Our Foundry’s Products & Services

From Wholesale Signage to Custom Plaques

Ready to bring your unique, legacy building metal signage to life? That’s what a foundry is for!

A foundry is a facility where metals are melted and poured into molds in order to create plaques, custom signage, and other metal projects; this process is called casting!

The types of products our foundry sells include:

• Cast Plaques

• Cast Letters

• Etched Plaques

• Low Relief/Perfect Impression™ Plaques

• Fabricated Reverse Channel Letters

• Cut Letters

• ADA Signage

Here at A.R.K. Ramos, we believe in educating our customers in their options as well as turning out high quality, incredibly detailed projects. 

That’s why our commitment extends beyond delivering products—it's about providing tailored solutions that reflect your customers’ achievements and elevates their brand.
That being said, we wanted to share a bit of helpful information as you look for a foundry to work with on your custom plaques and other cut or cast metal projects.

Precision-Tooled vs Cast Plaques vs Etched Plaques

First of all, not all plaques are the same!

There are different methods that you can use to create your plaques, which are:

Precision-Tooled Plaques

A plaque practice you may see in the manufacturing world are precision-tooled plaques. These plaques are created by engraving a design into a metal plate, typically using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. 

• Detail: The process allows for detailed and accurate designs like logos, intricate images or fine text. However, with a lack of texture, it is susceptible to wear and tear, decreasing the longevity of the piece.

• Finish: The surface can be polished and doesn’t have a natural texture. Texture can be sprayed on if desired, though it’s likely to flake.

Cast Plaques

Cast plaques are made by pouring molten metal into a custom mold. This process gives the plaque a more dimensional appearance and the texture is an integral part of the casting.

• Detail: Cast plaques are durable and offer a classic look! This is also the only process by which a sculpted or bas relief portrait or detail can be added to a plaque.

• Finish: These plaques have a more traditional, rugged appearance. The raised areas are usually polished, and the background textured. The integral texture means it will not peel, chip or flake off the plaque as it ages.

Etched Plaques

Etched plaques are created by etching a design onto the surface of a metal plate. This involves coating the metal with a protective layer, applying the design, and then etching at the exposed areas, leaving the design recessed into the metal.

• Detail: Etching allows for very fine and intricate details, making it ideal for designs with small text, detailed images, or complex logos.

• Finish: Etched plaques are durable and resistant to the elements, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use regardless of the design intricacies.

Here at A.R.K. Ramos, we offer both cast and etched plaques. In fact, we prefer cast plaques over precision-tooled plaques for their longevity, iconic texture and customizability! They’re designed to stand the test of time.

Cast, Cut & Fabricated Reverse Channel Letters

Like plaques, you also have a few options when it comes to choosing letters for various signage. From one manufacturer to another, you’ll find everyone has their niche. But here at A.R.K. Ramos, our years of experience have made us specialists in all of the above!

Here’s what you need to consider when selecting your letter method…

Cast Letters

Cast letters are made by pouring molten metal, typically aluminum, bronze, or brass, into molds. The molds are created based on the design of the letters.

Finish: Cast letters have a more traditional, dimensional appearance with slightly rounded edges due to the casting process. They can be polished, brushed, or painted, and often have a classic or historic look.

Cut Letters

Cut letters are made by cutting out shapes from a solid sheet of material using tools like CNC routers, water jets, or lasers. The material is usually flat and thin.

Finish: Cut letters have sharp, clean edges and a modern, sleek look. Since they are cut from a flat sheet, they are usually thinner and have a lower profile than cast or fabricated letters.

Fabricated Reverse Channel Letters

Fabricated reverse channel letters are created by assembling multiple pieces of metal to form a hollow, three-dimensional letter. The face of the letter is typically flat, while the sides are bent and welded to the face.

Finish: These letters are designed to be mounted on a surface with a light source placed within them. This creates a Soft-Glo "halo" lighting effect around the letters when illuminated. They are often used in backlit signs where the light creates a glow around the letter edges, giving a sophisticated and elegant appearance.

Choosing a Foundry

Selecting a foundry to partner with on your projects is not something to take lightly. Together, we create legacy projects that stand the test of time.

Founded on a standard of perfection that has defined us for nearly 80 years, every piece A.R.K. Ramos creates is a testament to our dedication to quality and innovation.

From the initial design to the final touches, our skilled artisans pour their expertise and passion into ensuring each project not only meets but exceeds expectations. We value exceptional work and customer service.

It's this same standard that continues to set A.R.K. Ramos apart as a leader in the sign manufacturing industry, honoring our past while shaping the future of signage.

If you’d like to talk plaques, letters, or what sets us apart as a foundry, our door is open! Send us a message, and we’ll get back to you with the answers you need.

Let’s cast greatness together!