Plastic Extrusion FAQs

Jif – like the peanut butter and Ram – like the animal. Jifram is an acronym representing the three original owners, Jim (Ji) Frank (fra) and Merlin (m.) Jifram Extrusions, Inc. is a family owned privately held company that has been manufacturing custom plastic profile extrusions for over 40 years.

Our standard lead time is 4 to 6 weeks for plastic profiles that require new tooling and 2 to 3 weeks on plastic profiles from existing tooling. Many times we can improve upon our standard lead times! Just give us a shout (920)-467-2477 or email us at jifram@jifram.com once you place your P.O. We will then see if we can work your requested ship date into our current production schedule.

We do not require you to order any minimum quantities. We will quote, run, and ship any order quantity.

We can manufacture custom plastic profiles up to 7 inches tall and 22 inches wide. We also have the capability to extrude custom plastic tubing up to 4 inches round and plastic channels of all sizes, shapes, and colors.

We can extrude custom plastic profiles from a wide range of materials including ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, PETG, PVC, TPE, polyurethane, and many others. Unfortunately, we do not extrude nylon. Contact us if you have a specific material requirement.

We require four things before we can provide an accurate quote:

• Your profile drawing
• Quantity and lengths needed
• Color
• Material

You can also contact your local sales representative, email jifram@jifram.com, or call 920-467-2477.

The best material depends on your application. Our team will work with you to understand your performance requirements, environment, and budget to recommend the right material for your custom plastic extrusion.

Tooling costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the size, complexity, and requirements of the extrusion profile.

Yes. Upon receipt of your tooling payment and a minimal setup fee, we can manufacture and ship production samples of your custom plastic extrusion.

If you are not ready to invest in tooling, we also offer prototype options for many custom profiles.

Yes. Co-extrusions and tri-extrusions are a core competency of Jifram Extrusions, Inc.

Jifram Extrusions, Inc. is not ISO certified; however, we would be delighted to review our quality assurance program and the processes we have in place to deliver quality products on time and at competitive prices.

Our facility is located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, approximately 55 miles north of Milwaukee.

320 Forest Ave
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
Phone: 920-467-2477

Jifram was established in 1981. We are a privately held, family-owned company located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

The best plastic depends entirely on the application. Factors such as strength, flexibility, clarity, impact resistance, and environmental exposure all influence material selection.

Plastic profiles are continuous linear shapes created by forcing molten plastic through an extrusion die. Common examples include plastic channels, trim, tubing, lighting lenses, and custom profiles used in OEM and retail display applications.

We maintain strict quality standards through statistical sampling, hourly inspections, machine capability studies, process charting, comprehensive documentation, and sample retention for future production runs.

Plastic extrusion channels are used across a wide range of industries including retail displays, point-of-purchase fixtures, office furniture, marine products, lighting systems, transportation, and industrial manufacturing.

Injection molding injects molten plastic into a mold to create individual parts. Plastic extrusion pushes molten plastic through a die to create continuous profiles that can be cut to any required length.

Plastic extrusion tolerances depend on the material, profile design, and application requirements. While tighter tolerances are possible, they can increase tooling costs, setup times, and scrap rates. At Jifram, our engineers work with customers to determine tolerances that ensure proper fit and function while maintaining cost-effective production.

Yes. Jifram offers programs that can reimburse tooling costs after an agreed-upon production volume has been purchased. We also maintain more than 250 in-house tooling options, including plastic channels and custom profiles, which may eliminate tooling costs altogether if an existing profile meets your requirements.

Co-extrusion is a plastic extrusion process that combines two different materials or colors into a single profile. This allows manufacturers to create products with multiple performance characteristics, such as a rigid base with a flexible sealing edge, or profiles that incorporate multiple colors without secondary assembly.

Plastic extrusion tooling can last for many years when properly maintained. Tool life depends on factors such as material selection, profile complexity, production volume, and operating conditions. Routine maintenance and periodic refurbishment help ensure consistent profile quality and dimensional accuracy over time.

Many plastic extrusions can be recycled depending on the material being used. Common extrusion materials such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic may be recyclable through appropriate recycling programs. Material selection, additives, and local recycling capabilities can impact recyclability.

The timeline for a custom plastic extrusion depends on profile complexity, tooling requirements, material selection, and testing needs. Most projects begin with profile design and tooling development, followed by sampling and production approval before full-scale manufacturing.

A plastic profile is any continuous shape produced through the plastic extrusion process. A plastic channel is a specific type of profile designed to hold, guide, protect, or mount another component. Examples include U channels, C channels, H channels, and sliding channels.