What's The Difference Between a 3D and a 4D Plate? Your Questions Answered
If you’re looking to buy a customised number plate in 2024, then you’ve got lots of choices available to you. Unfortunately, sometimes the technical jargon can be confusing, especially if this is your first time buying a custom plate.
In this quick guide, we’ll be going over the five most common types of number plates, explaining the differences between them, and why you might choose them for your vehicle.
2D Standard Number Plate
The classic 2D standard number plate is pretty exactly what you’d expect. A flat plate with no raised characters, 2D plates are, of course, the most common type of number plate and have no ornamental features to set them apart.
That being said, custom 2D number plates are very popular for those who prefer minimalism and simplicity.
3D Gel Number Plates
3D gel plates are much the same as 2D plates except that they use gel to raise the characters creating a 3D effect.
Some people occasionally confuse 3D gel plates, which are entirely legal, with 3D shaded plates - flat 2D plates that use shading to create a 3D effect - which was banned in 2021 for legibility reasons.
4D 3mm Number Plates
Where 3D number plates use gel to raise the characters, 4D plates instead utilise pre-cut acrylic letters, allowing for an even greater sense of depth as well as sharp solid edges. These are also perfectly road-legal.
4D 5mm Number Plates
As well as 3mm 4D number plates, we also offer 4D 5mm number plates. These have even thicker letters, meaning they stand out, even at a distance.
4D Gel Number Plates
But what’s the difference between a 4D and a 3D plate? Depending on who you ask there is some debate over the exact distinction but it’s mostly a matter of materials and depth. As mentioned above, a classic 4D plate uses acrylic as opposed to the gel used in 3D plates. This creates a more solid effect, giving your plate a bold outline that can be more striking from a distance.
That being said, it is possible to create a similar level of depth using solid gel characters, allowing for the best of both worlds.
No matter what you’re looking for, here at Your Car Reg, we’ve got you covered.