White High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Sheet 

Affordable, easy-to-form white plastic sheets for vacuum forming, prototyping, architectural models, and custom fabrication.

Bring your designs to life with White High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Sheets. This lightweight, impact-resistant thermoplastic is a popular choice for vacuum forming, thermoforming, product prototyping, and model making.

HIPS combines the rigidity of polystyrene with improved toughness, making it easy to cut, shape, and form into detailed components. When heated, it can be molded into three-dimensional shapes, making it ideal for product housings, packaging prototypes, architectural models, and custom parts.

Available in .020", .030", 2mm, and 3mm thicknesses, MakerStock White HIPS offers options ranging from ultra-thin modeling sheets to more rigid fabrication panels. Its clean, opaque white appearance is particularly useful for architectural models, presentation prototypes, and retail displays.

Why Buy from MakerStock?

• Ideal for Vacuum Forming: Create three-dimensional parts, housings, trays, and prototypes.

• Versatile & Affordable: A cost-effective choice for product development, model making, and fabrication.

• Project-Ready Sizes: Convenient pre-cut sheets reduce preparation time and material waste.

• Four Thickness Options: Choose ultra-thin .020" and .030" sheets or more rigid 2mm and 3mm panels.

• Affordable and Fast Shipping: $12 flat-rate shipping per 50 lb box across the continental US from our warehouses in PA and UT.

• No Minimum Order Requirements: Order one sheet or stock up for classrooms, makerspaces, and production.

Perfect For

• Vacuum Forming & Thermoforming: Product housings, trays, covers, enclosures, and formed components.

• Product Prototyping: Concept models, functional mockups, packaging prototypes, and design testing.

• Architectural & Scale Models: Building details, structural elements, presentation models, and scenery.

• Retail Displays & Signage: Point-of-sale displays, fixtures, and printed promotional components.

• Engineering & Design Education: Classroom projects, fabrication training, and prototype development.

• Custom Fabrication: CNC-routed components, templates, panels, and decorative pieces.

Project Inspiration

• Industrial Designers: Vacuum form prototype housings, packaging inserts, and product enclosures.

• Architecture Students: Build detailed scale models, building components, and presentation pieces.

• Engineering Programs: Develop functional prototypes, test models, and formed components.

• Retail Designers: Create printed displays, presentation fixtures, and custom signage.

• Makers: Experiment with thermoforming, precision cutting, and dimensional fabrication.

Explore Related Products

• Black HIPS Sheets: The same versatile material in black for forming, modeling, and fabrication.

• Black Acetal (POM-C): A precision-machinable engineering plastic for mechanical components.

• Cast Acrylic Sheets: Ideal for laser cutting, displays, and decorative projects.

• Polycarbonate Sheets: A tougher option for impact-resistant enclosures and protective components.

Specifications

• Material: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

• Color: White, opaque

• Nominal Thicknesses: .020" (0.51mm), .030" (0.76mm), 2mm (0.079"), 3mm (0.118")

• Thickness Tolerance: ±10%

• Cutting Tolerance: +0"/-0.188"

• Forming: Vacuum formable and thermoformable

• Fabrication: CNC routable, sawable, drillable, die cuttable, and scoreable with appropriate tools

• Printing: Screen printable with compatible inks

• Masking: Unmasked on both sides; minor scratches and handling marks may be present

• Outdoor Use: Primarily intended for indoor applications unless UV stabilized

Vacuum Forming & Fabrication Tips

HIPS softens when heated and can be shaped over molds to create detailed three-dimensional components.

For best results:

• Heat evenly and avoid overheating or bubbling.

• Use molds with appropriate draft angles for easier part removal.

• Allow formed parts to cool before removing them from the mold.

• Account for material thinning in deep or complex shapes.

• Use sharp tools and appropriate feed rates when cutting or CNC routing.

Laser Cutting: Not recommended for general use. HIPS can melt, burn, and release hazardous fumes during laser processing. CNC routing or conventional cutting methods are preferred.

Pro Tip

Choose the thickness based on the level of detail, flexibility, and rigidity your project requires.

• .020" (0.51mm): Fine architectural details, miniature components, lightweight models, and shallow vacuum-formed parts.

• .030" (0.76mm): Scale models, packaging prototypes, detailed formed shapes, and lightweight enclosures.

• 2mm (0.079"): General-purpose prototypes, formed housings, and display components.

• 3mm (0.118"): More rigid enclosures, larger prototypes, and structural model components.

For vacuum forming, remember that material stretches and becomes thinner in certain areas. Select your starting thickness based on the finished part's requirements.

FAQs

What is High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)?

HIPS is a rubber-modified polystyrene that offers improved toughness and impact resistance. It is widely used for vacuum forming, prototyping, displays, and manufactured components.

Can White HIPS be vacuum formed?

Yes. White HIPS is well suited for vacuum forming and thermoforming, allowing flat sheets to be heated and shaped into three-dimensional parts.

Can HIPS be CNC routed or cut with a knife?

Yes. HIPS can be CNC routed, drilled, sawed, and cut using appropriate tools. The thinner .020" and .030" sheets are particularly suitable for precision knife cutting and model-making applications.

Can HIPS be laser cut?

Laser cutting is not recommended for general use due to melting, fire hazards, and potentially hazardous fumes.

What thicknesses are available?

MakerStock offers White HIPS in .020" (0.51mm), .030" (0.76mm), 2mm (0.079"), and 3mm (0.118").

Is White HIPS suitable for outdoor use?

Standard HIPS is primarily intended for indoor use. Extended UV exposure can cause discoloration and brittleness unless the material is specifically UV stabilized.

Are the sheets masked?

No. Sheets are supplied without protective masking on either side. Minor scratches and handling marks may be present.

Can I order custom sizes?

Yes. Contact support@makerstock.com to discuss custom sizing requirements.