Marpet-g FS PETg Sheet: The Clear Alternative to Acrylic & Polycarbonate
Quick Summary: Marpet-g FS is a clear, transparent PETg (polyester) flat sheet that offers outstanding optical clarity, superior chemical resistance, and exceptional thermoformability — without requiring pre-drying. It can be used as a direct alternative to acrylic sheet, polycarbonate sheet, and PVC sheets, and is 100% recyclable. Available from stock at 365plastics.ie in thicknesses from 2mm to 15mm.
For print, display, point of sale, and fabrication applications, PETg sheet has quietly become one of the most versatile materials in the industry. The Marpet range from Brett Martin — comprising Marpet-g FS (PETg) and Marpet-a FS (aPET) — combines glass-like clarity with a workability that acrylic and polycarbonate simply cannot match, particularly for thermoforming. This guide covers the full Marpet range, key properties and applications, the complete technical specification, and a direct comparison against polycarbonate and acrylic to help you choose the right material for your project.
Contents
- What is PETg Sheet?
- The Marpet Range: Marpet-g FS, Marpet-g FS Eco, Marpet-a FS & Marpet-a FS AR
- PETg vs Acrylic vs Polycarbonate
- Key Properties of Marpet-g FS
- Applications: Print, Display & Fabrication
- Processing: What Can You Do With It?
- Technical Specification & Sheet Sizes
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is PETg Sheet?
PETg (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) is a clear PET sheet — a thermoplastic polyester that combines the optical clarity and rigidity of acrylic with the impact resistance and chemical resilience of polycarbonate — while offering significantly better thermoformability than either. It is a co-polyester, meaning it is amorphous (non-crystalline), which gives it its transparency and makes it easy to shape at relatively low temperatures.
PETg sheet is used extensively in the sign and display industry, point of sale manufacturing, packaging, and protective screen fabrication. Its food grade approval also makes it suitable for certain food-contact applications. Unlike standard PET (which requires careful pre-drying before thermoforming), PETg can be thermoformed without pre-drying — a significant time and process cost saving.
Marpet-g FS PETg flat sheet — clear transparent polyester in multiple thicknesses
The Marpet Range
Brett Martin's Marpet range consists of four products, two based on PETg and two on aPET:
Marpet-g FS
Clear transparent PETg sheet. The core product — thermoformable at low temperatures without pre-drying, ideal for print and display fabrication, available 0.5mm–15mm. Food grade resin. 100% recyclable.
Best for: Thermoforming, print, display, 3D shapes, POS, signage
Marpet-g FS Eco
Environmentally focused variant containing at least 50% on-site regrind. Reduces PETg waste going to landfill. Processes identically to standard Marpet-g FS. Limited availability.
Best for: Sustainability-led projects, same applications as Marpet-g FS
Marpet-a FS
High optical grade amorphous PET (aPET) sheet. Excellent scratch resistance, ideal for flat and cold bending applications. Particularly suited to POS display stands, poster glazing, and shop fittings.
Best for: Cold bending, poster covers, shop fittings, visors, machine guards
Marpet-a FS AR
aPET with an anti-reflective surface coating. 86% light transmission at 3mm combined with anti-glare properties makes this the preferred choice for picture framing, poster covers, and high-clarity signage.
Best for: Picture framing, anti-glare poster covers, premium signage
PETg vs Acrylic vs Polycarbonate: Which Should You Choose?
All three materials are clear thermoplastics, but they suit different applications. Use this comparison to select the right sheet for your project:
| Property | PETg (Marpet-g FS) | Acrylic / Perspex | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Clarity | Excellent (88% at 3mm) | Excellent (92% at 3mm) | Good (88% at 3mm) |
| Thermoformability | Excellent — low temp, no pre-drying | Good — higher temp, more brittle | Good — higher temp required |
| Impact Resistance | Good | Moderate — can shatter | Excellent — virtually unbreakable |
| Chemical Resistance | Superior | Moderate | Moderate — stress cracking risk |
| Scratch Resistance | Good | Excellent | Moderate |
| Pre-drying Required | No | No | No |
| Recyclable | 100% | Limited | Limited |
| Food Grade | Yes (resin approval) | Some grades | Some grades |
| Price | Competitive | Mid-range | Premium |
When to choose PETg over acrylic or polycarbonate: If your application involves thermoforming complex 3D shapes, printing, or fabrication that requires superior chemical resistance (e.g. cleaning with agents or solvents), Marpet-g FS PETg is typically the better choice. For outdoor UV-exposed applications, UV-stabilised acrylic or polycarbonate is still preferred.
Key Properties of Marpet-g FS PETg Sheet
Thermoforming Without Pre-Drying
Marpet-g FS thermoforms at relatively low temperatures and requires no pre-drying — a significant process time saving vs standard PET. The 15mm sheet is specifically suited to applications requiring a deeper draw.
Superior Chemical Resistance
Unaffected by many cleaning agents, atmospheric pollutants, and common chemicals. Strength, flexibility, and clarity remain unchanged — making it suitable for industrial, commercial, and high-traffic retail environments.
Excellent Optical Clarity
88% light transmission at 3mm. Crystal-clear appearance that maintains its clarity after fabrication, printing, and thermoforming. Ideal for applications where visual impact is paramount.
Digital & Screen Printing
Outstanding adhesion for both digital and screen printing. Can be printed before or after thermoforming, opening up possibilities for complex shaped displays and graphics that other materials cannot achieve.
Impact Resistance
Good impact resistance makes Marpet-g FS suitable for machine guards, office partitions, vending machines, and shower surrounds where incidental impact is likely.
100% Recyclable & Eco Option
Marpet-g FS is fully recyclable. The Marpet-g FS Eco variant uses at least 50% on-site production regrind, reducing waste to landfill. Processes identically to standard Marpet-g FS.
Marpet-g FS PETg with digital print — thermoformed into 3D shape
Complex thermoformed shape from Marpet-g FS PETg flat sheet
Applications: Print, Display & Fabrication
The combination of printability, thermoformability, and chemical resistance makes Marpet PETg sheet the material of choice across two broad categories:
Print & Display
- Point of sale displays and equipment
- Illuminated and non-illuminated signage
- Light boxes
- 3D displays and graphic arts
- Poster covers
- Non-food packaging
- Kiosks
- Glazing for display cases
Fabrication & Industrial
- Protective screens and machine guards
- Vending machine panels
- Shower surrounds
- Industrial trays and thermoformed parts
- Office partitions
- Home applications (furniture, enclosures)
- Prosthetic check sockets
- Cold food storage applications
Point of sale display fabricated from Marpet-g FS PETg sheet with printed graphics
Processing: What Can You Do With Marpet-g FS?
Marpet-g FS can be processed using all standard plastic fabrication methods. The full processing capability is one of its key advantages over less workable alternatives:
Digital and screen printing
Vinyl application
Fabrication
Routering, milling, sawing
Guillotining, die cutting
Engraving
Laser cutting
Drilling
Thermoforming
Welding
Cold curving
Laminating & bonding
Thermoforming note: Marpet-g FS thermoforms at lower temperatures than acrylic and requires no pre-drying — reducing cycle times and energy costs. The 15mm sheet is particularly suited to deep-draw applications. Engineers and designers can create complex 3D shapes either before or after printing, with full colour and graphic detail retained in the finished formed part.
Marpet-g FS demonstrating exceptional flexibility and cold-bending properties
Technical Specification & Sheet Sizes
Marpet-g FS Material Properties
| Property | Standard | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 1.27 | g/cm³ |
| Light Transmission at 3mm | ISO 13468-1 | 88 | % |
| Flexural Strength | ISO 178 | 80 | MPa |
| Tensile Strength at Yield | ISO 527 | 50 | MPa |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ISO 75-2 | 72 | °C |
| Thermal Expansion | ISO 11359-2 | 0.065 | mm/m°C |
| Service Temperature (long term) | — | -20 to +60 | °C |
Available Sheet Sizes — Marpet-g FS
| Sheet Size (mm) | Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1250 × 2050 | 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 & 1.8 |
| 1250 × 2500 | 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 & 1.8 |
| 2500 × 1250 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 15* |
| 2050 × 3050 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 15* |
* 15mm subject to request. Minimum order quantities may apply. UV resistant and anti-reflective options available on request.
Marpet-g FS Eco Sheet Sizes
| Sheet Size (mm) | Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1250 × 2050 | 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2 |
| 2050 × 3050 | 2, 3 |
Marpet-g FS Eco: limited availability only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is PETg the same as PET?
A: No — PETg (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) is a glycol-modified co-polyester. The glycol modification makes it amorphous and transparent, and significantly easier to thermoform at lower temperatures than standard PET. Standard PET also requires pre-drying before thermoforming; PETg does not.
Q: Can PETg sheet replace acrylic (Perspex) for print applications?
A: Yes — Marpet-g FS is specifically designed for digital and screen printing and offers excellent ink adhesion. For display and signage applications it is a direct alternative to acrylic sheet, with the added advantages of superior chemical resistance and better thermoformability.
Q: Can Marpet-g FS be used outdoors?
A: Marpet-g FS is primarily suited to indoor applications. For outdoor use where UV exposure is significant, UV-stabilised acrylic or polycarbonate sheet is generally more appropriate. A UV-resistant option for Marpet-g FS is available on request — contact us for details.
Q: What is the difference between Marpet-g FS and Marpet-a FS?
A: Marpet-g FS is PETg — ideal for thermoforming, digital printing, and complex 3D fabrication. Marpet-a FS is aPET — better scratch resistance and particularly suited to flat and cold bending applications such as POS display stands, poster covers, and shop fittings. Both offer high optical clarity and are 100% recyclable.
Q: What thicknesses are available in stock at 365plastics.ie?
A: We stock Marpet-g FS in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm in standard sheet sizes of 2500 × 1250mm and 2050 × 3050mm. The 15mm sheet is available subject to request. Contact us for current stock and pricing.
Order Marpet-g FS PETg Sheet
Available from stock at 365plastics.ie in 2mm–12mm thicknesses, two standard sheet sizes, with nationwide delivery across Ireland. For technical data, processing guidance, or volume pricing enquiries, contact our team directly.
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 01 801 0022
About This Guide: Technical data sourced from the official Brett Martin Marpet FS product brochure. All material properties are as specified by the manufacturer and subject to change. For the most current technical and processing information, visit brettmartin.com or contact our technical team. Minimum order quantities may apply to certain sheet sizes and thicknesses.
