Cast Metal & Architectural Plaques
Whether your plaques are Cast Metal, Architectural, Etched, or those requiring ADA specifications, Gemini can create the marker, seal or plaque you need in just a few days. While many plaque manufacturers need 4 to 6 weeks to deliver your plaque, Gemini can ship your plaque in just 8 working days after approval of your artwork – all with NO extra charges and NO hidden fees. We use a variety of methods to manufacture your plaque – all using virgin materials of the purest alloys. Whether you require lead and mercury free bronze, high-grade aluminum, lead-free brass or #304 or even #316 stainless steel, Gemini has the metal you need to make a lasting impression. Recognize someone for a job well done, a retirement, winning an award, memorialize a loved one or commemorate a historic place – our specialized plaque sales staff is ready to assist you.
Cast Metal Plaques Lifetime Guarantee
Advantage uses the best materials in the industry which allows us to guarantees all of our plaque products for life. This means that should your plaque fade or contain any defect, we will refinish or replace the defective material at no cost to you, as long as the plaque is installed in its original location. Advantage does not cover your cost of removal, re-installation or any subsequent work done on the mounting surface.
We start with a photograph. Although we can use almost any quality photograph, the better the image the better the modeling effort. Remember, the finished image will be an artist's interpretation of this photograph. An image of the clay model is sent to you via email for your comments or approval. When approved, the clay model is used for the bronze and aluminum casting process. The bas relief is mechanically attached to the plaque background. Standard overall height of 6" to 12" with a finished depth of 3/4" to 1". (6 week lead time.)
Bas Relief Photo Plaque
Etched Photo Plaque
Flat Relief Photo Plaque
The etching process allows you to forever replicate your photograph, line drawing or complex artwork. This method utilizes a halftone dot pattern made from a 50-line screen. Halftone portraits resemble newspaper photographs, and have visible dot patterns. The etched, recessed dots are black ink filled to contrast with the satin finished metal background. The best photographs for halftone etched portraits have high contrast tones with bright white areas, dense black areas and minimal grey tones. Photos that are monotone or have muted colors will produce poor halftone etchings. Halftone etchings are available in stainless steel, bronze, brass & copper..
PhotoRelief Photo Plaque
An alternative to the expense and time-consuming process of a bas-relief plaque, Gemini’s Flat Relief plaques are able to reproduce a two-dimensional casting that is attached to an architectural or cast plaque. The process starts with a good quality photograph or illustration from which our craftsmen create a black and white rendering. Suitable for interior or exterior applications, they perfectly fit the bill when your project requires a portrait but the budget won’t allow for Bas-Relief. Call for quote.
A seamless blend of casting and photography, PhotoRelief™ is perfectly suited for unique signage, historical markers, or any plaque that tells a story with words and pictures. Through Gemini’s innovative technologies, we can use one photograph or several to create a simple and elegant plaque or a breathtaking collage that illustrates the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Ceramic Insert Photo Plaque
Our ceramic inserts use a standard-sized blank as its base. A photograph is scanned at high resolution and a digital transfer is produced and applied to the blank. A clear glaze is applied over this transfer and the insert is fired in a kiln. (6 week lead time.)
Engraved Black Granite Photo Plaque
Giclee Print Photo Plaque
If you are wanting a full color portrait on your memorial plaque, the giclee printed option is a great choice. This method is not suitable for outdoor use, but works great if the plaque will be mounted indoors and away from direct sunlight. Giclee printing is a high resolution direct to metal printing method that us UV-Cured with non-elastic inks.
For the extreme in permanence suitable for interior or exterior applications, we can engrave your photo onto polished black granite.
Below are some of the most common typestyles seen on plaques today. You can choose from these or any standard Gemini typestyle. Note: Times New Roman, Bookman Old Style & Myriad can be made as small as 1/4" all upper case or 3/8" upper/lower case.
After years of exposure your plaque will show signs of aging. Bronze plaques will begin to patina, while aluminum plaques will lose their raw aluminum appearance and will begin to have an oxide skin on the surface of all exposed aluminum. If you would like to bring back to life your existing plaque with a fresh background coating with new brushed satin raised copy-Gemini's rejuvenation program may be for you. Please call Gemini and send us a photograph of your plaques current state, because not all plaques can undergo this treatment. Typically, rejuvenation is 50% of the price of a new plaque, but may vary depending on plaque material, condition, age, and origin of manufacture.
This photo method is one of the most impressive and cost effective for your memorial plaque. A mold is formed from a computer generated interpretation of your photo. This method requires high resolution photos for the best results. Not only can you have a stand alone portrait on your memorial plaque, but you can create a collage with multiple photos at no additional cost.
Using aluminum or bronze, Gemini can produce a PhotoRelief™ plaque in any size or shape up to 40" to 64". Our designers will work with you on the layout of your plaque. And, thanks to our technologically advanced process, we can ship your plaque in just 12 days after approval of artwork. Gemini’s full range of color and finishing options are also available; call a plaque sales representative for more details. And like all Gemini plaque products, PhotoRelief™ plaques are Guaranteed for Life.
Every picture tells a story, so why not let your plaque be more than just words – use a PhotoRelief™ plaque to combine words and pictures for a truly memorable plaque, memorial or historical marker.
Giclée - (zhee-clay) is the term for high quality reproductions of works of art utilizing high resolution ink jet printers. This process is now developed for your images on stand alone metal panels or as inserts into your architectural plaques. Using UV cured non-elastic inks at up to 1200 dpi resolution-- Gemini can print your image as a way to accent any of your recognition, wayfinding, or signage needs. The image reproduced will show any imperfections found in the original image, and will only be reproduced with the same resolution as the original image.
Available in sizes up to 4' x 8', (40" x 64" with raised copy or border) these Giclée panels are designed for any exhibit or display uses where more permanency is required than traditional digital printing. Gemini can integrate raised borders, copy, or other graphical elements that you can blend with your image to produce stunning projects.
The combination of our high resolution printing, abrasion resistant powdercoat, and premium base materials result in a “picture perfect” product that is excellent for all indoor applications and even some exterior ones.
Bronze Plaque, Metal Plaque, Brass Plaques, Brass Plaque, Bronze Plaques, Cast Plaque, Wall Plaques, Memorial plaques, Outdoor plaques, Custom plaques, Commemorative plaques, Photo Plaques, Gemini Plaques, Bench Plaques, Building Plaques
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Signs for Minneapolis, St Paul and greater MN since 1988
Arden Hills • Blaine, Minnesota • Circle Pines • Lino Lakes • Mounds View • North Oaks, MN • Shoreview • Spring Lake Park Fridley, Minnesota • New Brighton • Columbia Heights • Roseville, MN • Falcon Heights Little Canada, Minnesota • St. Paul, MN Maplewood • Maple Grove • Oakdale • Lake Elmo • Mahtomedi • White Bear Lake • Minneapolis, MN, • Rochester • Duluth, St Cloud, Minnesota • Woodbury • Minnetonka, Minnesota • Bloomington • Brooklyn Park • Plymouth • Eagan, MN • Burnsville Coon Rapids • Richfield • Eden Prairie • Lakeville
We can service your area from our location in St Paul