Plaques

Plaque inscriptions, especially on awards given annually or periodically, are generally kept pretty simple with this information:

1. Organization (can be a logo or graphic)
2. Recipient name
3. Achievement/Award
4. Date presented

Personal messages are typically on culmination (retirement, end of service, and memorial) awards but can be added to any plaque.

Wall Plaques are either engraved or sublimated. Engraving is when the metal is removed with a blade and the inscription is the color beneath the surface.  Sublimation can be color is a permanent chemical process and is smooth to the touch. Of the two methods, sublimation is the less expensive. 

Our wall plaques typically feature a full metal plate over a black or cherry MDF wood base.  Solid wood bases are available, as are high-gloss finishes, but most clients don't opt for this more expensive option. If you need to cut costs, we can do smaller plates instead of a full coverage plate.

Wall plaques come in standard sizes and we keep most standard sizes in stock. The two most popular colors are black and cherry wood (this is woodgrain, not red). Standard sizes include: 4x6, 5x7, 6x8, 7x9, 8x10, and 10x13, with larger sizes and special shapes also available.

Sublimated plaques can have gold, silver, or white plates. There isn't white ink so any white on an image is displayed as the background plate color. Silver and gold can display images with cool effect. White aluminum, however, is the best for true photo representation or bright color pop.

Engraved plaques are most often black coated brass (gold letters on a black field) or aluminum (silver letters on a black field) as it provides the best contrast for readability. Engraving metal also comes in colors like blue, purple, and red but the cost is higher for these options.

Specialty plaques can feature figures, trim, and embellishments. These are available in a variety of materials and can make your plaque look quite distinctive. Examples of these embellishments include badges, gavels, patches, tools, service figures and symbols. 

We haven't mentioned acrylic plaques and these tend to be self-standing instead of hung on a wall. Acrylic awards look really nice on a shelf or desk and are generally more expensive than a metal and wood wall plaque. Acrylics also are available engraved or sublimated in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 

Cast Plaques and Metalphoto Plaques are best for outdoor use. Cast plaques have raised letters that you most often see mounted on buildings and historic markers.  These last decades and decades and can be refinished.  Materials are typically aluminum or bronze.  Backgrounds are paint-filled and can be one of several standard colors.

Metalphotos are created with a chemical etching process and are less expensive and more versatile as they can display logos, photos, and graphics.  The inscription/graphics on these are only black. Backgrounds can be silver or gold-toned.