Outdoor Plaques
Built not only to endure the ravages of the great outdoors, but also to age with style, our cast and etched signs offer superior craftsmanship.
Because each job is a custom job, you will have to call us directly at 888-805-7253 or email us at sales@123-Awards.com so that we can put together an estimate for you.
Please review some of the options below and visit our samples page to give yourself an idea of what might work for your situation. Some of the information we will require is: the size you want, the number of letters you want, and whether-or-not there is a picture or logo. Please note that there is a minimum physical size that letters can be reproduced at for cast signs, and that this will sometimes dictate the overall size of the plaque. Production times are from 10 to 15 days.
Cast & Architectural Plaques
Whether your plaques are Cast, Architectural, Etched, or those requiring ADA specifications, 123-Awards.com can create the marker, seal or plaque you need in just a few days. While many plaque manufacturers need 4 to 6 weeks to deliver your plaque, 123-Awards.com can ship your plaque in just 8 working days after approval of your artwork – all with NO extra charges and NO hidden fees. We use a variety of methods to manufacture your plaque – all using virgin materials of the purest alloys. Whether you require lead and mercury free bronze, high-grade aluminum, lead-free brass or #304 or even #316 stainless steel, 123-Awards.com has the metal you need to make a lasting impression. Recognize someone for a job well done, a retirement, winning an award, memorialize a loved one or commemorate a historic place – our specialized plaque sales staff is ready to assist you.
Etched Plaques
STAINLESS STEEL Alloy 304; Optional Alloy 319. Thicknesses include 1/16", 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4".
COMMERCIAL BRONZE (90/10) Alloy C22000; 90% Copper, 10% Zinc. Thicknesses include 1/16", 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4".
NAVAL BRASS (60/39/1) Alloy C46400; 60% Copper, 39.25% Zinc, .75% Tin. Thicknesses include 1/16", 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4".
COPPER Alloy C11000; Thicknesses include 1/16", 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4".
Options
Integrated Logos & Emblems
123-Awards.com has the capability to add a custom emblem or logo to your plaque in two different ways; The plaque can be made with the emblem/logo as part of the plaque. Detail is somewhat limited by the manufacturing process. The second way is a separate etched piece attached to your plaque. This process has nearly no detail restrictions. However, additional charges will apply.
Letter Styles
Below are some of the most common typestyles seen on plaques today. You can choose from these or any standard 123-Awards.com typestyle. Note: Times New Roman, Bookman Old Style & Myriad can be made as small as 1/4" all upper case or 3/8" upper/lower case.
Rejuvinate Your Plaques
After years of exposure your plaque will show signs of aging. Bronze plaques will begin to patina, while aluminum plaques will lose their raw aluminum appearance and will begin to have an oxide skin on the surface of all exposed aluminum. If you would like to bring back to life your existing plaque with a fresh background coating with new brushed satin raised copy then 123-Awards.com's rejuvenation program may be for you. Please call 123-Awards.com and send us a photograph of your plaques current state, because not all plaques can undergo this treatment. Typically, rejuvenation is 50% of the price of a new plaque, but may vary depending on plaque material, condition, age, and origin of manufacture.
Portrait Options
Bas Relief
We start with a photograph. Although we can use almost any quality photograph, the better the image the better the modeling effort. Remember, the finished image will be an artist's interpretation of this photograph. An image of the clay model is sent to you via email for your comments or approval. When approved, the clay model is used for the bronze and aluminum casting process. The bas relief is mechanically attached to the plaque background. Standard overall height of 6" to 12" with a finished depth of 3/4" to 1". (6 week lead time.)
Etched
The etching process allows you to forever replicate your photograph, line drawing or complex artwork. This method utilizes a halftone dot pattern made from a 50-line screen. Halftone portraits resemble newspaper photographs, and have visible dot patterns. The etched, recessed dots are black ink filled to contrast with the satin finished metal background. The best photographs for halftone etched portraits have high contrast tones with bright white areas, dense black areas and minimal grey tones. Photos that are monotone or have muted colors will produce poor halftone etchings. Halftone etchings are available in stainless steel, bronze, brass & copper.
Oval, Round & Rectangular Ceramic Inserts
123-Awards.com’s ceramic inserts use a standard-sized blank as its base. A photograph is scanned at high resolution and a digital transfer is produced and applied to the blank. A clear glaze is applied over this transfer and the insert is fired in a kiln. (6 week lead time.)
Flat Relief
An alternative to the expense and time-consuming process of a bas-relief plaque, 123-Awards.com’s Flat Relief plaques are able to reproduce a two-dimensional casting that is attached to an architectural or cast plaque. The process starts with a good quality photograph or illustration from which our craftsmen create a black and white rendering. Suitable for interior or exterior applications, they perfectly fit the bill when your project requires a portrait but the budget won’t allow for Bas-Relief. Call for quote.
PhotoRelief
A seamless blend of casting and photography, PhotoRelief™ is perfectly suited for unique signage, historical markers, or any plaque that tells a story with words and pictures. Through 123-Awards.com’s innovative technologies, we can use one photograph or several to create a simple and elegant plaque or a breathtaking collage that illustrates the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
PhotoRelief
123-Awards.com introduces the latest concept in plaque signage: PhotoRelief™. This groundbreaking process uses photographs to create superb plaques, memorials and historical markers. PhotoRelief™ is different from other imaging techniques due to the actual sculpting of the photos into the base metal. In this way, it is similar to the Bas Relief without a sculptor’s interpretation of the image.
A seamless blend of casting and photography, PhotoRelief™ is perfectly suited for unique signage, historical markers, or any plaque that tells a story with words and pictures. Through 123-Awards.com’s innovative technologies, we can use one photograph or several to create a simple and elegant plaque or a breathtaking collage that illustrates the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Using aluminum or bronze, 123-Awards.com can produce a PhotoRelief™ plaque in any size or shape up to 40" to 64". Our designers will work with you on the layout of your plaque. And, thanks to our technologically advanced process, we can ship your plaque in just 12 days after approval of artwork. 123-Awards.com’s full range of color and finishing options are also available; call a plaque sales representative for more details. And like all 123-Awards.com plaque products, PhotoRelief™ plaques are Guaranteed for Life.
Every picture tells a story, so why not let your plaque be more than just words – use a PhotoRelief™ plaque to combine words and pictures for a truly memorable plaque, memorial or historical marker.
Full Color Giclée Panels & Inserts
Giclée - (zhee-clay) is the term for high quality reproductions of works of art utilizing high resolution ink jet printers. This process is now developed for your images on stand alone metal panels or as inserts into your architectural plaques. Using UV cured non-elastic inks at up to 1200 dpi resolution-- 123-Awards.com can print your image as a way to accent any of your recognition, wayfinding, or signage needs. The image reproduced will show any imperfections found in the original image, and will only be reproduced with the same resolution as the original image.
Available in sizes up to 4' x 8', (40" x 64" with raised copy or border) these Giclée panels are designed for any exhibit or display uses where more permanency is required than traditional digital printing. 123-Awards.com can integrate raised borders, copy, or other graphical elements that you can blend with your image to produce stunning projects.
The combination of our high resolution printing, abrasion resistant powdercoat, and premium base materials result in a “picture perfect” product that is excellent for all indoor applications and even some exterior ones.
