What are retro number plates?
Retro characters have solid black centres with narrow raised bevelled edges and angular chamfered corners. The bevel is what separates them from a flat-faced 4D character: light runs along it, giving the character an edge line all the way round.
The profile
The centre is solid glossy black and flat; the edge is a narrow raised bevel rather than a square sidewall.
Corners are chamfered, so the character reads as slightly more angular than the 4D acrylic equivalent.
What it suits
Classic and restoration work, where a square-cut modern character can look out of place.
Any customer who wants depth on the plate without the blocky sidewall of a 5mm acrylic character.
Fitting notes
The bevel is the highest point at the edge, so press the centre of the character first and work out to the bevel.
Handle by the face rather than the corners to keep the chamfers crisp.