Doing Engraved Plaques Right

Honor and pride in a plate of metal. That is what engraved plaques are. Years of service or a great accomplishment will never fade away due to these precious mementos. They may not be pricey, but they truly are precious. And they always stand the test of time.

1. Plaque History

Engraved plaques have been around since man put his hand to work on metal sheets. Before paper ever became the common choice for writing, man has always put his history in words. His choice of material was usually stone, papyrus, and metal. Special occasions called for special stationery, and the stationery of that era would always be a special metal. Hence were born the earliest plaques.

The word plaque comes from the 19th century French word that means ornamental plate or tablet. They are often made of thin sheets of semi precious metals and are usually given to appreciate an accomplishment of individuals or groups.

2. What Are Plaques?

A commemorative plaque is usually a flat, decorative plate that is affixed to a wall. It often marks a significant person or event. In most countries, places with historical significance are often marked by bronze plaques. Most memorials in the United States are marked by plaques that tell the story of the significance of that place. And many of these plaques have been there for countless generations.

These plaques are made using a variety of metals

- Wood
- Steel
- Anodized aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Acrylic laminate
- Other materials

3. Plaque Ideas

If you are looking for something to commemorate an achievement, or a special event, look no further than engraved plaques to do the job. These plaques may be for your spouse, your children, or your friends. Engraved plaques are works of art and are a beautiful, beautiful way to celebrate a great occasion. And the kicker is, they are relatively inexpensive! You could even have them mass produced for a group of people or for a company and it still wouldn't take too much time or money.

4. Machining Methods

- Hand Engraved
This is an exotic art. For generations upon generations, the fine art of hand engraving has been passed down carefully. Today's artisans bear the artistry of many hundreds of years of skill. Hand engraved plaques may be pricey, but they are an authentic and rustic way of commemorating any occasion.

- Machine Engraved
The art of hand engraving has been largely replaced by machines. These machines engrave words and images accurately and effortlessly. Nevertheless, these machines still need skilled artisans to operate them. Plaques that result from such are also beautiful works of art

- Laser Engraved
Engraving is an old but respected art, but today's customers demand clear detail in the engravings. Using a high-power laser, engraving has now because simple yet beautiful. Laser engraving has truly changed the face of engraved plaques. It allows for the production of beautiful high-definition plaques. This process uses narrow-beam laser that creates high-detail images. The beams in question can be up to 4 millionths of an inch in diameter. This makes laser engraving a precision art and allows the engraver to burn in text, pictures and other high-detail elements on the plaque.

Laser engraving for plaques is suitable for the following plaques

- Academic or sports achievements
- Graduation
- Signage
- Donor's plaques
- Building markers
- Retirement
- Other plaques