4D gel number
plates.
The hybrid: laser-cut acrylic characters with a clear gel dome poured on top. You get 4D's height and hard edges plus gel's wet-look gloss. £45 a pair, made in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for anywhere in the UK.
Road-legal sets are made to BS AU 145e. Show plates are available for off-road display use only.
What are 4D gel number plates?
4D gel plates combine both builds: each character is laser-cut from solid acrylic and bonded to the plate, then a clear resin dome is poured over the top. The result is the height and sharp edges of 4D with the gloss of gel. £45 a pair, made in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for UK-wide. Road-legal sets are made to BS AU 145e and require proof of identity and entitlement to the registration.
- 4D gel (pair): £45
- 4D £40 · 3D gel £35 · standard £30 · retro £60
- Laser-cut acrylic + poured gel dome
- Made to BS AU 145e for road use
- Made in 1–2 working days
- Royal Mail signed-for, UK-wide
Real plates, real photos.
How is a 4D gel plate built?
It's a two-stage build. First the characters are cut individually from solid acrylic on a laser cutter and bonded to a reflective plate — the same process as a standard 4D plate, typically in 3mm or 5mm thickness. Then a clear polyurethane resin is applied over each character by hand and left to cure into a dome.
That second stage is the difference. Instead of a flat matte top you get a curved gloss surface that catches light, sitting on top of a character with real height and hard vertical edges.
- Laser-cut acrylic characters (3mm or 5mm)
- Hand-poured clear gel dome on each character
- Deeper and glossier than 3D gel
- Front and rear plates, all common UK sizes
4D gel vs 4D vs 3D gel
4D is flat-topped and matte — the sharpest, most machined look. 3D gel is domed resin printed straight onto the plate, so it's lower and softer, at £35. 4D gel puts the dome on top of the acrylic character, so it's the tallest and glossiest of the three, at £45.
If you're deciding, it comes down to finish: matte and razor-sharp (4D), glossy and rounded (3D gel), or both (4D gel).
Looking after them
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth or wash mitt. Keep pressure washers at a distance and off the character edges, skip solvent cleaners and abrasive pads, and never scrape ice off raised characters. Treated normally, a cured gel dome copes fine with British weather.
Ordering and delivery
Order online: choose 4D gel, pick your size and character thickness, type the registration exactly as it appears on your V5C, upload your documents and pay in full — no deposit on plates. We check the documents, make the plates in 1–2 working days, and post them signed-for with a tracking number texted to you.
How much do plates cost?
All prices per pair, paid in full at order — there is no deposit on plates. Royal Mail signed-for postage is added at checkout and we deliver anywhere in the UK.
Road-legal or show plate?
Number plates made since September 2021 must comply with BS AU 145e. 3D and 4D raised characters can be road-legal provided the plate meets that standard — the mandated font and character height, correct spacing, the right colour and reflectivity, the supplier details and BS AU 145e marking, and nothing that misrepresents the registration.
Novelty and show plates that don't meet the standard are for off-road display use only. They must not be fitted to a vehicle used on the road. Tick the show-plate option at checkout if that's what you want and we'll skip the document checks.
What documents do you need?
Road-legal plates must be supplied by a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, and the supplier has to see proof of your identity and proof of your entitlement to the registration mark before making the plates. You upload both as part of the order:
- Proof of identity — driving licence, or a passport with a recent utility/council tax bill
- Proof of entitlement — V5C log book, new keeper slip, V750/V778 retention certificate, or a lease/hire agreement
How does UK delivery work?
Plates are made in 1–2 working days and posted by Royal Mail signed-for, anywhere in the UK — you get a tracking number by text when they leave us. Everything is ordered online, so you don't need to be anywhere near our Dagenham workshop.
Plates are packed in rigid protective packaging with the fixing kit included. If you'd rather collect, that's still an option — but posting is the default for national orders.
Common questions.
Are 4D gel number plates legal?
They can be. Raised characters are permitted provided the finished plate meets BS AU 145e — correct font, character height and spacing, correct colour and reflectivity, supplier details and BS AU 145e marking, and nothing misrepresenting the registration. Plates that don't meet the standard are show plates for off-road display only.
How much are 4D gel plates?
£45 a pair. 4D is £40, 3D gel £35, standard £30 and retro £60. All prices are per pair, paid in full at order, with Royal Mail signed-for postage added at checkout.
Is 4D gel better than 4D?
It's a finish preference, not a quality ranking. 4D gel is glossier and taller; plain 4D is matte with crisper edges. Both are made the same way underneath.
Can I have 5mm characters with gel?
Yes — 3mm and 5mm are both available, and the gel dome is added on top either way. 5mm stands noticeably further proud of the plate.
What documents do I need to order?
Proof of identity (driving licence, or passport plus a recent utility/council tax bill) and proof of entitlement to the registration (V5C, new keeper slip, V750/V778 retention certificate or lease agreement). Road-legal plates must be supplied by a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, and the supplier has to see both before making the plates.
Do you post 4D gel plates across the UK?
Yes — signed-for Royal Mail anywhere in the UK, packed in rigid protective packaging with the fixing kit included.
Order your 4D gel plates.
Pick your style and size, upload your documents and pay securely. Made in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for anywhere in the UK.
Start your order