Composite acrylic polymer rods having clear central regions and colored peripheral regions are prepared by polymerizing a flowable solution comprising acrylic monomer, dye and, dissolved therein, acrylic polymer, around a rod of acrylic polymer. Alternatively, a rod of acrylic polymer surrounded by a flowable mixture comprising partially polymerized acrylic monomer and dye is subjected to polymerization conditions to polymerize the flowable mixture.