Plaques and Engraving

[Dranos]

Hello,

I have some clients interested in engraved signs. They showed me a sample of a small sign that seemed to be a black plate with shallow silver lettering engraved or etched into it. It was very simple, clean and elegant.

It looks to me like the same material used to do plaques and name plates etc. Can someone tell me where to buy these plates and which bit and set up to use in order to do these types of signs?

This seems to be a nice opportunity for me.

Thanks in advance.

[Big-Tex]

Did you take any pictures?

[Dranos]

I tried to but didn't get a good one due to glare. I have since looked at websites with plaques and name plates and am pretty sure its the same material.

The problem is that the sites I found are selling the finished product.

[joe]

Adrain,

There is a huge industry and there are lots of engraving plastics available. You can purchase most of the stock in 12"X24".

I've used some for cutting letter. I don't think you can compete withl the engraving machines. The tollenance are very strict, perhaps beyond what your SB can effectively make money at. There are lots of used engraving machines for sale. They come on the market all the time. Some are more manual and the larger shops quickly dump them.

Take a look at this website: http://www.bur-lane.com/bur-lane-series-awardmark
Perhaps you should google "Engraving Plastics"

Joe

[oddcoach]

It is probably an aluminum sheet with black paint. I buy mine from Harbor Sales in Maryland. http://www.harborsales.net/tabid/130/Default.aspx?ProductTypeId=61
I use the diamond tipped engraving bit from Russ Todd at http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/Default.asp
speed depends on the size of the letters and the amount of detail. I think I used 1 IPS
John

[bleeth]

Johnson Plastics sells a massive variety of engraving plastic in many color combinations. They are on line and will be glad to send you a catalog.

[paulkiecka]

Hello,

I have some clients interested in engraved signs. They showed me a sample of a small sign that seemed to be a black plate with shallow silver lettering engraved or etched into it. It was very simple, clean and elegant.

It looks to me like the same material used to do plaques and name plates etc. Can someone tell me where to buy these plates and which bit and set up to use in order to do these types of signs?

This seems to be a nice opportunity for me.

Thanks in advance.

I would try Johnson Plastics. They have several locations throughout the U.S. from which they ship. Dallas is one of them. THey will sell engraving stock in sheets of 12x24, 24x24 ans 24x 48" it shouldn't take more than a few days to have it shipped. I was a sign maker for 17 years and that's where we got our supplies from.

[Dranos]

Adrain,

There is a huge industry and there are lots of engraving plastics available. You can purchase most of the stock in 12"X24".

I've used some for cutting letter. I don't think you can compete withl the engraving machines. The tollenance are very strict, perhaps beyond what your SB can effectively make money at. There are lots of used engraving machines for sale. They come on the market all the time. Some are more manual and the larger shops quickly dump them.

Take a look at this website: http://www.bur-lane.com/bur-lane-series-awardmark
Perhaps you should google "Engraving Plastics"

Joe

I was worried that the detail might be a factor. I have a potentially large order of no smoking and directional signs that are about 6"x 8" with a chrome finish and black lettering.

I told the client that I could produce them but now I'm a bit nervous. I really need to try a sample.

Thank for the help everyone.