Outline 4D number plates take a laser-cut 3mm solid black acrylic character and bond a thin raised outline around its edge, so every letter and digit has a second, narrower step that catches light along its perimeter. The outline gives each character two edges instead of one. Sold as a pair (front and rear) for cars and vans, made in County Durham by a DVLA-registered number plate supplier on a reflective BS AU 145e plate. Order before 2pm on a working day with your documents approved and we make them the same day.
How it is made
Each character is cut twice on the laser: once as the full 3mm Charles Wright character, and once as a slim outline that follows its edge. The outline is bonded to the face of the character, and the finished character is bonded with a high-strength adhesive to a white front or yellow rear reflective plate that carries our supplier name, postcode and the BS AU 145e mark. Both layers are solid black acrylic, so the plate reads as a single shade of black from every angle. It is one of three layered styles built on the 3mm character, alongside Hover, which raises the character on a thinner one behind it, and Shadow, which steps a thinner character on top; Retro is shaped rather than layered, with a pyramid profile. The plain 4D 3mm plate is the same character without the outline. Our 4D number plates guide compares every style.
Is it road legal?
Yes, when the finished plate meets BS AU 145e. The outline is solid black, the same shade as the character, so the plate keeps a single-colour character on a plain reflective background; the font, size, spacing and supplier mark are the same as on any plate we make. What stops a camera reading a plate is tint, a patterned background, a non-standard font or spacing, or damage, not raised characters. Our guide to 3D and 4D number plate legality covers the rules, ANPR and infrared.
A proposed BSI amendment that would stop the production of raised-character plates was consulted on until 13 December 2025 and is still under consideration; nothing has been adopted, BS AU 145e:2018 remains the current standard, and 4D plates remain legal to make, sell and fit. We have not been told when any change would take effect or how plates already fitted would be treated, and we will say so here as soon as we are. Checked 8 September 2026.
Sizes
A standard car plate is 520mm × 111mm. Outline is also made as a shortened plate cut to your registration with a 16mm margin, a 4x4 square rear plate, an oversize rear plate and a hex plate.
Care
Wash by hand or with a pressure washer, but do not direct the jet straight at the outlines from close range; keep solvents and abrasive polish off the characters. See cleaning your 3D or 4D number plates.
Warranty
36 months against manufacturing defects, which covers the plate, the print and the bond between the layers and the plate. It does not cover damage from fitting, impact or chemicals.
What to order
Select Outline in the plate builder. Timings and postage are under delivery options. We will ask for the proof of registration described under valid documents before we start.