Our Processes: Precision Cut Letters vs. Cast Metal Letters
Cast metal and precision cut letters can transform your building signage.
Standing out from traditional metal signage and metal plaques, cast metal and precision cut letters are bold signage choices, perfect for building signage and branding.
From afar, these signage options can look rather similar. In actuality, their processes are quite different. Each delivers its own unique finish, and one may be better than the other for your unique signage needs.
Let’s break it down!
Precision Cut Letters
The Precision Metal Cutting Process
Cast Metal Letters
The Letter Casting Process
A Quick Comparison
When should you choose letters over traditional signage?
Let’s Work Together
Precision Cut Letters
Precision cut letters are versatile, cost-effective, and available in a variety of metals and finishes. Precision metal cutting allows for incredible attention to detail. The machining process involved allows for a complete cut through of letter forms, as well as engraving of recessed areas in logos and letter forms, which can be color filled, making it useful in multi-color pieces.
These letters are the perfect blend of precision and customizability!
The Precision Metal Cutting Process
Design Creation
After your project is confirmed, we start by creating a design that reflects the needs of your piece. From text to logos and artwork, we ensure every detail is accounted for and laid out well.
Programming
For precision cut letters, we convert your custom design into a digital vector file. This file informs the cutting equipment of the precise size and shape of your project.
Precision Metal Cutting
Using a CNC or water-jet router, we cut the letters directly out of the solid sheet of metal (chosen based on the individual project need). Our router allows us to give your project crisp detail and smooth curves, even for intricate fonts or logos.
Smoothing & Finishing
Once your project is cut, the edges are sanded down to remove rough edges and prep the surface for any finishing. Some clients opt to leave the metal raw and may polish it to leave a shine. Others apply custom finishes and colors.
Inspection
Before we deliver, each project undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure the quality of your project! We’ll refer back to your original project specs to ensure we’ve exceeded your expectations.
Shipping & Mounting
Now, it’s time to ship! We ship all of our products worldwide. Each product comes with a mounting template that identifies the stud locations on each piece so that your installation is efficient and clean.
Key Features
Highly precise
Detailed
Customizable
Crisp edges & lines
Cost effective
Explore your finish options, precision cut letter examples, and learn how to work with us on our precision cut letters page.
Cast Metal Letters
Cast metal letters are highly customizable and can be as cost-effective as you need them to be. Created through a precise casting process, these letters are durable, weather-resistant, and designed to provide a polished, professional appearance. If you’re looking for timeless, strong signage, cast metal letters may be the way to go!
The Letter Casting Process
Design Creation
After your project is confirmed, we get started by creating a design that reflects the needs of your piece. We finalize your chosen font or get to work on your custom cast letter design. We make sure every detail is accounted for and laid out well.
Mold Preparation
If you’re going the custom route, the design is then used to make a pattern, often crafted from wood, that serves as the template for the mold. The mold is crafted to capture the intricate details of the font, ensuring precision in the final casting. If you select a standard font, we pull out our pre-made molds.
Metal Casting
Molten metal, such as bronze or aluminum, is poured into the mold. Before becoming cast metal, the molten metal is incredibly fluid, flowing to every part of the mold and capturing the fine details of the design.
Cooling & Removal
Once the metal solidifies, the mold is carefully broken away, revealing the rough cast letters. The cast metal letter design is visible, but still quite rough around the edges and needs a human touch, plus a bit of elbow grease.
Finishing
After removal, the cast letters are cleaned and polished. Any additional details that need extra refining are addressed at this point. Depending on your project, we’ll also add additional coatings at this step.
Inspection
Before we deliver, each cast letter project undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure the quality of your project! We’ll refer back to your original project specs to ensure we’ve exceeded your expectations.
Shipping & Mounting
Now, it’s time to ship! We ship all of our products worldwide. Each product comes with a mounting template that identifies the stud locations on each piece so that your installation is efficient and clean.
Key Features
Durable
Weather resistant
Dimensional
Long-term investment
Customizable
If cast metal letters sound like what you need, learn more about your options on our cast letters page!
A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cast Metal Letters | Precision Cut Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Traditional | Modern |
| Cost | Mid-High | Low-Mild |
| Customizability | Mid-High | High |
| Detail | Mid | High |
| Durability | High | High |
| Weight | Medium | Light |
When should you choose dimensional letters over traditional signage?
Letters are ideal for displaying business names or any messaging that needs to be visible from a far distance. Letters come in a variety of fonts, and have a 3D or floating effect to them that allows them to stand out!
On the other hand, traditional signage is better for longer sections of text. Plaques are great for smaller and commemorative spaces.
If you’re struggling to decide which signage is right for you, contact us! We can help you make the right choice for your space.
Let’s Work Together
We’ve helped countless businesses and organizations across the country memorialize their stories and legacies. We’ve also been lucky to help many businesses bring their brand to life through signage.
In fact, you’re likely to see our signage nationwide on government buildings, K-12 schools and universities, industrial companies, and businesses of all sizes. From logos and ADA signage to military seals and custom memorials — if you’ve admired it, there’s a good chance we made it. And an even better chance we can make something just as impactful for you or your client.
That said, if you’re a(n)...
Architect
Contractor
Division 10 company
Sign company
Branding company
Marketing company
... we would be honored to help you impress your clients with high-quality, American-made metal signage that will memorialize their story for generations.
Reach out to us today with your memorial signage needs. You can also see more of our work by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
