Design Information

This Design Information gives you the details of all the aspects of your bronze product that you can choose.

Size, Shape and Inscription

• Sizes and Dimensions

• Shapes

• Inscription/Text

Edge/Border

• Edge Types

• Woodgrain Edge Plaques

• Border

Emblems

• Flat Relief Emblems

• Bas Relief Emblems

• Sculptured Scenes

Other Design Extras

• Vases (as an addition to the Plaque)

• Integrated Vases

• Bronze Image Portraits

• Photo Portraits

Colour

• Background Colour

Fixing Surface/Attachment

• Fixing Surface

Sizes and Dimensions

As a basic rule, plaque or sign size is specified by the maximum horizontal width and height, in that order. Most plaques are between 75mm x 50mm (as a general minimum size) and 600mm x 400mm. However, dimensions from 30mm to 2 metres are possible!

Thickness is dependent on the overall size of the plaque or sign, but can range from 3mm for small plaques to 10mm for very large plaques. It is usually calculated automatically once you have specified the size of your plaque or sign.

Products that have specific size options (for example, some Memorial and Cremation Plaques) are listed within each of the product pages. However, as a helpful starting point, we’ve compiled a most common size listing below.

The most common sizes for Memorial & Cremation Plaques are:
    145mm x 120mm
    380mm x 215mm
    380mm x 280mm
    560mm x 300mm

The most common sizes for House Signs are:
    300mm x 100mm
    400mm x 150mm
    600mm x 150mm

The most common sizes for Pet Memorial Plaques are:
    135mm x 100mm
    135mm x 135mm
    150mm x 100mm

The most common sizes for Take Home Memorial Plaques are:
    135mm x 100mm
    150mm x 100mm
    200mm x 65mm

The sizes of commercial signage and commemorative products can vary widely and tend to be on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Phoenix for assistance with this.

Back to top ^

Shapes

This is the shape of your plaque or sign. The range of shapes is almost unlimited as the majority of plaques start with a computer layout design.  The standard choice for most plaques or signs is a landscape rectangle. You can also choose from one of the common shapes below or speak to our staff about your custom design.

 Back to top ^

Inscription/Text

This is the wording that you’d like on your plaque or sign. Attractive layouts can be reproduced in a wide variety of fonts and sizes. There are several choices to make regarding the font used on your bronze plaque or sign.

• Font Type - the fonts that most people use for plaques and signs are Cheltenham, Helvetica, Century Schoolbook and Times New Roman (see examples below). Many other attractive fonts are available so please feel free to request your desired font to give your plaque or sign a personal touch.    

• Font Size – this is the height of the letters and numbers in millimeters or points. The Phoenix design system’s conversion is approx. 1mm = 4 points. Font size can be varied and can adapt to the size and nature of the inscription of the plaque or sign. However, as a guide, the minimum font size used has a minimum height of 4mm (16 points). Select your font size with the size of your plaque or sign in mind.  

Back to top ^

Edge Types

The edge of your plaque or sign can basically be described by how your product looks from the side, as different to how it looks from front-on (see the ‘Borders’ section for more info). A variety of edge designs are available.

The most commonly used ones are the Raised Edge and Bevelled Linished Edge, Bevelled Painted Edge and Plain Cut Edge.

Other Edge variations are available but due to the special bases required these edge may only be available in a selection of set sizes.  Please contact us to check availability.

Many of the above designs (apart from the Bevel Painted, Bevel Linished and Sculptured Book Edges) allow the addition of a design border to further enhance the plaque or sign.  The two examples below include our popular Antique border.

Back to top ^

Woodgrain Edge Plaques

The main feature of the Woodgrain Plaque that distinguishes it from other standard plaques is its use of natural bark looking edge that blends in very well with the natural surroundings. These plaques are only available in a small range of sizes including those shown below.

Woodgrain 609 x 406mm

Back to top ^

Border

The border is the design that will surround your plaque or sign. It will be raised above the background surface of your product. There are basically two types of borders that you can use for your plaque or sign: Standard (Raised) Borders and Sculptured Borders.

Standard (Raised) Borders – these designs are basically simple solid borders with a variety of corner designs

Sculptured Borders – these designs are more intricate and are suitable for matching with the theme of the plaque or sign

To help you with your design decisions, suggested border widths (for either Raised or Sculptured Borders) are:

Back to top ^

Flat Relief Emblems

Emblems are the image, motif or picture that you’d like on your bronze plaque or sign. Including an emblem on your product can help to express beliefs, ideas and feelings in a way that may not be possible solely with words. Emblems can either be produced in Flat Relief or Bas Relief.

Flat Relief Emblems are created in Phoenix's design software. The surface is finished to the same height and appearance of the inscription/text and borders etc. Flat Relief Emblems can be positioned anywhere on the plaque or sign and the size can be varied and in any orientation. The size of a Flat Relief Emblem is specified in millimetres by the largest of the vertical or horizontal dimensions. A minimunm size of 40mm may apply to some more complex Flat Relief Emblems.

You may also need to consider copyright and permission issues for the use of your emblem. 

Choosing your Flat Relief Emblem

You can select something from Phoenix's comprehensive Motif Library which allows you to search under different categories (eg. pets or nature). Alternatively, contact either your Local Memorial Consultant (if you're designing a Memorial or Cremation Plaque for use in a cemetery) or Phoenix Foundry (for all other products) to discuss your ideas for your Flat Relief Emblem. We will then be able to send you a proof of the emblem for you to view.

Some examples of the use of Flat Relief Emblems in plaques and signs

Back to top ^

Bas Relief Emblems 

Emblems are the image, motif or picture that you’d like on your bronze plaque or sign. Including an emblem on your product can help to express beliefs, ideas and feelings in a way that may not be possible solely with words. Emblems can either be produced in Bas Relief or Flat Relief.

Bas Relief Emblems are created by our sculptors in a three-dimensional shape. The irregular surface of the emblem is highlighted in bronze, which gives it depth and perspective. Bas Relief Emblems can be positioned anywhere on the plaque or sign. The size of a Bas Relief Emblem is specified in millimetres by the largest of the vertical or horizontal dimensions. Bas Relief Emblems are available in seven different sizes (see table below).

Choosing your BAS Relief Emblem

Firstly we would recommend you look at Phoenix's comprehensive Motif Library which allows you to search under different categories (eg. pets or nature). You may also have your own emblem or picture that you'd like to use, which can be submitted to Phoenix Foundry for quotation using one of sculptors.  Alternatively, contact either your Local Memorial Consultant (if you're designing a Memorial or Cremation Plaque for use in a cemetery) or Phoenix Foundry (for all other products) to discuss your ideas for your Bas Relief Emblem. We will then be able to send you a proof of the emblem for you to view.

Some examples of BAS Relief Emblems

Back to top ^

Sculptured Scenes

Sculpture Series Plaques are specifically designed plaques incorporating design borders and bas relief images.

All designs are available in any border or colour style in a range of set sizes.

Reflection Scenes

Religious Scenes

Back to top ^

Vases (as an addition to the plaque)

Vases for fresh, faux or dried flowers can be added to all types of Memorial and Cremation Plaques listed here. A wide range of cast bronze vases with suitable fittings are available.

Back to top ^

Integrated Vases

These designs incorporate a vase, where fresh, faux or dried flowers can be placed. Please note that in cases where it’s not suitable (or desirable) for the vase to be on the plaque itself, the vase can be provided as a separate piece, and placed next to the plaque (See the ‘vases as an addition to the plaque’ section for more information)

Back to top ^

Bronze Image Portraits

These are portraits that are a Bas Relief reproduction in cast bronze. They can be created from an original photographic print by Phoenix’s in-house designers. The portrait is then incorporated into a bronze plaque or sign. The Bronze Image Portraits are available in a select range of sizes and are all are finished with a standard brown patina. Further sizes are available upon request.

Phoenix’s designers need to receive a quality photographic image of the person or item with a minimum of 100 DPI. The photo also needs to have definition or depth, and with the lighting from the front and above so that shadowing correctly highlights the facial or other features. Both acceptable and unacceptable images have been shown here to help you choose the most appropriate photo.  Please note that Phoenix’s designers reserve the right to refuse a Bronze Image Portrait job if the image/photo that is sent to them is an unacceptable quality. Sometimes the designers can improve the image/photo until it becomes an acceptable standard. This extra work does however incur additional charges.

Back to top ^

Photo Portraits

These portraits are recreated from a photo and then fixed onto Memorial and Cremation plaques after the casting process. Phoenix Foundry can produce a highly durable image from a good quality photographic print. Your photo portrait can be either Ceramic or Etched Metal. A Ceramic portrait is one where the image is reproduced in a glazed, slightly convex porcelain base. An Etched Metal portrait is one where the image is reproduced on a flat metal base. These portraits can be supplied as round, oval, rectangular or heart shapes. They range in size from 25mm to 15mm. The most common sizes used range from 30mm to 90mm. Photo portraits can be fixed to the plaque either using a cast-on frame or a fitted frame.

Please note that Portraits can also be retro-fitted to an existing bronze plaque or sign
Any individual portrait can be created and purchased for attachment to an existing plaque. Please contact Phoenix Foundry to discuss the appropriate method of fixing.

Back to top ^

Background Colour

This is the colour that you choose for the background surface texture of your plaque or sign. The background colour provides a contrast to the raised elements of your product (the inscription, border and other design features). There are basically two choices for the colour of your background surface. These are a Painted Background Colour or a Patinated Background Colour. 

Painted Background Colour

This can be done in any colour with enamel paint. The paint used at Phoenix Foundry is high quality baked enamel which is sprayed on the plaques and other products in a painting booth. The techniques used for this are similar to car body painting. Customers requesting other than the Phoenix standards can choose from any “Australian standard colour”. These can be found here. The most commonly used background colours by Phoenix customers are shown below.

To provide you with a bit more help, the most commonly used background colours by Phoenix customers are also shown here, as cast.

Patinated Background Colour

This is when the background of your plaque or sign is treated with chemicals to achieve a patina which produces a more natural bronze appearance. Patina is defined as a film or encrustation caused by oxidisation of old bronze. In nature this occurs over a long period of time and can result in a variety of interesting colours (but usually green). With the use of a variety of chemicals and processes carried out in Phoenix’s factory, the outcome can be accelerated and controlled.

The process, called patination, can produce an interesting range of patinas which give a more natural appearance to the plaque than the painted background colours. They are often selected for historical or artistic work. The most commonly used patina is Brown. 

Back to top ^

Fixing Surface

This is the surface that the plaque, sign or commemorative product will be fixed to. You will need to nominate your surface so that Phoenix can manufacture your product with the correct attachment elements on the back. Read here for more information on Phoenix’s easy installation or fixing methods.

Back to top ^