acrylic vitrines requires precision, craftsmanship, and years of expertise. Here’s how we do it:
Step 1: Hand-Cutting the Acrylic Panels
Every museum display case starts with carefully hand-cutting each side of the vitrine to exact measurements. The precision in this step is critical, as even a minor deviation can affect the entire structure.
Step 2: Edge Sanding for a Smooth Finish
Once the acrylic panels are cut, we sand the edges to remove any rough surfaces or inconsistencies. This step ensures a clean bond when the pieces are joined.
Step 3: Diamond Edge Polishing & Hand Buffing
To achieve a pristine, glass-like finish, every panel goes through our diamond edge polishing machine. This process smooths and polishes the edges, enhancing the clarity and aesthetic appeal of the display case. After machine polishing, we hand buff each piece, ensuring a flawless, museum-quality shine.
Step 4: Acrylic Welding
Once the panels are prepped, we use acrylic adhesive and applicators to chemically weld the acrylic pieces together. Unlike traditional glue, Sci-Grip bonds the acrylic at a molecular level, creating a strong joint.
Step 5: Quality Control & Final Inspection
Each display case is inspected for structural integrity, clarity, and finish quality. Our team ensures there are no scratches, or imperfections, and that the case is ready for museum and gallery installation.
Custom Sizes & Large-Scale Display Cases
At T&T Plastic Land, we fabricate display cases in a variety of sizes, ranging from small, tabletop vitrines (12” x 10” x 12” H) to massive, floor-standing cases (30” x 30” x 96” H). Since we have full control over fabrication, we can accommodate custom requests and special exhibit requirements.
Challenges in Museum Display Fabrication & How We Overcome Them
1. Meeting Tight Deadlines
Museums and galleries often have strict exhibit opening dates, meaning display cases must be fabricated and delivered on schedule. Our team works efficiently to meet these deadlines without compromising quality.
2. Preventing Scratches During Handling
Since acrylic is softer than glass, scratches can occur if not handled properly. To prevent damage:
- Our Acrylic has protective film on all surfaces during fabrication and transport.
- Display cases are wrapped and packaged carefully to avoid surface contact.
- Our staff is trained in safe handling techniques to maintain pristine conditions.
3. Ensuring Structural Stability for Large Cases
- We use thicker acrylic sheets for tall vitrines.
- Reinforcements are added when necessary.
- Each case undergoes rigorous quality checks before delivery.
Common Uses of Museum Display Cases
Acrylic display cases serve a variety of purposes in museums and galleries. Some of the most common applications include:
1. Displaying Artwork
Acrylic vitrines are commonly used to house paintings, framed prints, and paper-based artwork. These cases provide a protective barrier against dust, fingerprints, and environmental contaminants while ensuring complete visibility of the artwork inside.
2. Showcasing Sculptures & Installations
Three-dimensional works, such as sculptures and contemporary art installations, benefit from custom-sized acrylic cases. Whether the sculpture is small enough for a tabletop or large enough for a gallery centerpiece, acrylic display cases provide a sleek, modern enclosure that enhances the viewing experience while safeguarding the artwork.
3. Protecting Historical Artifacts & Antiques
Museums often use acrylic cases to store and exhibit historical artifacts, rare manuscripts, and antique collectibles. These cases prevent physical damage and environmental exposure, preserving the integrity of delicate or aged materials.
4. Exhibition & Rotating Collections
Because of their lightweight nature and adaptability, acrylic display cases are ideal for rotating exhibits in museums and galleries. They can be easily moved, rearranged, or repurposed to accommodate new collections or temporary displays.
5. Displaying Jewelry & Fashion Pieces
Luxury fashion houses and museum exhibitions often showcase designer jewelry, textiles, and accessories in acrylic cases to enhance the visual impact while ensuring security. High-end pieces require clear, protective enclosures that allow viewers to admire intricate craftsmanship without direct handling.
In the photo above, these are 30" x 30" x 96" (H) display cases, wrapped in protective papering with foam corner guards. This is how they are prepared for delivery.Notable Clients & Museums That Trust T&T Plastic Land
Our expertise in museum-quality acrylic fabrication has led us to work with some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world. Some of our notable clients include:
- Brooklyn Museum
- MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
- Museum of Sex
- Sotheby’s
- MAD Museum (Museum of Arts and Design)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- And many more!
Each of these institutions relies on our expertise to protect and showcase their collections with display cases that meet museum standards.
Why T&T Plastic Land is the Leader in Acrylic Museum Display Cases
For decades, T&T Plastic Land has been the go-to expert for museum and gallery display cases. Here’s why institutions trust us:
- Unmatched Expertise: We specialize in custom acrylic fabrication with precision craftsmanship.
- Top-Quality Materials: We use only the best optical-grade acrylic.
- Customization Capabilities: Any size, shape, or design can be fabricated to match exhibit needs.
- Fast Turnaround Times: We meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
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Safe & Secure Handling: Our team ensures scratch-free, pristine display cases with expert packaging and delivery.
Conclusion
From art galleries to world-renowned museums, T&T Plastic Land continues to be the industry leader in acrylic display case fabrication. Our meticulous fabrication process, ability to handle large-scale projects, and commitment to quality make us the top choice for museum and gallery professionals.
If you need custom acrylic display cases for an upcoming exhibition or museum installation, contact T&T Plastic Land today and let us create a solution tailored to your needs.
