Shadow 4D number plates start with a laser-cut 3mm solid black acrylic character on the plate and step a thinner, slightly smaller character on top of it, so each letter and digit has a raised centre with a ledge running round its edge that reads as a shadow in daylight. 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
Two characters are cut on the laser for every position: the full 3mm Charles Wright character, which is bonded to the plate, and a smaller one, 2mm thick, which is bonded to its face with its edge inset all the way round. The visible top sits 5mm above the surface and the ledge below it is the "shadow". Both layers are solid black acrylic on a white front or yellow rear reflective plate that carries our supplier name, postcode and the BS AU 145e mark. Shadow is the reverse of Hover, where the thinner character sits behind the 3mm one and lifts it off the plate; the other layered style is Outline, Retro is shaped rather than layered, and the plain 4D 3mm plate is the single character on its own. Our 4D number plates guide compares every style.
Is it road legal?
Yes, when the finished plate meets BS AU 145e. The stepped top layer is cut from the same solid black acrylic as the character below it, so the plate shows one shade of black on a plain reflective background, with the font, size, spacing and supplier mark the same as on any plate we make. The ledge does not affect readability: what stops a camera reading a plate is tint, a patterned background, a non-standard font or spacing, or damage. 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. Shadow 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
Rinse the plate when you wash the car; a pressure washer at a sensible distance is fine, solvents and abrasive polish are not. 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 Shadow in the plate builder. Send the proof of registration listed under valid documents and choose a postage option from delivery options; we return plates and documents in the same parcel.