posted
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?
posted
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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
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.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
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.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
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.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5089 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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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
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
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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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.
-------------------- Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. but what do I know anyway...I've only been doing this for 20 years! Posts: 368 | From: Dresden, Ont.,CAN | Registered: May 1999
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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
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 ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
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.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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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
-------------------- WILLIAM F. BETZ WILD BILL AND ASSOCIATES 40207 MORAVIAN CLINTON TWP. MI. 586-469-7676 WILDBILLSIGNS@AOL.COM Posts: 8 | From: CLINTON TWP. MI. | Registered: Mar 2003
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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.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5089 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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