Manufacturing

Our cake toppers are engraved and cut based on the design chosen.

First, the acrylic is laser engraved, which produces a frosty appearance in engraved areas. On transparent acrylics, the effect is similar to frosted glass, while on translucent acrylics, the engraved areas turn a much paler version of the acrylic's initial color. Engraving also creates a depth offset -- when you run your finger over the engraving, you'll feel the height difference.

Once engraving is done, your piece is laser cut and shaped. Transparent acrylics cut by laser look entirely different from those cut by a shear or saw; the edges are polished by the heat created by the laser beam, producing a nearly flame-polished look. Better still, laser-cut transparent colors produce vibrant edge glow.

Materials

Our cake toppers are made from a type of plastic typically called "acrylic," a tough, hard-wearing plastic called PMMA, also known as Lucite™, Perspex™, or Plexiglas™*. Acrylic/PMMA is a very safe plastic for this use and many others; instance of allergic reaction is so rare that PMMA is even used in surgical implants and dentures. (Contact lenses were even once made from this material, the older "hard lens" type of contacts.)

Long-term exposure to direct sunlight and weather can cause fading of colors or fogging of transparent acrylics, but these instances are rare; in many cases, acrylic PMMA is the plastic of choice for outdoor applications as it does not readily break down.

It really is amazing stuff. Unlike other plastics, there is no worry about things like BPA or other harmful substances you've heard about in the news. Acrylic PMMA doesn't even have those compounds.

Our acrylic is made in the USA!

Do not clean your acrylic cake topper with any organic solvent or similar compound -- use only soap and water. Organic solvents react poorly with the structural components of acrylic (specifically its hydrolyzed esters) and can destroy the plastic.

*Lucite is a trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Perspex is a trademark of ICI. Plexiglas is a trademark of the Rohm & Haas Company/Dow Chemical Company.