A Complete Guide to Buying Export Plastic Sheets

Working directly with an exporter provides a seamless process—especially if you find one that stocks a variety of sizes and thicknesses to suit your needs, has a wide range of materials to choose from, and offers a convenient ordering and delivery process. You also want a company that knows the importance of clear communication to facilitate export plastic ordering and freight delivery needs. However, in order for an export plastic purchase to go smoothly, you also need to know how to choose the right plastic sheets for your project. Here are six steps to help you make the best selection.

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1. Identify the Material Type You Need

When choosing or working with plastic sheets, you first need to determine the right plastic material for your project. Here is a brief overview of materials that Acme Plastics carries and their suggested uses:

1. 1. 1. 1. Acrylic. Acrylic plastic is often used instead of glass in windows, retail signage, aquariums, picture frames, roof panels. The transparent plastic is 50% lighter than glass and much more durable, making it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor applications. Acrylic is available in a variety of forms: extruded sheets, cast acrylic sheets, frame grade acrylic sheets, acrylic rods, and acrylic tubes.
         2. Polycarbonate. Also light in weight, polycarbonate is much more durable and stronger than acrylic, making it highly impact resistant and a good choice for projects that involve bullet-resistant glass, roofing panels, hurricane shutters, windows, and siding. Polycarbonate is available in a variety of forms, including polycarbonate sheets, bullet-resistant sheets, polycarbonate rods, polycarbonate tubes, and twinwall and multiwall polycarbonate sheets.
         3. PVC. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used for signage, construction, and applications that require chemical-resistant properties. The thermoplastic is available in flexible and rigid forms as well as a general-purpose grade and a grade with increased impact resistance. It’s known for its water- and chemical-resistant properties.

Acme Plastics also carries other types of materials, such as expanded PVC foam sheets and panels in a variety of colors, sizes, and thicknesses (used POP displays in retail and exhibit spaces as well as for garage doors, wood replacement, cabinetry, stage props, and other uses in construction); polypropylene (PP) and high-density polypropylene (HDPE), which are used to make textiles, automotive parts, packaging materials and reusable containers; PET-G, which is FDA-compliant and used in medical and food applications; and many more.

2. Determine the Required Size and Thickness of the Plastic You Need

Does your project require thin, flexible sheets or thicker, rigid panels? Will you need to have plastic cut to a custom size? By knowing the exact size and thickness of the plastic you need for your project, you will reduce waste and save time during the construction of your project. That’s why it’s helpful to choose an export plastic source that can fulfill custom orders for your project. Acme Plastics can tailor your order to specified sizes, thicknesses, and material grades that your project requires.

3. Assess Environmental and Usage Factors

It’s helpful to consider where you plan to use your finished project when selecting plastic sheets. Will it need protection from elements like weather, projectiles, chemicals, or water? Here are a few things to ask yourself to help choose the right plastic sheets:

1. 1. 1. 1. Weather Resistance. Will your final project be in use outdoors? If so, acrylic or polycarbonate might be a good choice. Acrylic is durable, shatter-resistant, and UV-resistant. Polycarbonate is also durable, impact resistant, UV-resistant, and some grades can withstand hurricane-force winds.
         2. Impact Resistance. If protection from projectiles and debris is a concern, polycarbonate is an appropriate choice for demanding environments.
         3. Chemical or Water Resistance.  Will the material need to stand up to water or chemicals? Consider PVC, which can handle liquids whether used in construction or for general purposes. It is also chemical resistant.

4. Consider the Aesthetic and Functionality

Protection isn’t the only thing to consider. Aesthetics and functionality counts, too. Here’s how plastic sheets can offer looks as well as substance.

1. 1. 1. 1. Clarity and Transparency. Acrylic is known for its optical clarity. The material has a 93% transparency rate and can be used in a wide variety of applications.
         2. Color Options. Color acrylic sheets offer the same benefits as clear acrylic (lightweight, shatter-resistant, excellent optical properties, etc). Available in a variety of transparent or opaque colors, the sheets are used for a multitude of applications in furniture/accessories, art and design, retail displays, lighting, signage, framing, and more.

5. Evaluate Budget and Shipping Costs

You already save money working directly with a plastics exporter. You receive direct access to wholesale pricing and depending where are you ordering from and where you are located you might save even more on shipping costs.  For instance, Acme Plastics is strategically located in Miami to ensure timely delivery to the Caribbean and Central and South America. Our truck delivers directly to your chosen freight forwarder, further streamlining your shipping and delivery.

6. Get an Export Plastic Quote Today with Acme Plastics 

For more than half a century, Sonoco has produced high-performance plastic tubes and textile carriers, bringing extensive expertise to every project. With this foundation of experience and innovation, we have become a leading plastic core manufacturer, serving the textile industry worldwide.

Engineered Plastic Cores for Nonwoven Production & Packaging Stability 

In the textile industry, consistency is key. As a trusted supplier since , Sonoco provides high-quality plastic textile cores to leading knitters and weavers worldwide. Engineered to precise dimensions and durable enough for reuse, our plastic cores maintain uniformity under load and feature optimized surface finishes for even tension and tail control.

Committed to continuous innovation, Sonoco is recognized as a leading provider of high-performance plastic carriers. Our extensive range of plastic textile cores is manufactured to DIN ISO 368 standards and meets the specifications of various textile machinery. Designed for both traditional and advanced winding equipment, our cores enhance string-up performance and improve efficiencies to the 99th percentile range.

Plastic Textile Carriers

Sonoco textile carriers are manufactured from high-quality plastics and designed for precise tolerances and high-speed winding. To enhance system efficiency, we offer a range of custom designs, specialized printing options, grooves, notches and other surface treatments tailored to specific applications.

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Plastic Textile Cones

Sonoco Crellin plastic textile cones are available in both single-use and reusable designs, providing consistent high-speed winding for fine and coarse yarns across various sizes and tapers. Ideal for cotton, cotton blends, wool, wool blends and man-made fibers, these cones support a wide range of textile applications.

Select cone designs offer customized surface treatments, and coding rings are available on several models for easy identification.

Single Head Spools

Sonoco offers a variety of single-head spools designed to meet customer specifications. Available in both standard and heavy-walled options, our plastic spools offer durability and versatility for various applications.

To help reduce the need for large spool inventories, we offer color-coding rings in thirteen different colors. These rings are made for easy press-fit installation into the top of the spool for quick identification (or another specific function—let me know if you have a preferred term).

The standard-wall barrel surface is knurled, while the heavy-wall barrel surface is embossed. Knurling is available for heavy-wall barrels upon request.

Rigid Dye Tubes

Sonoco's rigid dye tubes are injection-molded for durability and intended for high-speed winders. Their consistent dimensions make them ideal for automated spinning and dyeing equipment, providing smooth operation and precise performance.

We also offer a variety of tube separators, along with tube designs that can be used without separators. Our dye tubes are suitable for wool, wool blends, cotton, cotton blends and man-made fibers.

Open End Spinning Cylinders

Sonoco’s high-performance open-end spinning (OES) cylinders enhance manufacturing efficiency while providing environmental benefits. Made using a specialized plastic molding process, these reusable cylinders create a superior yarn tail reserve for improved wind quality and increased production efficiency.

Our OES cylinders are manufactured to precise original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and user specifications. Straight roll nose cylinders come in standard lengths and inside diameters, with single or bi-color yarn identification options for easy differentiation.

Compressible Dye Springs

Sonoco manufactures disposable, cost-effective compressible dye springs aimed at promoting uniform dye flow. Combining features of both compressible springs and rigid tubes, these innovative springs are ideal for large packages while allowing smooth yarn pay-off. Several models include filler paper to enhance dye liquor filtering, improving overall dyeing efficiency.

The company is the world’s best special engineering plastics supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.