select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Embossed vs. engraved text for outdoor molded parts

0
T
3

Hi there, I need to add a part number and recycling symbol on the surface of molded parts in PP GF20 for outdoor use. I initially planned to use engraved text for aesthetic reasons, but I’m concerned about visibility and tool wear over long production runs. Would embossed text (raised on the part) be a better option here in terms of durability and legibility? The surface finish is light matte, and cycle times are tight, so I’m also considering mold complexity.

    • T

      Hi there, I need to add a part number and recycling symbol on the surface of molded parts in PP GF20 for outdoor use. I initially planned to use engraved text for aesthetic reasons, but I’m concerned about visibility and tool wear over long production runs. Would embossed text (raised on the part) be a better option here in terms of durability and legibility? The surface finish is light matte, and cycle times are tight, so I’m also considering mold complexity.

      0
    • A

      I’ve worked with glass-filled PP a lot, especially for outdoor enclosures. From my experience, embossed text usually holds up better over long production runs. There’s less tool wear, and it stays more legible as the tools age, especially in matte finishes. Engraved text can start looking shallow if there’s any flash or degraded tool definition.

      0
      Reply
    • R

      If your text isn’t taller than 0.3 mm you should be safe from embossed features hanging up or causing witness marks on matte surfaces. Draft angles help too. For matte finishes, you actually get slightly better contrast with embossed features, especially with shadow from sunlight. Just make sure they’re not on complex geometry or tight corners. Keep them on flat or gently curved areas.

      0
      Reply
      • T
        Ronald

        Yes, that makes sense. I was also thinking about mold venting. Does raised text make that trickier?

        0
        Reply
Embossed vs. engraved text for outdoor molded parts
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
Slim linear guide for precise lab automation stage
I’m designing a compact linear stage for a lab automation setup, used to move a microplate (about 300 grams) precisely along a 150 mm travel. The system needs to achieve repeatability under ±0.05 mm... read more
J
i
1
189
Sep 02
Advice on plastic insert gripping an inner rotating tube
Hello, I'm designing a plastic coupling sleeve to mount an aluminum shaft (20 mm OD) from the inside. The sleeve needs to grip the shaft firmly enough to transmit rotational torque from a small... read more
P
J
4
195
Aug 21
O-ring seal design for removable marine sensor housing
Hi! My project is a small-scale marine sensor housing; it needs to stay functional when briefly submerged (around 0.5 m depth) or exposed to heavy splashes on a boat deck. I’m using a machined... read more
H
H
D
9
608
Aug 22
Compact two-axis rotation without U-joints?
Hi all! I’m building a compact gimbal for a sensor head that needs to rotate around two perpendicular axes (pan and tilt). I’m trying to stay away from standard U-joints — they take up... read more
D
b
4
1.5k
Aug 14
SLA wall thickness issue for microfluidic channels
Hi, I created a 3D design for a small microfluidic part using SLA (Clear Resin) with internal channels ~0.4 mm wide and wall thickness around 0.5 mm. The function relies on optical inspection through... read more
B
c
1
277
Jul 29