I have been contacted by a customer who wants to build a cairn to commemorate I-don't-know-what, but they do not have the budget to buy a bronze plaque, as it has been quoted to them at $5000. I said I'd think about cheaper alternatives and contact them again.
It is supposed to be about 24"x36" with 100 words. I figure 0.75inches lettering and slightly taller for the heading. They are aware of the fact that it will not look as good and be as durable as a bronze plaque.
I've been considering:
a) screenprinted aluminium with automotive finish (durable but high gloss, don't like that)
b) as above with vinyl lettering (vandalism!)
c) Dibond with vinyl lettering (same problem)
d) As above with additional clear plexi or lexan (scratches could be a problem) How about real glass?
e) Digital print (could have a nice background but doesn't last long)
In either case, I'd like to have a frame of sorts. Where can I get that or what do you recommend?
Thank you for your input.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
HDU which is blasted like a tombstone? Covered with a hard-shell coating AFTER it has been faux-finished in metallic paint? Just thinking out loud. Love....Jill
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Neat idea, Jill.
I like the idea of having some depth to it. Isn't the lettering too small for this? What would you use for a "hard-shell coating"?
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I'd go for Corian (Counter Top Material) Lottie - I think it prices out at around $35 - $50 per square foot, so it would run you $200 - $300 for the substrate. It is very durable and looks really nice - lots of different looks to choose from. Either that or marble or granite, and get it blasted - 3/4 letters aren't too small to blast. You could try getting aluminum blasted too - I've never done it but I bet it would look good. You can gild (or paint)the incised lettering if you want it to be very classy. This is not a cheap replacement, but if it is for a cairn it would be worth it. Give me a call if you have any questions - I'm looking at something similar right now for a marker for an old school.
Posted by Brian Diver (Member # 1552) on :
How about finding someone with a waterjet or router and use aluminum? Then you can mount that on something.
Must be a pretty darn big cairn for a plack that big, usually when I'm out on the trail it's just a few stone maybe a foot high.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Call Gemini... They have a laser etched metal plaques that are very affordable. I looked into getting a plaque for Bert. they can do photos with it too. Very cool stuff.
I saw examples at the Atlantic City show when I was down there.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Yesterday, we completed a donor plaque of a similar description. Our plaque was for a city park.
We did a 28" x 36" sandblasted Black Galaxy Granite panel with 23K Gold leaf, Palladium leaf and Moongold leaf on various headings. There were about 130 words. The lettering was approximately 3/4" height Optima. Three fourths of an inch is getting a bit small for sandblasting into stone but it is still possible.
Doing it out of Granite and gilded was considerably cheaper than Bronze and the look was very impressive. The city officials raved over it and decided to call out the local news media for the unveiling. I don't think Bronze would have had the impact since there are so many Bronze plaques around.
I haven't received the finished photo from my stone mason yet. When I do, I'll post it.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Should have looked in the Gemini Cataloque first If I can talk them into reducing the size to 600 sq.in. (I also believe it's too big), I can get an etched plaque for $2000-2200. Now that would be 1/8 bronze or stainless steel. Sounds good to me.
Kelly, is that Corian material suited for long-term outdoor use? I don't remember if you're doing you're own blasting or not. Would you be interested in giving me a quote? This way I am hoping to be able to give two different choices.
I feel a bit sheepish for even talking about using vinyl Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Lotti, I was referring to that new product from Coastal Enterprises that I saw in the Merchant's page. But Gemini sounds like the way to go! Love....Jill
Posted by Dennis Veenema (Member # 833) on :
Lotti: I make a lot of plaques from Avian (like Corian). I sandblast myself, most of it in 1/2" text. I find it very durable. In eight years I haven't any failures.
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
I was going to recommend Gemini too. They also have a lifetime warranty on their products...something that is an easy upsell to the customer.
Suelynn
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
My first thought was that a Gemini plaque was out of their price class, but the etched plaques are indeed quite a bit more affordable.
David, I'd be very interested in seeing a picture of what you did. Can I ask how you priced that job? I've never had to guild so many small letters, did you find an easy way to do this?
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
This is a sign with corian substrate. The ROMEO TECHNOLOGIES was routed out of a piece of aluminum and then drilled holes into the corian and had it siliconed in.
The customer had already routed the aluminum out in his shop before he had contacted me. I ran into a problem because the Corian only comes in 30" wide and I really wanted more negative space around it. I now wish that I done it a little different.
[ January 21, 2005, 10:53 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Most cnc router people would love to do this for you at a given shop rate of 100. an hour or less.
Why not purchase a bronze anodized piece of 1/4' aluminum and route out the letters then fill them with a contrasting color of bronze epoxy paint.
I'll bet you could do it all for under 500. and still put 20 or 30 % in your pocket.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
What about sublimation on aluminum? I do layouts for a local guy who does all his plaques that way. I run him off a laser print, and he burns it on the metal. Really looks good. You could clear coat it to make it last outside.
Posted by WILLIAM BETZ (Member # 3732) on :
CORIAN INCISE ROUTED AND GILDED IS THE WAY TO GO. WE HAVE CORIAN JOBS OUTSIDE (IN MICHIGAN) FOR OVER 6 YEARS AND LOOKING LIKE NEW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A QUOTE LET US KNOW. WILD BILL
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Lotti,
This is the finished product. The sun was setting so the photos aren't the greatest. When I get better ones, I'll update the post.
"A WALK IN THE PARK" and "GOLD SPONSORS $500.00" was done in 23K Gold leaf. "DIAMOND SPONSORS $1000.00" was done in Moongold (Gold and Palladium). "SILVER SPONSORS $250.00" was done in Palladium leaf. The rest of the copy was paint filled. The Granite is Black Galaxy.
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