4 Reasons to Utilize Plastic for Your Next Product Design

At first glance, plastic might seem boring and outdated to the untrained eye. Maybe it doesn’t seem as flashy as some of its metal counterparts and since it’s been around for so long, can it really be considered innovative? The answer to that is YES! While plastic has existed for what seems like forever, the fact that it's still around proves it's got staying power and continues to find ways to reinvent itself. Continue reading for tips on how to utilize plastic to its fullest potential on your next project.

Color can be achieved in many ways within plastic. It can be plated to give a luxurious look and feel with various shades of chromes. Plastic can also be painted or printed on the top or on the rear surface of the part. Perhaps the most interesting method of coloring plastic is molding the color into the plastic to achieve an opaque or transparent look. Molded-in color also results in an added layer of durability. Whether you’re looking for transparent, metallic, or opaque aesthetics, plastic can do it all.  

TACTILE TEXTURES
Plastic can be manipulated in many different ways. For example, you can create 3D shapes and curvature with plastic to help you stand out in the marketplace and catch the eye of your target consumers. Construct an intricate touchpoint on your product design by incorporating custom textures into your plastic name plate or trim piece. A classic knurled pattern or a trendy rippled design is a perfect way to obtain consumer interaction whether it be used to enhance a tactile experience or simply as an eye-catching product design detail.

DEPTH & DIMENSION
We’ve talked about colors and we’ve talked about textures. Now, let’s talk about how both of those elements can be added to the rear surface of plastic to create depth and dimension. Depending on your part thickness, putting your finishes or textures on the rear of your part can really enhance the overall part design. It’s almost like looking at those features under a magnifying glass. With rear surface finish or texture treatments, a part can provide unique experiences every time someone interacts with it. It’s almost like they notice something new each time they view it. How cool is that? If a consumer sees subtle nuances, it results in a true appreciation for the thoughtfulness and craftsmanship that went into creating your product. They recognize value in your product and have confidence in their purchase, elevating awareness and loyalty to your brand.

BUILT-IN MOUNTING
Kill two birds with one stone when using plastic. Not only can you get really unique aesthetics with molded plastic, but you can also ease the potential concerns of your engineers by incorporating built-in mounting features. This allows for a mechanical attachment to your housing adding a layer of reliability that typically appeals to engineers and quality managers. At LaFrance, we offer a range of mounting options like press-fit studs and various snap designs and can work with your engineers to find the right solution for your product design.

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