Lucite embedment, also called lucite encapsulation, is the craft of suspending an object inside a block of crystal-clear acrylic so it appears to float permanently within the material, protected and magnified for display. It is the signature technique behind the classic deal toy, the commemorative object that financial and corporate teams keep to mark a transaction, and it has grown into a versatile form for premium awards. At Fabit, embedment joins our in-house 3D printing so we can create bespoke encapsulated objects that no catalogue can match.
What lucite embedment is
Lucite is a brand name that became the generic term for high-clarity cast acrylic, a glass-like polymer prized for its optical transparency. Embedment is the process of casting liquid acrylic around an object so that, once cured, the object is sealed inside a solid, transparent block. The result is striking: the encased item seems to hover in mid-air, protected from dust and damage, and the acrylic’s refractive quality subtly magnifies and lights it. A tombstone announcing a deal, a miniature product, a printed 3D shape or a symbolic artefact can all be immortalised this way.
Unlike a display case, embedment fuses the object and its protection into a single permanent piece. Nothing can be removed, which is precisely the point: the moment is fixed forever.
How embedment is done
Embedment is patient, skilled work. Clear acrylic is cast in layers around the object rather than in one pour, because a single thick pour would trap heat and bubbles. A first layer is cast and cured, the object is positioned on it, further layers are poured to encase it fully, and the block builds up gradually with each layer cured before the next. This layered approach is what keeps the acrylic optically clear and free of trapped air. Once the block is complete, it is cut to size, then the real craft begins: the faces are sanded through progressively finer grits and polished until they are perfectly transparent and flawless.
The polishing stage is where a good embedment becomes a great one. Any haze or scratch would spoil the illusion of a floating object, so the surfaces must be brought to true glass clarity by hand.
Why 3D printing supercharges embedment
Classic embedment encases an existing object, but with in-house 3D printing the object itself can be made bespoke first. Fabit can design and print a custom shape, a brand’s logo in three dimensions, a miniature of a building or product, or an abstract sculptural form, and then embed that unique printed piece in lucite. This fuses two of our core strengths: additive manufacturing for the object and embedment for its presentation. The outcome is a deal toy or award that is bespoke twice over, in both what floats inside and how it is displayed.
What can be embedded
The technique is remarkably versatile. Common inclusions include:
- Custom 3D printed shapes such as logos, product miniatures or architectural models.
- Deal tombstones and documents marking a transaction, launch or milestone.
- Small physical artefacts like components, samples or symbolic objects tied to the story.
- Metal or cast elements combined with the acrylic for contrast and weight.
Fabit advises on what will read best inside the block, considering scale, colour, contrast and how light will move through the finished piece.
Embedment as the classic deal toy
The deal toy tradition, especially in banking and corporate finance, is built on embedment. When a deal closes, the teams involved commission an object that captures it: often a stylised representation of the companies, the product or the transaction, sealed in lucite and given to everyone who worked on it. These pieces sit on desks for years as quiet trophies of achievement. Fabit’s ability to design and 3D print a truly bespoke inclusion, then encapsulate it flawlessly, is exactly what a memorable deal toy requires.
Embedment in Fabit’s workflow
Embedment is fully integrated with Fabit’s in-house additive capability in Antwerp. We can design and print the inclusion, cast and polish the lucite, combine it with machined or cast metal bases, and finish and package the piece for worldwide delivery, all under our own roof and with a 24-hour response to enquiries. To explore embedded and encapsulated pieces, see our custom trophies service, browse examples on our 3D printed trophy page, or start designing your inclusion in our online studio.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deal toy? A deal toy is a commemorative object, traditionally an item embedded in lucite, made to mark a completed transaction or milestone and given to the people involved.
Why is embedment cast in layers? Casting clear acrylic in thin layers prevents trapped heat and air bubbles, keeping the block optically clear so the embedded object appears to float flawlessly.
Can Fabit embed a custom 3D printed object? Yes. This is a core Fabit strength. We design and print a bespoke inclusion, then encapsulate it in lucite, so both the object and its presentation are custom.
Is lucite the same as glass? No. Lucite is a high-clarity cast acrylic. It looks glass-like but is lighter, more impact resistant and can be cast around objects, which glass cannot.
Related terms
- SLA resin printing
- additive manufacturing
- metal 3D printing
- investment casting
- CNC machining
- 3D printing vs casting
