Compression molded vs. raised UV print

The fastest-growing substitution in the ADA sign market.

Raised UV print — also called UV-3D print or direct-to-substrate — builds raised characters from stacked layers of UV-cured ink sitting on top of an acrylic panel. It is fast, flexible, and increasingly how sign shops produce ADA product in-house. It is also a fundamentally different product than compression molded acrylic.

Compression Molded (CMA)

Characters formed from the acrylic itself under heat and pressure
Nothing applied — nothing to peel, chip, or delaminate
Interior and exterior rated with no performance penalty
Lifetime warranty
Braille domed integrally — consistent tactile profile

Raised UV print

Ink layers stacked on top of the substrate surface
Applied construction — subject to chipping and delamination over time
Performance in exterior or high-traffic environments varies
Warranty terms vary by manufacturer and application
Braille profile depends on ink layer consistency

The difference is invisible in a spec document and visible under the fingertips. A building owner who specifies ADA signage expects it to last the life of the building. Compression molded acrylic is the only construction method with a warranty that matches that expectation.

Feel the difference — request a sample Back to Why Compression Molded