TAP Plastics
TAP Plastics is a 1961-founded specialty plastics retailer operating 14 stores and an e-commerce site across California, Oregon, and Washington, selling cut-to-size plastic sheets, fabrication supplies, and custom plastic parts to DIY homeowners, makers, and professional fabricators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersSan Leandro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What TAP Plastics does
TAP Plastics is a specialty plastics retailer and custom fabricator founded in 1961 and headquartered in San Leandro, California. The company operates 14 retail storefronts across California (11 stores), Oregon (2 stores), and Washington (1 store), complemented by an e-commerce website at tapplastics.com and a dedicated custom fabrication facility. Its product portfolio centers on cut-to-size plastic sheets including acrylic (plexiglass), polycarbonate, HDPE, polyethylene, and polyester, along with rods, tubes, films, fiberglass fabrics, resins, adhesives, mold-making materials, signage supplies, and personal protection equipment. Sub-brands include TAP Silicone RTV and TAP Platinum Silicone mold-making systems, Envirotex Lite polymer coatings, and EX-74 Ultra-Glo epoxy.
The company serves three primary customer segments: DIY homeowners tackling home improvement projects; makers and hobbyists (including cosplay, jewelry, and art applications) requiring small-quantity specialty materials; and professional fabricators, contractors, marine businesses, and signage companies needing bulk pricing, consistent quality, and custom fabrication capabilities. Distribution occurs through walk-in retail, online ordering with ship-to-home or in-store pickup, and quote-based custom fabrication services for commercial customers.
Revenue is generated through one-time retail product sales (cut-to-size plastics starting at approximately $15 per unit) and professional custom fabrication services quoted per project. Marketing is multi-channel, combining the e-commerce storefront, an extensive YouTube instructional video library, and active engagement on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter/X. TAP Plastics is a privately held company with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, or public filings, operating as an independent specialty retailer with 11–50 employees.
TAP Plastics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TAP Plastics
- Legal name
- TAP Plastics
- Website
- https://tapplastics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TAP Plastics is a 1961-founded specialty plastics retailer operating 14 stores and an e-commerce site across California, Oregon, and Washington, selling cut-to-size plastic sheets, fabrication supplies, and custom plastic parts to DIY homeowners, makers, and professional fabricators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TAP Plastics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Plastics Retail
- NAICS
- All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing (32611)
- SIC
- Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plastic Films & Laminated Packaging Structures Manufacturing (IMANAEAD)
Keywords
Where TAP Plastics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Leandro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices15 records
Markets served
TAP Plastics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Product Sales: Direct retail sales of plastics and fabrication supplies through 14 physical store locations and e-commerce website. Products include cut-to-size plastic sheets, rods, tubes, films, adhesives, resins, fiberglass materials, and professional tools.
- Custom Fabrication Services: Custom plastic fabrication services including cutting, drilling, routing, polishing, and finishing performed by TAP Fabrication professionals. Quote-based pricing for custom jobs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard cut-to-size plastic sheets starting at $15 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
TAP Plastics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TAP Plastics is a specialty retailer and custom fabricator of plastic materials, operating 14 retail stores across California, Oregon, and Washington alongside an e-commerce website. It sells cut-to-size plastic sheets (acrylic/plexiglass, polycarbonate, HDPE, polyethylene, polyester), rods, tubes, films, fiberglass fabrics, resins, mold making materials, adhesives, window films, signage materials, and personal protection equipment. It also provides quote-based custom plastic fabrication services (cutting, drilling, routing, polishing, and finishing) performed by in-house TAP Fabrication professionals for both DIY and commercial customers.
Product overview
TAP Plastics is a specialty plastics retailer and distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of plastic materials and fabrication services. The core offering centers on custom cut-to-size plastics including plexiglass (acrylic), polycarbonate, HDPE, and polyethylene sheets. The product line extends to related materials including fiberglass fabrics and resins, mold making supplies (silicone RTV systems, urethane RTV), adhesives and bonding supplies, window films, and plastic rods/tubes/shapes. Key sub-brands include Envirotex Lite polymer coatings, EX-74 Ultra-Glo pour-on coatings, and TAP-branded silicone mold-making systems. The company differentiates through custom fabrication services performed by in-house professionals, supporting both DIY customers and commercial users. Additional offerings include display cases, signage materials, recycled plastic options, and personal protection equipment. The business operates as a traditional e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail model without any software platform or API offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Cut-to-Size Plastics Plastic sheets cut to customer-specified dimensions across plexiglass (acrylic), polycarbonate, HDPE, polyethylene, and polyester materials for DIY homeowners, makers, and professionals.
- Polycarbonate Sheets High-impact resistant polycarbonate plastic sheets (up to 250x stronger than glass) for glazing and structural applications, sold in custom cut sizes.
- Acrylic / Plexiglass Sheets Cast and extruded acrylic sheets known for clarity, polish, and visual impact, available in multiple colors and finishes for DIY, commercial, and decorative use.
- HDPE Sheets (King StarBoard) High-density polyethylene sheets for industrial applications, cutting boards, and marine use, built to withstand moisture and UV exposure.
- Fiberglass Fabrics and Resins Complete line of fiberglass materials including fabrics, polyester resins, epoxy systems, gel coats, and mold releases for composite manufacturing and repair.
- Mold Making Materials Silicone RTV systems, urethane RTV, modeling materials, and casting molds for mold making and resin casting applications, including TAP Silicone RTV (tin cure) and TAP Platinum Silicone (platinum cure) systems.
- Adhesives and Bonding Supplies Industrial adhesives, glues, sealants, and plastic solvent cements including Weld-On and SCIGRIP branded products for plastic fabrication and repair.
- Window Films Auto tint films, safety and security window films, and residential/commercial window tint films with UV protection.
- Plastic Rods, Tubes, and Shapes Extensive inventory of plastic rods, tubes, circles, and custom shapes in acrylic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, and other materials for fabrication and structural projects.
- TAP Fabrication Services Custom plastic fabrication services including cutting, machining, and custom part manufacturing performed by TAP Fabrication professionals for DIY and commercial customers, priced by quote based on material, dimensions, quantity, and complexity.
- Envirotex Lite Polymer Coating High-gloss polymer coating for table tops, bar tops, and craft projects, providing a durable clear finish.
- EX-74 Ultra-Glo Pour-On Epoxy Pour-on surface coat epoxy resin for large areas, tables, and bar tops requiring professional application procedures.
- Carbon Fiber Fabrics Lightweight, rigid carbon fiber materials and specialty fabrics for aerospace, automotive, and high-performance applications.
- Decorative Acrylic Plexiglass Decorative acrylic sheets for interior and architectural design applications such as privacy screens, combining aesthetics with functionality.
- Light Diffusers Commercial and decorative light diffusing panels including Satinice acrylic sheets for even light distribution.
- P99 Non-Glare Acrylic Non-glare UV-filtering plexiglass designed for picture frames and artwork display.
- Custom AC Window Vent Insert Panels Custom portable AC window vent insert panels for sealing and efficiently cooling spaces with portable air conditioners.
- Display Stands and Cases Pre-made and custom display stands, cases, and acrylic boxes for retail, trade shows, and personal collections.
- Personal Protection Equipment Personal protective equipment including safety glasses, gloves, and other safety gear for working with plastics and chemicals.
- Recycled Plastic Products Environmentally conscious recycled plastic materials for customers seeking sustainable options.
- Signage Materials Signage products including custom acrylic letters, sign frames, standoffs, and Gemini formed letters for professional signage.
Companies that use TAP Plastics
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TAP Plastics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
TAP Plastics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
TAP Plastics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Professional Plastics: National specialty plastics distributor offering cut-to-size plastic sheets, rods, tubes, and fabrication services across acrylic, polycarbonate, HDPE, and engineering plastics — directly overlapping TAP's core product line and customer segments of fabricators and OEMs.
- ePlastics: Online-cut-to-size plastics retailer specializing in acrylic, polycarbonate, and other plastic sheet products with rapid e-commerce fulfillment; competes head-to-head with TAP's online channel for DIY and small-business buyers.
- Interstate Plastics: Multi-location plastic sheet, rod, and film distributor serving industrial and DIY customers with online cut-to-size ordering and regional warehouses, overlapping TAP's West Coast and broader U.S. go-to-market.
- AIN Plastics: Distributor of plastic sheet, rod, tube, and film under the MRC Polymers group, serving fabricators and OEMs with engineering plastics; comparable in product depth and B2B focus to TAP's professional fabrication segment.
- Regal Plastics: Plastic sheet, rod, and film distributor with multiple U.S. branches serving industrial and commercial customers with custom cutting — overlaps TAP's brick-and-mortar distribution and B2B service model.
Emerging players
- Fibre Glast Developments: Specialty retailer of fiberglass fabrics, resins, and composite materials for marine, automotive, and prototyping applications — directly comparable to TAP's fiberglass/composites category and overlapping maker/hobbyist customers.
- US Composites: Online retailer of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and resin materials targeting hobbyists and small fabricators; overlaps TAP's composites category and DIY/maker customer segment with similar e-commerce motion.
Broad incumbents
- McMaster-Carr: Large industrial supply distributor carrying an extensive catalog including plastic sheet, rod, and tube products with industry-leading logistics; represents the broad-incumbent competitive ceiling on TAP's professional and DIY buyer base.
- W.W. Grainger: Massive industrial MRO distributor offering plastic sheets, rods, films, and safety supplies alongside a broad catalog; a broad incumbent that competes with TAP for B2B/MRO buyers in California and across its geographic reach.
Others
- Calsak Plastics (Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials): Supplier/distributor of specialty engineering plastics and laminates (formerly Calsak Plastics) operating as an upstream material supplier in the broader plastics distribution ecosystem that interacts with TAP's category through supply relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TAP Plastics social profiles
Digital presenceTAP Plastics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TAP Plastics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
TAP Plastics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TAP Plastics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TAP Plastics
What does TAP Plastics do?
TAP Plastics is a specialty retailer and custom fabricator of plastic materials, operating 14 retail stores across California, Oregon, and Washington alongside an e-commerce website. It sells cut-to-size plastic sheets (acrylic/plexiglass, polycarbonate, HDPE, polyethylene, polyester), rods, tubes, films, fiberglass fabrics, resins, mold making materials, adhesives, window films, signage materials, and personal protection equipment. It also provides quote-based custom plastic fabrication services (cutting, drilling, routing, polishing, and finishing) performed by in-house TAP Fabrication professionals for both DIY and commercial customers.
Is TAP Plastics a public or private company?
TAP Plastics is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was TAP Plastics founded?
TAP Plastics was founded in 1961. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TAP Plastics based?
TAP Plastics is headquartered in San Leandro, United States, in the North America region.
How does TAP Plastics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Fabrication Services.
Who are TAP Plastics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Professional Plastics, ePlastics, Interstate Plastics, AIN Plastics and Regal Plastics. Emerging players are Fibre Glast Developments and US Composites. Broad incumbents are McMaster-Carr and W.W. Grainger. Calsak Plastics (Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials) is listed as an others.
Does TAP Plastics have an API?
No public API is recorded for TAP Plastics.
What industry is TAP Plastics in?
TAP Plastics's product category is Specialty Plastics Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAEAD, Plastic Films & Laminated Packaging Structures Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 326199 and its SIC code is 3081.