How Plastic Extrusion Powers Modern Retail Displays

Retail displays must balance durability, functionality, and aesthetics. Whether it’s holding signage, guiding shelving, or supporting product placement, the right components can make or break a store’s presentation. Plastic extrusion plays a central role in solving these challenges by creating strong, lightweight, and cost-effective custom components for your retail displays that are tailored to retail environments.

Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, custom extruded parts such as sliding channels, L channels, and other plastic extrusions can be designed to fit exact specifications. This means brands and retailers don’t have to settle for “close enough” hardware. Instead, they can have reliable parts that meet precise size, durability, and design requirements.

Plastic Extrusion: From Concept to Production

So, what exactly is plastic extrusion? At its core, the process involves melting raw plastic and forcing it through a die to create a continuous shape, known as a custom profile. A plastic extruder machine ensures consistency in size, thickness, and strength. These extruded shapes can range from simple tubes to highly detailed profiles used in retail displays.

In the retail industry, the applications are endless. For example:

• U channels can hold price tags or product information securely in place.
  
• L channels provide corner protection or edging for displays and shelving.
  
• Custom profiles allow for unique branding elements that reinforce store identity.
  

Because these parts are created through a flexible manufacturing process, retailers can scale production easily without sacrificing precision.

Why Retailers Choose Extruded Plastic Over Alternatives

When comparing materials for retail displays, extruded plastic consistently outperforms alternatives like metal or wood. Here’s why:

1. Lightweight yet durable: Plastic extrusions can withstand everyday wear while remaining easy to transport and install.
   
2. Customizable: From transparent to colored finishes, extrusions can be tailored to match branding and visual merchandising needs.
   
3. Cost-effective: High-volume production with a plastic extruder reduces per-unit costs.
   
4. Eco-friendly options: Many manufacturers, including Jifram, offer recycled materials and sustainable production methods.
   

This adaptability makes extruded plastic an essential solution for retailers looking to maximize both function and presentation.

The Role of Custom Profiles in Retail Innovation

Custom plastic extrusions go beyond just function—they also support creative store layouts. A well-designed custom profile can help showcase new products, improve customer flow, or integrate technology like digital displays.

For instance, grocers often use sliding channels to update product pricing efficiently, while electronics retailers may rely on L channels to secure high-value displays without detracting from aesthetics. The right design allows retailers to solve practical problems while enhancing the shopping experience.

Request a quote today if you’re considering custom plastic profiles for your retail project.

A Premier Plastic Extrusions Manufacturer

Since 1981, Jifram Plastic Extrusions has specialized in delivering high-quality, U.S.-made plastic extrusions. From early beginnings in Wisconsin to becoming a trusted supplier across North America, Jifram has built its reputation on engineering expertise, innovation, and customer service.

Today, the company continues to serve industries ranging from retail to refrigeration, offering not just off-the-shelf solutions but fully custom extruded profiles. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, Jifram provides the expertise retailers need to turn concepts into reliable, production-ready components.

Bringing Your Display Ideas to Life

From simple L channels to complex custom profiles, plastic extrusion allows retailers to move from concept to production with confidence. By working with a skilled custom plastic extruder, businesses can achieve durable, efficient, and visually appealing displays that elevate their brand.Ready to take your retail displays to the next level? Submit an instant quote or explore a quote for a custom profile and explore how custom extruded plastic can help bring your vision to life.

Retail displays in 2025 demand smarter, more adaptable solutions—and plastic extrusions are leading the way. At Jifram Extrusions, we’ve spent over 40 years helping retail brands and retailers bring their designs to life with custom plastic profiles that are durable, lightweight, and built to impress.

From L channels to plastic C channels to custom profiles extruded to your exact specifications, here’s how plastic extrusions are powering the next generation of retail displays.

1. Sign Frames & Light Diffusion Panels

Plastic channels like U and C shapes are ideal for framing in-store signage. Whether you’re housing illuminated letters or diffusing LED light across a surface, custom extruded plastic frames provide a sleek, protective solution that enhances visibility and presentation.

2. Price Tag Holders

A well-placed plastic L channel can help display prices clearly and securely on any retail shelf. Custom profile extrusions allow for a precise fit, making it easy to swap out pricing without damaging the shelf or signage.

3. Edge Finishing & Protection

Plastic U channels and other custom profiles help retailers finish the edges of displays with clean lines while preventing wear and tear. These extrusions are not only functional but also enhance the professional appearance of store fixtures.

4. Custom Dividers & Product Organization

Extruded plastic dividers can be designed to separate or group products, improving in-store navigation and boosting product visibility. These lightweight solutions are ideal for shelving units, bins, or even floor displays.

5. Mounting Brackets & Display Supports

Using plastic extrusion services, Jifram can create rigid, tailored mounting brackets that help retailers secure signs, shelving, and other display elements. Our quick-turnaround capabilities make it easy to keep up with changing store layouts and seasonal setups.

Why Retailers Choose Jifram

As one of the leading PVC extrusion manufacturers, Jifram stands out with:

• Fast quote and design adjustments
  
• Competitive pricing
  
• Short lead times and on-time delivery
  
• Decades of POP-focused plastic extrusion services
  

Our team specializes in creating reliable, attractive plastic profiles that meet the unique demands of retail displays.

Looking to enhance your next retail display? Contact Jifram—your trusted plastic profile extruders—for expert PVC extrusion services tailored to your needs.

When it comes to custom plastic extrusions, smart profile design is the key to a successful, cost-effective project. At JIFRAM Extrusions, we work closely with our customers to optimize their designs — helping them reduce tooling costs, shorten production times, and ultimately lower the overall cost per foot.

In this post, we’ll break down the extrusion design process, provide expert tips for creating cost-effective profiles, and explain how a well-designed profile can make a huge difference — even before production begins.

Why Good Profile Design Matters

Tooling for thermoforming plastic and extrusion can be a major upfront investment. But by following best practices during the design phase, you can:

• Lower your initial tooling cost
• Extend the life of the tool
• Reduce material waste
• Decrease the cost per foot of finished parts
• Improve part performance and consistency

In some cases, JIFRAM may even already own a tool that fits your needs or could be modified to fit, saving you even more.

Best Practices for Designing Plastic Extrusions

Here are some important guidelines to follow when designing your custom extrusion:

1. Keep Wall Thickness Uniform

Avoid large variations in wall thickness. Uniform thickness promotes even material flow, reduces stress points, and helps prevent warping during cooling.

2. Simplify the Profile Shape

The more complex the design, the more complicated (and expensive) the tooling. Whenever possible, simplify your profile. Avoid intricate undercuts or deep pockets unless absolutely necessary.

3. Consider Material Flow

Design with the flow of plastic in mind. Smooth transitions, rounded corners, and gentle tapers can help maintain even pressure and reduce defects.

4. Optimize Dimensions

Make sure dimensions are realistic based on the capabilities of extrusion processes. Excessively tight tolerances or extreme proportions can increase tooling cost and scrap rates.

5. Choose the Right Material Early

Different plastics behave differently during extrusion. Confirm your material choice early in the process — this ensures the design is compatible and prevents costly changes later.

6. Plan for Thermoforming

If your part will undergo additional thermoforming, design features to accommodate stretching, shrinking, and cooling stresses.

7. Work with Your Extrusion Partner Early

Partnering with JIFRAM early allows us to spot cost-saving opportunities. We can often recommend subtle design tweaks that maintain your part’s functionality while reducing costs.

Thermoforming vs. Injection Molding Tooling

When comparing tooling for plastic thermoforming/extrusion versus injection molding, there are some important distinctions:

• Cost: Thermoforming/extrusion tooling is generally much less expensive than injection molding tooling.
• Lead Time: Extrusion tooling can often be produced much faster than injection molds.
• Flexibility: Changes to extrusion tooling are often easier and less costly to implement.

If your project allows for it, extruded thermoformed profiles offer an affordable alternative to molded parts, especially for medium to long production runs.

Looking Ahead: Tooling Design & Costs (Part 2)

In June, we’ll dive deeper into tooling design and cost strategies for thermoplastic extrusions. We’ll explain how to further optimize your tooling investment, maximize tool life, and ensure consistent product quality.

Partner with JIFRAM for Smarter Design

At JIFRAM Custom Extrusions, our engineering team is ready to help you get your design right — right from the start. Whether it’s optimizing your profile, finding an existing tool match, or designing the perfect custom solution, we’re here to help you minimize costs and maximize success.

Contact us today to get started!