Gel number
plates.
Domed gel resin characters with a glossy, rounded top — the classic 3D look. £35 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 gel number plates and how much do they cost?
Gel number plates (often called 3D gel or gel reg plates) have a clear polyurethane resin domed over each character, giving the digits a raised, glossy, rounded finish. A pair costs £35, made in 1–2 working days and posted signed-for anywhere in the UK. Road-legal sets are made to BS AU 145e and require proof of your identity and entitlement to the registration.
- 3D gel (pair): £35
- 4D gel £45 · 4D £40 · standard £30 · retro £60
- Domed resin over each character
- 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 are gel plates made?
The characters are printed onto the reflective plate first, then a clear polyurethane resin is applied over each one by hand and left to cure. The resin self-levels into a rounded dome, which is what gives gel plates their wet, glossy look and a genuine raised feel under your fingers.
Because the dome is poured rather than cut, the edges are soft and rounded rather than sharp. That's the fundamental difference between gel and 4D.
How do gel plates differ from 4D acrylic?
4D characters are individually laser-cut from solid acrylic and bonded onto the plate, so they have flat tops, hard vertical edges and more physical height — typically 3mm or 5mm. Gel characters are domed resin: lower, rounder and glossier.
4D gel combines the two — laser-cut acrylic characters with a gel dome poured on top — so you get the height of 4D with the gloss of gel. It's £45 a pair.
- Gel (£35) — domed, glossy, rounded edges
- 4D (£40) — laser-cut acrylic, flat tops, sharp edges
- 4D gel (£45) — laser-cut characters with a gel dome
- Standard (£30) — printed, flat, no raised characters
How durable are gel plates?
Cured resin is tough and flexible, which helps it shrug off jet washes, road grit and temperature swings better than you'd expect. Gel is a good choice if you want raised characters but would rather not have hard edges catching on covers, brushes or cleaning cloths.
Cleaning is simple: warm soapy water and a soft cloth or wash mitt. Avoid solvent-based cleaners, abrasive pads and pressure-washing the plate face from very close range, and don't scrape ice off the characters — that applies to any raised plate, not just gel.
What sizes and how do I order?
We make all the common UK sizes to order, including the standard 520 × 111 mm oblong, rear plinth sizes and 4x4 squares. The order runs entirely online: pick the style and size, type the registration exactly as it appears on your V5C, upload your documents and pay in full — there's no deposit on plates.
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 gel number plates legal?
They can be. Raised gel characters are allowed provided the finished plate meets BS AU 145e — correct font, character height and spacing, correct colour and reflectivity, supplier details and the BS AU 145e marking, and nothing that misrepresents the registration. Anything that doesn't meet the standard is a show plate for off-road display only.
How much are gel reg plates?
3D gel is £35 a pair and 4D gel is £45 a pair. Standard plates are £30, 4D £40 and retro £60. Prices are per pair, paid in full at order, with Royal Mail signed-for postage added at checkout.
What's the difference between gel and 4D plates?
Gel characters are domed resin — glossy with rounded edges. 4D characters are laser-cut from solid acrylic and bonded on, giving flat tops, sharp edges and more height. 4D gel is both together.
Can I jet wash gel plates?
Yes, but not from close range and not aimed directly at the character edges. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth is the safest routine for any raised plate.
What documents do I need?
Road-legal plates must be supplied by a DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier, and we're required to see proof of your identity (driving licence, or passport plus a recent utility/council tax bill) and proof of your entitlement to the registration (V5C, new keeper slip, V750/V778 retention certificate or lease agreement). You upload both during the order.
How quickly will they arrive?
Plates are made in 1–2 working days, then posted by Royal Mail signed-for — typically 1–3 further working days depending on the service you pick. We text the tracking number when they're dispatched.
Order your 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