Non-Skirted PCR Plates for Flexible Laboratory Applications
Non-skirted PCR plates are 96-well thin-wall polypropylene plates with no surrounding border, offering the broadest thermal cycler compatibility, including instruments whose compression lids are obstructed by skirted formats. Available in standard-profile 0.2 mL and low-profile 0.1 mL well geometries; divisible formats allow plates to be separated into strips for smaller reaction sets.
MBP Inc. stocks non-skirted PCR plates for academic and clinical labs across the USA and Canada, with Quick Order and PO purchasing for research institutions. Contact customerservice@mbpinc.net to request a quote today!
Non-Skirted PCR Plates
What Are Non-Skirted PCR Plates?
Non-skirted PCR plates are 96-well polypropylene thermal cycling plates with no surrounding plastic border. The absence of a skirt gives them the lowest possible profile, making them compatible with the widest range of thermal cyclers — including older instruments and those with compression lids that leave insufficient clearance for a full or partial skirt. They are the standard choice for manual PCR workflows and labs that prioritise cycler compatibility over automation capability.
What you will find :
- Hard Shell 384-well PCR plates with rigid frame for stability in high-throughput runs
- Non-skirted 96-well PCR plates, a standard format for routine PCR workflows
- Hard Shell 96-well PCR plates with added durability and consistent well alignment
- Globe Scientific No Skirt PCR Plates, a trusted brand option for reliable performance
- PCR Plates, No Skirt general-purpose plates for everyday PCR applications
How to Choose Non-Skirted PCR Plates
Well Profile: Standard vs Low-Profile
Standard-profile 0.2 mL non-skirted plates fit conventional tall-block cyclers, including Bio-Rad T100 and Eppendorf Mastercycler. Low-profile 0.1 mL non-skirted plates are used with fast-block qPCR instruments such as Bio-Rad CFX96 Fast and Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus, where the compression lid requires a low plate profile.
Divisible vs One-Piece Plates
Divisible (breakable) non-skirted plates are perforated between rows or columns, allowing the plate to be separated into 8-tube strips or smaller sections. This format suits labs running fewer than 96 reactions per plate and reduces plastic waste by avoiding partial-plate discard. One-piece plates are the standard format for full 96-well workflows.
Colour: Clear vs White
Clear non-skirted plates are standard for end-point PCR and top-read qPCR. White non-skirted plates improve fluorescence sensitivity in bottom-read optical configurations on instruments such as the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio bottom-read modes.
Handling Considerations
Non-skirted plates are less rigid than skirted formats and can flex during multichannel pipetting if not supported by a plate rack or nest. Use a non-skirted plate rack when dispensing with an 8-channel pipette to prevent well deflection and inconsistent fill volumes.
Cap Mats and Sealing
Non-skirted plates are sealed with cap mats (silicone or rubber) or adhesive films applied directly to well rims. The absence of a skirt means that heat sealer clamping must be applied carefully to avoid plate deformation.
Specifications Context
Non-skirted plates are moulded from virgin polypropylene with uniformly thin, well walls (0.25–0.35 mm) for rapid thermal conductivity. The well colour options (clear, white) affect optical performance; clear is the default. Certified DNase-free, RNase-free, human DNA-free, and PCR inhibitor-free per independent lot testing. As of 2026, non-skirted plates remain the highest-volume PCR plate format globally due to broad cycler compatibility and the lowest per-plate cost.
Reach out to the MBP team to request details or pricing for the right fit for your lab.
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