AbstractThis study presents a mechanical analysis of the deep drawing of thermoplastics in the glassy state. A theoretical stress analysis is conducted by applying principles of classical plasticity together with several assumptions. A simple model is presented relating drawing performance with the mechanical properties of the plastic measured under the conditions of the fabrication operation. An experimental procedure is described for evaluating the drawability of a plastic. Data on thirteen thermoplastics are used to demonstrate the applicability of the theory developed.