Nameplates on frames

M

MikeM

True Grumbler
Joined
May 15, 2025
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57
Loc
TX
Business
Self-employed
I was going to start doing some brass nameplates and just wanted to pick some brains from people in the business.

1. Do a lot of customers ask for nameplates?
2. If so, what sizes/shapes - 0.75x3, 0.75x4, 1x3, 1x4? And shapes - scalloped (kinda like a rectangle with round half-circles on each end), fully rounded, rounded corner one. Just 90° rectangular?
3. I started this because I could find no one who would make a non-shiny weathered brass one for me. Do people prefer shiny gold ones or would there be people wanting lightly or fully (almost black, with light letters) aged ones?
4. Choices - the software I wrote can do any font or combination of fonts, size, huge selection of corners, line separators - would that be too much?
5. Would it help if you had software on a PC that would allow you to easily design a nameplate for a customer (and then send the file to me to produce)?

6. and of course - what would the good price point be? (shiny gold brass is easier to make than the aged since I age them by hand)
 
How are you making these?
Traditional brass plates are engraved either by hand or with a diamond drag engraving machine.
More modern technology uses dye-transfer methods and the substrate is often natural or colored aluminum.
A third option is laser engraving, but I’m not sure if brass is an option with that.
I use some of each in my business but there’s an engraver (trophy and awards business) nearby offering all of those options.
A better source for information might be to look at just what your potential competitors are offering.
Aged brass can be attractive, but it will continue to age unless the surface is isolated from the environment.
 
It's fiber laser engraving (it can handle any metals), I prefer not to do deep engraving, the letters are oxidized black (or, in case of dark patina, left bright brass) and it is all lacquered over, so it is "isolated from the environment" quite well.

I will post pics.

Here is the pic of the design software so far: as you can see,

As you can see in the pic, you just specify the size/style of the nameplate, each line, with its font, the separator # (choice of I think 28 now) and a corner (42 of those), then just adjust size, positioning and thickness of each.

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I will add it showing the nameplate in its color (bright, medium aged, heavily aged).

It is completely customizable, something that your friendly neighborhood awards store cannot do. Or wouldn't do, just for one order.
 
A nameplate requires a prominent, respected A R T I S T N A M E first. How many NAMES had you hear being mentioned or requested in the Grumble?
Not only the number of framing shops declined dramatically in the USA (and the rest of the world) but such a long, steady trend made most likely decorative, inexpensive, disposable artwork survive at the street level shops. There was never a large demand of nameplates at the Grumbler's level, when such items were just accidentally mentioned and needed, many years ago, when TG numbered thousands of daily active members who occasionally could sell a Munn type of frame for a precious, old painting.
Traditionally such platenames were made of engraved, gilded hardwood. Some 15 yrs ago an average price for those plates started at $30+ (4-5 inch long).
 
MikeM, What makes you sure that trophy shops have not updated to 21 century technology by owning their own laser engravers?
 
Well I visited quite a few - most have seriously old tech, some just don't want to do a one-off, and even those that do would charge ridiculous $ for designing a custom nameplate like I show above.

Oh and none do aged/weathered brass like I wanted...
 
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I did. I do my research (and I wanted nameplates for my own paintings). For brass plates, very little customization, again, and bright brass only.
 
It is not difficult to antique brass after you remove the lacquer finish. Use your artistic skills.
 
MikeM said:
It's fiber laser engraving (it can handle any metals), I prefer not to do deep engraving, the letters are oxidized black (or, in case of dark patina, left bright brass) and it is all lacquered over, so it is "isolated from the environment" quite well.

I will post pics.

Here is the pic of the design software so far: as you can see,

As you can see in the pic, you just specify the size/style of the nameplate, each line, with its font, the separator # (choice of I think 28 now) and a corner (42 of those), then just adjust size, positioning and thickness of each.

View attachment 54488

I will add it showing the nameplate in its color (bright, medium aged, heavily aged).

It is completely customizable, something that your friendly neighborhood awards store cannot do. Or wouldn't do, just for one order.
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I love, love, LOVE this! Especially if there was an option of a variety of materials. We have clients frequently asking for brass plaques that we currently fill with a guy down in Florida, but I'm not in love with the quality sometimes. The UI looks great! Clean and legible, though as a layman I'm lost as to what the buttons on the left do, but I'm sure I'd figure it out.

If you can do something yourself, and do it better than everyone else, go for it! Competition keeps the industry healthy. Stagnation and mediocrity are why our industry is slowly bleeding out in front of our eyes.
 
K.Murphy said:
I love, love, LOVE this! Especially if there was an option of a variety of materials. We have clients frequently asking for brass plaques that we currently fill with a guy down in Florida, but I'm not in love with the quality sometimes. The UI looks great! Clean and legible, though as a layman I'm lost as to what the buttons on the left do, but I'm sure I'd figure it out.

If you can do something yourself, and do it better than everyone else, go for it! Competition keeps the industry healthy. Stagnation and mediocrity are why our industry is slowly bleeding out in front of our eyes.
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Thank you. You're the first one who said you frequently get such requests. Any reason why it is different for you from the others in this thread?

I am getting it all together right now - the blanks supplier of different sizes, the laser files, the work flow of how you (the framer) would design it on this software and send it, how I would charge for it, etc. Takes amazing amount of time deciding how to do it, experimenting with various things and waiting for the supplies to arrive...

I will post the finished samples soon. Just need a few chemicals (like Benzotriazole) to get here.
 
JFeig said:
It is not difficult to antique brass after you remove the lacquer finish. Use your artistic skills.
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LOL. When the suppliers put their protective finish on brass, they use powder coating, usually. To remove it, I really am not sure what is needed, maybe a nuclear bomb. I tried all kinds of things. None managed to remove it.

So I went the way of ordering blanks directly from suppliers without any protective coating and processing that stuff myself. Benzotriazole seems to be the way to go.
 
One word...Amazon. I would order from a trophy supplier who we do framing for, just to reciprocate some business, but Amazon turn around time is faster.
Several to choose from.
Good Luck
 
Amazon/Etsy - yes, I went down that rabbit hole. All those people give very limited options. Some even cannot do non-English characters, the shapes and sizes are just set in stone. Like, to get a 5/8" x 3" with rounded ends is basically impossible. And getting anything but shiny gold ones - forget about it.
 
I don't get many requests, but I would be happy to give a fellow Grumbler the business. I like the option of more choices. Would you sell a sample set?

I do shadowboxes for a police department and they always want a larger plaque (9x4) and they are not picky. I used to have a supplier for that but they stopped doing this. The PD found a different source that they are using now

I have a few older customers who might be interested, but it is a rarity to get a request.
 
Thanks for the support Ylva :) As I said I am in a setting up stage. I think I will also do a gilded hardwood option (am experimenting with that)...

Once it is a go, I will post here. And probably set an ebay store etc.
 
I have finally gotten all my ducks in a row. I put the designer app in Microsoft Store - https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xpfm4dx4b7ctxx Brassery Nameplate Designer - Download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store. It allows a frame shop to design a nameplate to their exact spec, right in front of the customer, then send it to me (I would provide a License Key on request that would open up the Send function and would ID who is sending the nameplate spec to me), I would produce the nameplate and send it to them and invoice them on it.

(Nameplates would be brass with gold/aged/very aged as an option, and gilded basswood ones).

I would like to, if possible, have pros download/run the app, play with the designer, and maybe give me some criticism and/or suggestions.

If you're worried about downloading unknown software - I put it in MS Store - Microsoft vets all applications that it allows there.
 
Here are some pics: the last one is the gilded wood plates
 

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MikeM said:
Um no - did I misspell something in my samples?
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I don't think that's the issue. People mis-spell allll the time when ordering plaques. Get people to see what they are asking for twice or thrice. I have mis-ordered plaques despite double checking. A built in spell checker is one step to help the masses. Getting them to reread and approve what they are submitting is another absolutely wonderful idea for someone in this business. It absolves you of their errors when you say HEY YOU LOOK AT THIS AGAIN... IS IT RIGHT? BECAUSE I'M PRINTING IT THE WAY YOU GIVE IT TO ME.
 
It's called proofing and I don't have my engraver do anything until the client signs off on the proof.
It's easy to cut and paste.
That's how the engravers load the text into their software.
It's also just as easy to cut and paste a misspelling.

If you are anything of a grammarian, you can also suggest edits.
Lots of people who arrange the text for a plate aren't English majors.
 
wpfay said:
It's called proofing and I don't have my engraver do anything until the client signs off on the proof.
It's easy to cut and paste.
That's how the engravers load the text into their software.
It's also just as easy to cut and paste a misspelling.

If you are anything of a grammarian, you can also suggest edits.
Lots of people who arrange the text for a plate aren't English majors.
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I just added the spellcheck (for US English) in the proggie:

1776121966049.webp
 
Looks like I can't do anything without a license. The font does not stick, neither does 'corners' (clicking on them gives me a quick flash view)

I assume custom text should appear when I start typing my own, but it didn't do that.
 
Ylva - it's not the license.

1. Corners, Fonts etc. You click and hold. The choice selection shows up. You move the mouse over the choices to select. Release the mouse to pick the selection.

2. You just type the text - as you type, nothing changes. Either clicking "Process" or just tabbing out of the text box will show you the changes on the nameplate.

3. The Font selection - applies to the line currently highlighted (you see the 1-2-3 on the right). Same with the Separator selection.

Maybe I should do a youtube video on how to do this. I tried to make the UI as intuitive as possible :)
 
Okay, I did click and hold. The corners stuck, the font didn't seem to stick. I can see my text on the first box, but not on the sample name plate at all, even after 'process'.

I will try again when I have a bit more time to play

I hope others will download as well and give some feedback
 
I made a quick video demo:
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(I hate to hear my own voice)
 
Couple of plaque comments for you:

- the majority of plaques I’ve installed have been in the bottom mat border, not on the frame. The plaques were almost always rectangular, some were scalloped. I’d rather go with placing them in a caption cutout than nailing or glueing them on top of a frame. Pre-Covid prices for a 1”x3” plaque ranged between $12-$20 Cdn.

- up here in eastern Ontario, it was really difficult to find a good supplier, and I had to drive to drop off and pick up. I switched my approach, and asked the customer to get the plaque done. Over the past eight or so years, both local trophy suppliers shut down, so online would be the best answer now. I’d still ask the customer to do their own ordering, because at times when I ordered something for a customer, the customer walked away if they didn’t like it.

- 12 years ago one of my customers needed 450 plaques in a hurry; it was fastest and cheapest to source them from China. Crazy!
 
hm - re-download it, I made some changes I think it wasn't parsing "Corner" right, it was expecting "Cor" - should be ok now. Did you see the video?

Also - if you used the license key i sent you, design a couple of frames and send them to me. I will send you the plates so you can see what the result is.
 
Yes, I did use the license key. I will reinstall or update and see if that makes a difference.

Thank you for the very generous offer! That way I can display them in my shop.

One more question; do you offer them in silver/aged silver? Just curious!
 
Ylva said:
One more question; do you offer them in silver/aged silver? Just curious!
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I played with this too last night. It's a nice setup with lots of options that would work well in my area, but I live in a coastal community where silver is the #1 aesthetic. If that's not an option, by default I probably wouldn't even consider this avenue.
 
Same for me Mary Beth. Also coastal community and silver/aged silver frames sell very well. The few nameplates I sell once in a while are antique silver.

But I do have some serious collectors who might appreciate brass/gold
 
Ylva said:
Same for me Mary Beth. Also coastal community and silver/aged silver frames sell very well. The few nameplates I sell once in a while are antique silver.

But I do have some serious collectors who might appreciate brass/gold
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ooo aged silver would be such a nice option.... I just have the bright brushed aluminum with black font available from my local engraver.(or gold with black or black with silver) It's great in a pinch, but it feels very sterile
 
Ylva said:
Yes, I did use the license key. I will reinstall or update and see if that makes a difference.

Thank you for the very generous offer! That way I can display them in my shop.

One more question; do you offer them in silver/aged silver? Just curious!
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Hm - silver would be stainless steel right? Or aluminum?

I would have to see where I can get the blanks. And how to age aluminum nicely... - can you show me some pics of aged aluminum?
 
Ylva said:
I don't know what is used. Once upon a time I had samples. I believe they were silver leaf, but somewhat oxidized.
I can't remember the supplier, they are no longer in business.
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I definitely can do silver leaf - the process is same. Will try.
 
Ylva said:
I don't know what is used. Once upon a time I had samples. I believe they were silver leaf, but somewhat oxidized.
I can't remember the supplier, they are no longer in business.
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I got the silver plates process down (but not oxidized). If you give me a couple of nameplate examples I can make them and post here.
 
I DM'd you.

For other framers here - if you'd like to, download the app from Microsoft App Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xpfm4dx4b7ctxx Brassery Nameplate Designer - Download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store , play with it, DM me here or email me (brasseryplates@gmail.com), I will give you the license key/ID for it, design a couple of plates, gilded wood or brass, (gilded wood I can do Gold/Silver) and Send them to me using the Send option in the app.

I will make those and send them to you. No charge. Obviously criticism/comments/suggestions would be welcome.
 
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I just downloaded your nameplate design software.
This is really cool!

I've been playing around with it for about 15 minutes and it is pretty easy to figure out with a bit of experimenting.
I like the Guides option, it helps with even line spacing. Nice touch.
A good selection of separators, corner accents and fonts. (I think I recognize at least some of those vector patterns).

I only get requests for nameplates on occasion.
There is a local engraver/trophy shop that offers a decent selection.
I always have my customer go there to take care of the nameplate details themselves.
I will assist in making sure the measurements are correct to give the engraver.

A framer having some nameplate samples to show off right at the design desk as an optional upgrade would likely increase interest.
And the ability to design the nameplate right there in front of the customer is a huge asset.
Just like visualization software for frame designing has become a big part of some framers process.
For framers (or their customers) without easy access to a local engraver, this could be a handy addition to some shops offerings.

One thing I've just noticed;
In the Size drop down menu you have six options for .75" high, three shapes for both 3" and 4" lengths.
The same six options for 1" high.
The .625" is only available as 3" length but not 4" like all the others.
Not sure if there is a logistics reason for that difference?

Overall, I'm quite impressed with this software.
Thanks for showing it to us. 👍
 
Thanks for the review :) The Size: I don't cut my own brass (I do cut my own wood though). So for brass I have to order blanks, and I figured that 5/8" is small enough that 4" would not be in demand.

About local engravers - they usually offer very limited options from what I have seen (as a consumer).

I'd offer to send you samples, but you being in Canada and shipping costing as much as a nameplate itself, it's just not economical...
 
MikeM said:
I'd offer to send you samples, but you being in Canada and shipping costing as much as a nameplate itself, it's just not economical...
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Totally understandable.
I've lamented here on the G many times about how many fantastic products and services available in the US can simply end up to be too costly to be worth the value to bring into Canada. At least in low individual quantities.
 
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