questions

November 2019

What if I want my sign or plaque sooner?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T10:29:48-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Sorry, no rush orders. We promise to ship our signs in three weeks and most of the time it is sooner than that. Everyone’s order is important and in fairness to those that ordered before you we assure everyone their place in line on a first come first serve basis. I can make a color proof (for free) that you can print and use until your sign/plaque arrives. We do offer expedited shipping for an extra charge if you like. Please provide your complete shipping address and we will provide a price quote if you’d like to request express shipping.

Can I put my cast sign in the ground?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:46:15-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, questions|

Yes, cast plaques are long-lasting and designed to last a lifetime. Note that if the area would be subject to much abuse such as mowing and weed wacking it will have degradation.

Can I put my sign on the back of a bench?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:38:38-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Both our metal coated HDU and cast metal signs are not ideal for a bench due to the thickness. Our signs are 1” thick and therefore would be uncomfortable to lean against. We recommend you request a quote for our custom etched metal signs which are only 1/8" thick and perfect for this application.

Can I put my HDU sign in the ground?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:39:55-06:00November 18th, 2019|hdu, questions|

Not if you want it to stay looking nice. Our hdu signs are not meant to be walked on, mowed over, or weed whacked. They are very durable to the elements but not to mechanical damage and abuse.

Do you have a store where I can see your products?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:47:36-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Sorry, our products are only available online.

What does “Handcrafted” mean?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:30:27-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Every sign or plaque created by Atlas Signs and Plaques is handcrafted, meaning made-by-hand. That means that your plaque is totally unique from every other, and has been “touched” by many different hands. Different hands mean that there are variations in the look and finish of your sign. Your plaque undergoes nine to eleven different steps before it is shipped to you. Each step imparts a level of uniqueness making every plaque a true one-of-a-kind customized purchase. Here is an interesting blog article about finish variations. These normal variations, little bumps, waves, and other variations in the finish, that might be called defects by some, are part of the charm that only a handcrafted item can deliver. At Atlas, we celebrate these variances. They make our creation, and your plaque, incomparable.

I want a sign another size than what I see on your site? Can I get different sizes?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:50:28-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Yes. Fill our our custom sign quote request. We will send you a price and link to how you can order your sign. Your next question is, How Much? We will let you know. Just remember that a “little bit bigger” is a lot more material. If the sign is an odd shape or has a lot of artwork then we might charge extra for a special size if we are unable to just upscale the design. Often it takes a lot of time (and we all know that time costs money) to make dramatic changes. But quote requests are free so send us your request.

How much do HDU plaques weigh?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:57:48-06:00November 18th, 2019|hdu, questions|

Not much. But if you want to take it the next level, it is an easy computation that requires some basic math. We use 30-pound HDU Sign Foam as our substrate material. 30-pound density means that it weighs 30 pound per cubic foot, which is 12″ x 12″ x 12″. So, all we have to do is compute how many cubic feet of material is in your sign. As a simple example; a sign that measures 12″ x 12″ x 1″ thick would be 1/12 of a cubic foot. So would have a basic weight of 30 pounds divided by 12 which is 2.5 pounds. Then add about 1/2 pound for the metal coating and an allowance for mounting hardware and the weight computes to 3 pounds. If the plaque is 2 inches thick, the basic weight would double, and with the same additions, would weight about 5 1/2 pounds. [...]

How much do cast metal plaques weigh?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T10:13:48-06:00September 4th, 2020|cast, questions|

The weight of a bronze plaque can be estimated by calculating the plaque’s volume in inches (height x width x depth) x .31. For smaller plaques (under 36″ x 30″) allow .25″ as the approximate depth. Use .375″ for plaques over 36″ x 30″. Example: For a 36" x 24" plaque calculate 36" x 24" x .25" = 216 cu. inches x .31 = 66.96. The plaque's estimated weight would be 67 lbs. An aluminum plaque is approximately 1/3rd the weight of a comparable sized bronze plaque.

You advertise that your product is Made in the USA. Do you use any foreign products?

Karie Farr2020-09-04T09:30:27-06:00November 18th, 2019|cast, hdu, questions|

Not intentionally. We shop hard in an attempt to assure that even the smallest items are Made in the USA. We also strive to purchase and use only tools and machines in our shop that are domestically produced. With that said, it is impossible to assure that every component measures up to our standards in this international economy. There are, no doubt, elements in our tools and equipment that have a foreign heritage. But we really try, and hope that you will also support your neighbors and community.

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November 2019

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