Mirrors are a great maker project to undertake because of their versatility in design and the fascinating history they carry. Mirrors have taken many forms over thousands of years, from pools of water in dark containers to polished copper and the more familiar glass mirrors we use today.
In this instance, though, Emma explores working with mirrored acrylic.
What is Mirrored Acrylic?
Mirrored Acrylic is a clear acrylic to the back of which a reflective coating has been applied. Depending on the colour of the clear acrylic that the coating is applied to, the final mirror can be tinted in several different colours.
Acrylic has more flexibility than glass and can be bent. It is also shatter-resistant, lighter and cheaper than glass.
It is worth noting that because of its flexibility and softer material, acrylic mirrors can scratch and warp more easily, potentially causing image distortion. This will need to be considered when using it in a project.
Laser Cutting Mirrored Acrylic
Laser cutting mirrored acrylic is as simple as cutting any other acrylic, since it’s a coated clear acrylic. It does not require any special techniques or precautions, nor does it reflect the laser back upwards.
As with all laser-cut acrylic, the pulses of the laser create small vertical lines in the edge of the mirrored acrylic. Mirrored acrylic can be tricky to clean because of those small grooves, with certain cleaners causing cracking along the edges. Please see the “cleaning mirrored acrylic” section for more information.
Engraving Mirrored Acrylic
There are two ways to engrave mirrored acrylic - on the front of the clear acrylic, or on the back, into the reflective coating.
Engraving into the front will produce a matte design onto the otherwise glossy surface, and the design will itself be visible as a reflection in the mirror.
Engraving into the back will selectively remove the reflective coating, creating a non-reflective area in the mirror, which will create an area of contrast. If you do this, remember to reflect your design so that it appears the right way round when viewing the mirror from the front!
Bending Mirrored Acrylic
This is possible, but requires a steady hand and gentle application of heat. As with regular clear acrylic, too much heat in too small an area can cause bubbling, and then if this occurs on the reflective surface, it can dull the reflectiveness and even begin to bubble and peel away the coating.
The trick to it is to go slowly and steadily, not applying heat to a single area for too long, and to test on small offcuts of the material first to get used to the technique and the heat and time required.
Using Adhesives and Fixings with Mirrored Acrylic
The best ways to attach mirrored acrylic to projects are by affixing it using brackets, screws, and other such fixings, or by using adhesives like acrylic mounting tape, foam tabs, or silicone adhesive - specifically not solvent-based adhesives.
Solvent-based adhesives can potentially damage the mirrored acrylic - both the acrylic itself and the reflective coating. These are some images of how solvent-based adhesives interact with the acrylic to show you what can happen to the acrylic and coating.
Cleaning Mirrored Acrylic
Much like the adhesives, it’s important to avoid anything solvent-based. The drying of the solvent can cause fractures from the small vertical fissures in the edge of the acrylic.
The best way to clean mirrored acrylic is with mild cleaners, soft cloths, and a gentle hand. Scrubbing or abrasive cleaners may cause scratches and remove or damage the reflective coating.
Further Reading & Useful Links
Below are a couple of links to additional posts on working with laser materials that offer a lot of additional information.
- A Guide On Using Laser Materials.
- Working with Materials - Kitronik University.
-
Kitronik Materials, Computing & Design & Technology Catalogue 2025-2026
- Kickstart your Laser Projects with Our Materials Starter Pack
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