Negative
number plates
Negative plates flip the usual look — the character style reads in reverse contrast for a bold, modern finish. Available in gloss (£85 a pair) or matte (£90 a pair), singles £40 gloss / £45 matte.
Normal, hex, short, drip and drip hex shapes. Made to BS AU 145e and posted signed-for anywhere in the UK.
What are negative number plates and how much do they cost?
Negative number plates use a negative-style character design for a bold reverse-contrast look, available in gloss or matte. Pairs are £85 in gloss or £90 in matte, singles £40 gloss / £45 matte, with hex and short shapes +£5, drip +£25 and drip hex +£30. They're road legal — made to BS AU 145e with the supplier details and standard marking on every plate.
- Gloss £85 a pair · matte £90 a pair
- Singles £40 gloss / £45 matte
- Hex or short +£5 · drip +£25 (drip hex +£30)
- Road legal — BS AU 145e marked
- Made in 1–2 working days, posted UK-wide
Real plates, real photos.
What is a negative plate?
A negative plate uses a negative-style character treatment — the contrast of the character is handled differently from a standard printed or raised plate, giving the registration a distinctive look that stands out without changing the font, size or spacing.
It's available in two finishes: negative gloss for a shiny character, and negative matte for a flat, stealthy look.
- Negative-style character design
- Gloss or matte finish
- Normal, hex, short, drip and drip hex shapes
- Gloss £85 · matte £90 a pair
Shapes and prices
Negative gloss pairs are £85 and negative matte pairs £90 on the normal shape; singles are £40 gloss / £45 matte. Hex and short shapes (for 5, 6 or 7 character registrations) add £5 to the pair, the drip shape adds £25, and drip hex adds £30.
The order form shows the live price as you pick options, and the full price list is on the pricing page — the price you see is the price you pay.
- Hex / short +£5 on a pair
- Drip +£25 · drip hex +£30
- EV or UK badge option on normal shape
- Paid in full at order — no deposit
The legal bit, in plain English
Characters on plates fitted after 1 September 2021 must be a single shade of black (BS AU 145e), in the correct font and spacing, on a reflective white (front) or yellow (rear) base. GOV.UK has the full rules.
Every road-legal plate we make carries our supplier name and postcode and the BS AU 145e mark, and we check your ID and proof of entitlement before making it — as every DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier must.
Show-plate versions
Negative plates can also be made tinted or faded — but those finishes take the plate outside the standard, so they're supplied as show plates for off-road display only: car shows, static displays, photoshoots and private land. Tick the tinted or faded option in the order form and the document checks are skipped.
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 negative number plates road legal?
Yes — the standard (untinted) negative plate is made to BS AU 145e: single-shade black characters in the correct font and spacing on a reflective base, with supplier details and the standard mark on the plate. Tinted or faded versions are show-only.
How much do negative plates cost?
Gloss is £85 a pair and matte £90 a pair; singles are £40 gloss / £45 matte. Hex and short shapes add £5, drip adds £25 and drip hex adds £30. Postage is added at checkout and we deliver UK-wide.
What's the difference between negative gloss and negative matte?
Only the character finish — gloss has a shiny surface, matte has a flat, non-reflective one. The design, shapes and sizes are the same; matte is £5 more per pair.
Can I get a negative plate with a UK or EV badge?
Yes — on the normal shape you can add a printed UK badge or EV green badge. Badge plates are normal shape only and can't be combined with tinted or faded finishes.
More on number plates.
Order negative 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