Reading the discussions on cutting out trophy plates and business cards got me thinking. I have always used metal for trophy plates but now I am wondering - am I the only one who still does?

If you do use metal; do you cut them before or after you engrave?
Also, if you have both a laser and a rotary engraver which do you use to make them?

I have been doing them on a sheet and adding short vector lines to use to line them up for cutting after engraving.

I just did about 65 trophies for a client and all I used was laser engraved and cut rowmark. I don't have rotary engraving so it was really my only choice, unless I subbed it out that is. They were very happy with them and will give me their work for the 4 times per year that they need trophies. It's not really my niche market but it is very easy work and still fills my day with $120/hour laser time.

Gary

Greetings from the snow packed, snowbelt of NE Ohio;

We still use metal with the rotary engraver, mostly for little league, youth basketball, and midget football.... for high school awards, we sublimate school logo onto plate along with "info", corporate we tend to use laser on laser brass... of course we will do what ever the customer wants and is willing to pay..

Regards
Rob

For trophies, I use black laser sublimation on gold aluminum. Readable, quick and inexpensive.

Steve