Bronze Plaque Review & Alternative

By Mike Wallis

Bronze Plaque Pluses

Bronze memorial plaques are a great way to pay tribute to a special person or simply provide information for a location. They offer a lasting, durable solution in indoor and outdoor environments. Because bronze plaques are made of metal they are strong.

There are however some points to consider when choosing to use a bronze plaque especially in outdoor environments. We'll review some of the major issues to consider when deciding to go with a bronze plaque.

Bronze Plaque Negatives

1. Tarnish - Bronze plaques typically contain a mixture of copper and tin which over time will tarnish into a greenish black color. The green comes from the copper and the black is a result of the tin. To remove the tarnish you can use a simple cleaning solution such as vinegar, salt and flour.

2. Theft - Although this is almost unthinkable especially for memorial plaques, bronze plaques have recently increased in theft. This is because the main ingredient in bronze (copper) has risen in price by 500%. This makes bronze memorials and other outdoor bronze plaques a big target for thieves who want to recycle the bronze for some quick money.

3. Cost - Cast Bronze plaques are the most expensive on the market and for good reason. They are labor intensive. The typical process includes creating the artwork, making a cast, casting the molten bronze, painting (if needed), polishing and finally cleaning up the rough edges. On top of the labor intensive process there's the cost of the bronze which as discussed has increased dramatically in the last few years (around 500%). An alternative to Expensive Cast Bronze is a Laser Fused Brass Plaque. Laser Fused Brass plaques are fused with a porcelain coating instead of casting. This decreases the production time dramatically as well as the cost.

4. Turn around time - Because cast bronze plaques are labor intensive the turn around time is usually between 2-4 weeks. If a bronze plaque is required for the application there are some alternates to the standard cast bronze. Laser Fused Brass Plaques can typically be completed within 2-3 days making them a good choice when speed and quiality is needed. Click here to see our Laser Fused Bronze Plaques.

The Alternatives - Granite and Laser Fused Bronze Memorial Plaques

Over the years we have had many customers who have decided to choose granite plaques over bronze. The two main reasons were one, they previously had a bronze plaque and it was stolen and two the cost. Granite is one of the most weather resistant stones available and is the fourth hardest element known to man. This simply means that it weathers and fades slowly. Because it's so durable it has become the standard for headstones and monuments.

Using the same points from the bronze plaque above lets compare it to a granite memorial plaque.

1. Tarnish - Because granite in not a metal it will not tarnish.

2. Theft - Do a search for "Stolen granite plaques" and you will not see much. This isn't not because granite is not an attractive plaque but because granite has very little if any, recycle value.

3. Cost - Granite memorial plaques are about 1/3 the cost compared to the bronze plaque of the same size. Granite plaques require significantly less labor to produce than bronze. The typical process includes preparing the artwork and text, cutting and finishing the edges, then laser engraving. The labor time involved is also about 1/3 of the bronze memorial plaque.

4. Turn around time - Because granite plaques are less labor intensive the turn around time is usually between 2-5 days, bronze is 2-4 weeks.

If you need help designing a memorial plaque we have dedicated graphic artist to assist. This is a free service that is included with with any of our online orders. Click the link below to get started and submit for your FREE proof designed by our professional graphic artist.

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