Wooden Medal Plaque

The first was the black-crystal faceplate. We liked how it made text and logos look sharp, almost floating on the surface. But crystal on its own can seem cold. So we put in a wood base. Reddish brown in color, solid to the touch, with grain patterns that tell their own story. The mix keeps it warm while maintaining the clean, professional look that corporate buyers seek.

We kept the shape simple. Rectangular because it fits almost any design. Three heights Not all accomplishments require similar scale. But every piece counts the same, so a small plaque doesn't feel like a consolation prize to a larger one.

How We Treat the Materials
Wood will change as it ages. That is not a flaw. That is tree. But that means we have to be careful how it is prepared before it becomes part of a plaque. Our hardwood is conditioned to a specific moisture range. Not too dry, not too damp. It's the kind of step that you won't see in the finished product, but it makes a real difference years from now.

The crystal receives similar treatment. Each faceplate is inspected before assembly. Any piece with bubbles or stress marks is thrown away. Those that pass inspection are mounted. We attach them to the wood here in a way that allows for the different ways these materials expand and contract. Crystal moves very little. That's what wood does. The connection has to take that without relaxing.

A lot of the plaques are short on the engraving. We spent some time figuring out the correct laser settings for crystal-which is different than glass, different than acrylic. Wood engraving has a different approach. Hardwoods and softwoods heat up differently. We compensate for each batch.

The Process of Custom Work
When you bring us a custom order, we don't start with templates. We begin with your design. Sometimes it is a finished artwork file. Sometimes it is a rough sketch, or maybe just a description of what you want. We work with what you give us.

The standard base is made of reddish-brown wood but it can be changed into lighter or darker kinds if you prefer. The finish can also be varied: clear for a natural look, matte for a more understated look, or a darker stain if you want more contrast with the crystal.

You receive a digital proof before we engrave anything. This shows exactly where the text & logos will go on the plaque. We will not go forward until we have your sign off. This has saved us from much misreading.

Quality Assurance
We test – every step, not just at the end. The wood is inspected before it is cut. Crystal is verified prior to engraving. Engraving inspected before assembly. The finished plaque gets a final once over before packing up.

Our quality approach includes the wood conditioning step we mentioned earlier. Materials and coatings are as usual, but we trust the actual handling of each piece more than documentation.

FAQs
Q: What kind of wood do you use as standard?
Hardwood, reddish brown, with a uniform grain. Other species are available upon request.

Q: Will the crystal scratch under normal use?
Day to day, it handles and displays well. Heavy impact is another story but that is the case for any crystal.
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Q: What is turnaround time?
A:Samples ship within 2 business days. All orders are shipped within 7 days.

Q. Can I order a mix of the three sizes?
A;Yes. Split quantities across sizes as required.