Plaques Continued…

Here are few things that you should know before you begin shopping for a plaque.

• Budget – How much do you have to spend? Once you have your budget figured out, the staff at the engraving company can show you plaques that fit into your budget.
• Design – If you have a certain design in mind, let the staff know when you arrive. This will eliminate the time consuming process of searching through the entire inventory. You can even look through catalogs before you arrive at the store to choose the design that you like.
• Information – Make sure that you bring all the information that you would like to go on the plaque with you. This includes name(s) of recipients, and the correct spelling of their name(s). You should also try to have all the information in written form for the plaque company. This will speed the process up.
• Time Frame – Don't try show up at the retailer two or three days before your event. If you plan on giving out a plaque at an upcoming event, get in as soon as possible. The engraving process can take several weeks in some cases.

Types of Plaques

Plaques come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made out of a variety of materials. The only limiting factor to the type of plaque that you choose is often your budget. You can purchase inexpensive plaques, or plaques that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Plaques are typically made out of wood, plastic, glass or fiberglass. The material that you use may determine the life span of the plaque and the cost. Cheap plaques may look good when presented, but after a few years they tarnish and look shabby. More expensive plaques will last longer, and often look better when displayed.

The material that you use will also affect that type of engraving that you use. Engraving on wood is much different than engraving on glass. The time that the plaque maker needs to engrave on the material will often affect the final price. The number of letters that need to be engraved will also determine price.

By Chris Saunders