{"id":3618,"date":"2026-10-21T13:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T05:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/?p=3618"},"modified":"2026-10-21T13:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T05:53:58","slug":"how-to-prevent-scratches-on-an-acrylic-standee-4877-6719fe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/21\/how-to-prevent-scratches-on-an-acrylic-standee-4877-6719fe\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prevent scratches on an acrylic standee?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an acrylic standee supplier, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how easily those crisp, popular pieces can get ruined\u2014especially for small business owners, event planners, and brand marketers who rely on them for displays, product launches, or social media activations. Last quarter, a customer reached out with a heartbroken message: their custom wedding standee had a deep scratch across the face two days before the big event, and they couldn\u2019t afford a replacement in time. That\u2019s when I realized most people underestimate just how scratch-prone acrylic is, and not because the material is flimsy, but because they\u2019re using the wrong care and storage practices. Acrylic (also called plexiglass) is far more durable than glass, lighter, and shatter-resistant\u2014its only real vulnerability is surface damage, which can make a once-perfect standee look worn out in weeks, even days. Acrylic Standee<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t a problem you have to accept, though. Over years of shipping hundreds of thousands of standees and working directly with customers to troubleshoot damage, I\u2019ve pulled together practical, science-backed steps to prevent scratches at every stage: from unboxing and setup to daily use, storage, and even cleaning. Let\u2019s break this down so you can protect your standees and keep them looking sharp as long as possible.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s get the basics right: why do scratches happen to acrylic standees, exactly? Acrylic is a thermoplastic polymer, which means it\u2019s made of long, chained molecules that can bend and reshape, but they\u2019re softer than glass. The hardness of acrylic is measured on the Mohs scale, a 1 to 10 scale where 1 is soft (talc) and 10 is diamond. Standard cast acrylic, the kind we use for most custom standees, clocks in at around Mohs 2 to 3. To put that in perspective, a human fingernail is Mohs 2.5\u2014so a scratch from a fingernail is technically possible, if you\u2019re careless. Other common culprits? Dust, which is full of tiny mineral particles like silica (Mohs 7) that act like tiny pieces of sandpaper; rough cloth used for cleaning; and even common household items like metal utensils, paper with printed ink, or other plastic objects with sharp edges. The good news is that most of these scratches are avoidable with small changes to how you handle your standees.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the moment you take your standee out of the package. This is a huge, often missed window for scratches. When our standees leave our facility, they\u2019re protected with a thin, temporary plastic film on both sides\u2014this film isn\u2019t just for shipping looks, it\u2019s a barrier that catches dust and prevents contact with hard surfaces during transport. The mistake many people make here is peeling the film off immediately, even before they set up the standee. If you do that, any dust that\u2019s settled during shipping can rub against the soft acrylic surface and leave micro-scratches before you even get it to its display spot.<\/p>\n

Our rule for unboxing: leave the film on until you\u2019re ready to place the standee exactly where it will stay. When you do peel the film, do it slowly at a 45-degree angle, not straight up. Peeling at a sharp angle can pull tiny, hard fragments off the film that scratch the acrylic. Also, never handle the standee by its face\u2014grip it only by the edges, and wash your hands first to get rid of any lotions, oils, or dirt. Even hand lotion, which is soft, can leave tiny particles that rub into the acrylic over time. If you notice any dust on the standee while unboxing, don\u2019t wipe it with a cloth right away\u2014use a can of compressed air (the kind used for cleaning computer keyboards) to blow it away. Wiping dust with a dry cloth is like sanding the acrylic; even a microfiber cloth has micro-scratches of its own that can cause damage.<\/p>\n

Next, setup and in-use care, which is where most standees get their biggest scratches. Let\u2019s talk about display surfaces first. A standee sits on a base, so the surface it\u2019s placed on might seem unimportant, but it\u2019s one of the most common hidden damage spots. Imagine putting your standee on a wooden table that has tiny wood splinters, or a countertop crusted with dried coffee grounds\u2014those hard, sharp bits will rub against the bottom edge of your standee every time someone bumps it, or even just from vibrations from a nearby fridge or foot traffic. The fix here is simple: always place a soft, lint-free pad between the standee\u2019s base and the display surface. We recommend 1mm thick adhesive felt pads, the kind you use for furniture feet, cut to the size of the base. This not only prevents scratches but also keeps the standee from sliding around, which is an added bonus for displays in high-traffic areas.<\/p>\n

Another in-use mistake: propping other items against the standee. A lot of event planners will stack flyers, business cards, or even other small stands next to each other, and if their edges are sharp, they can scratch the acrylic. I once had a retail customer whose standee got a scratch from a metal price tag holder someone clipped to it. That\u2019s an easy fix\u2014keep standees at least a few inches away from any adjacent objects, especially ones with hard edges or sharp corners. If you have to attach something to the standee (like a promotional label), use reversible adhesive dots made specifically for acrylic, not duct tape or glue. Strong adhesives can not only scratch the surface when you peel them off, they can also pull the acrylic\u2019s top layer off entirely.<\/p>\n

Cleaning is another area where people ruin their standees without realizing it. Acrylic stands are not like glass\u2014they can get cloudy or scratched if you use window cleaner, paper towels, or any harsh chemicals. Window cleaner has ammonia, which breaks down the acrylic\u2019s surface over time, and paper towels have wood pulp that acts like sandpaper. The right cleaning solution is a simple one: mix 1 part mild dish soap (like Dawn, the kind for hand washing, not concentrated industrial soap) with 10 parts lukewarm water. Never use hot water, as that can warp thin standees. Dip a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth (the same kind you use for eyeglasses, not bath towels) in the solution, wring it out completely until it\u2019s barely damp\u2014too much water can seep into the standee\u2019s edges and cause glue to fail, especially for assembled standees. Wipe the surface in gentle, circular motions, not back and forth, and always with the grain of the acrylic (you can feel the grain if you run your finger lightly over the surface). Rinse with a second damp cloth (clean, no soap) and dry immediately with a soft towel.<\/p>\n

If you notice small, light scratches, don\u2019t panic\u2014they\u2019re almost always surface-level, and they can be removed with a polishing compound designed specifically for acrylic, not car wax or metal polish. Metal polish is too abrasive for acrylic and will make things worse. We sell a premium acrylic polishing compound that works great, but you can also find it at most hardware stores. Test a tiny, hidden area first (like the back of the standee\u2019s edge) to make sure it doesn\u2019t discolor, then apply a small amount of compound with a soft cloth, rub in small circles for 30 seconds, and buff off with a clean part of the cloth. For deeper scratches, you might need to use a fine-grit sandpaper (1200 grit, specifically for acrylic) followed by polishing, but that\u2019s a more advanced fix, so I\u2019d recommend testing that on a spare piece first if you\u2019re new to it.<\/p>\n

Storage is the final, often overlooked stage where scratches happen. If you\u2019re storing standees between events, or saving ones you don\u2019t use often, how you pack them is critical. Never stack standees directly on top of each other\u2014even if they look clean, the edges will rub against the faces and cause scratches. The best way is to wrap each standee in a layer of acid-free tissue paper (regular paper has wood pulp that can scratch) or the same temporary film they came with, then place them vertically in a cardboard box lined with foam or bubble wrap. Never lay them flat, because the weight of multiple standees will warp the thin acrylic, and the edges will dig into the surfaces. If you have to store them in a warehouse or closet, keep them away from any heavy objects that could fall on them, and avoid areas with extreme temperatures\u2014acrylic softens at around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, so don\u2019t store them near radiators or in hot attics.<\/p>\n

I want to add a quick note here: not all acrylic is the same. At our facility, we use cast acrylic for most custom standees, which is denser and more scratch-resistant than extruded acrylic, a cheaper alternative used by some suppliers. Extruded acrylic is softer, more prone to scratching, and more likely to warp, so that\u2019s why we always recommend cast acrylic for standees that need to last. If you\u2019ve had issues with scratch-prone standees in the past, that might be the root cause, not your care practices.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about what happens if a standee does get scratched anyway. As I mentioned earlier, most small, surface scratches are reversible, and a well-maintained standee can last for years. I\u2019ve had customers use our standees at wedding venues, trade shows, and retail displays for over three years with no noticeable scratches\u2014all because they follow these steps. It\u2019s not about being perfect; it\u2019s about small, consistent habits that take 30 seconds more each time you handle your standee.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the market for custom acrylic standees, or you\u2019re looking to replace ones that have gotten damaged, we can help. We work with small businesses, event planners, and brands of all sizes to create durable, high-quality standees that are designed to resist scratches from day one. We use cast acrylic, include protective film on every piece, and can even add a scratch-resistant coating as an optional upgrade for extra protection. Whether you need a single standee for a personal event, or a bulk order for a national marketing campaign, we can tailor a solution that fits your needs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to chat about your acrylic standee needs, whether that\u2019s learning more about care practices, custom designs, or bulk pricing, reach out to our team. We\u2019re here to make sure your standees look as good as the day they\u2019re delivered, no matter how you use them.<\/p>\n

Acrylic Standee<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Acrylic Basics: Properties and Applications, Society of Plastics Engineers, 2021<\/li>\n
  2. Surface Damage Prevention for Thermoplastics, International Acrylic Manufacturers Association, 2022<\/li>\n
  3. Care and Maintenance of Acrylic Displays, National Retail Federation, 2020<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Wenzhou Qumange Craft Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    With abundant experience, we are one of the most professional acrylic standee manufacturers in China. Welcome to wholesale bulk customized acrylic standee at competitive price from our factory. If you have any enquiry about pricelist and free sample, please feel free to email us.
    Address: Room 802, Building A1, Yuehu Light Industrial Park, Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
    E-mail: 13806616181@139.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.qmgcraft.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    As an acrylic standee supplier, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how easily those crisp, popular pieces can get … How to prevent scratches on an acrylic standee?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":3618,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3581],"class_list":["post-3618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-acrylic-standee-46c0-67562d"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3618"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3618\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.tuttlelegal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}