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Laser Marking – Techniques, Styles and Uses

Lasers are suitable for a wide variety of applications today. Laser marking, or laser etching, is just one of them and is one of the most accessible and practical ways to adapt metal surfaces to feature different symbols, images or text, whether that’s in the commercial world or for domestic usage.  

Laser marking is an extremely versatile process that many decorative manufacturers rely on too. Artistic patterns and images can be etched into all types of metal to leave you with an appealing finish that works with several different interior design schemes. 

We explore some of the ins and outs of laser marking and consider why it might be the best option for your next personalised gift purchase or office signage project. 

 

A No-Contact Process 

Laser marking doesn't require any physical contact between different pieces of equipment and the material you are trying to alter.  

You won’t need a saw, burr or any other type of tool to insert into the material, which would require huge amounts of energy and could potentially lead to abrasion and damage of your core material.  

Any cutting or etching is limited to specific areas and your object will be able to retain its full integrity.

 

Precision 

Scratching precise patterns and images into metal by hand is no doubt a masterful skill to have. Many jewellery makers are still pioneering this technique and can produce incredible works of art.  

However, high precision laser marking technology means that anyone can enjoy 100% accurate designs and patterns with minimal effort.

 

Identical Marking for Large Batches 

The same precision is also achievable across as many batches as you want to create. Laser marking can be used to mark a large number of products with a set design as part of a mass production setup.  

This can be useful for brands who want to mark their products with the same logos and branding elements, or for organisations that require plenty of spare parts. 

 

Perfect for Several Materials 

The same laser marking system is suitable for a variety of materials. Whether you want to work with various metals, like structural steels, stainless steels, different aluminium grades, or with wood, you can rely on laser marketing. 

 

Environmentally Safe 

Laser marking is a more environmentally safe and responsible way of etching. It doesn’t use as much energy compared to other cutting and marking techniques and doesn't produce any toxic byproducts. 

 

It’s Fast 

Laser marking systems allow you to produce results in an incredibly fast time. From the conception and design phase to final production, you can have your items rendered in no time at all. 

If you make a purchase from our online store for any laser etched gifts, we’ll have them completely finalised in no time with no delay from lengthy manufacturing or cutting processes. 

 

Durability 

Laser marking is permanent and offers high contrast finishing over very long periods of time. You might need to polish or clean your item occasionally to ensure the very best appearance, but you’ll be able to observe it in all its glory for many years to come. The same can't be said for plastics or wood signage. 

Engraved or etched steel and brass items are incredibly popular today, just as they always have been. So, it’s likely that your etched decorative item or commercial asset won’t go out of fashion any time soon. 

 

Want to Learn More? 

Laser marking is capable of engraving most metals, but if you’re unsure about whether laser etching is the right choice for your personalised gift item, office signage or memorial plaque, let us know and we'll address any queries you might have.

March 25, 2021 — Paul Winrow
5 Ways to Remember a Loved One with a Memorial Plaque

5 Ways to Remember a Loved One with a Memorial Plaque

When a loved one has passed, there are a few immediate events that will take place to commemorate their time and share memories with friends, family and old acquaintances.  

However, many of these activities will happen quite quickly and having a more long-term way to celebrate someone’s life can play an important role in many people’s lives.  

While there are many wonderful ways to remember a loved one, we’ve listed a few ideas for anyone thinking about using memorial plaque engraving to honour the life and achievements of someone close. 

 

  1. Add an Engraved Plaque to a Remembrance Bench 

A bench is sometimes a good enough symbol of someone’s life on its own when placed as it is in the favourite place of your loved one or simply in your back garden. However, a small engraved plaque can help to personalise the object and signal to others of its importance, whether that’s visitors or grandchildren. 

You don’t need to overcomplicate it if you want to keep things simple. The words “In memory of” followed by the name of the person or people you are memorialising can be all you need.  

If you want to add a poem or note, then you can also do this. Or, if an organisation has donated your bench or helped to fund it, you could consider adding their name too.

 

  1. Add a Plaque Next to a Flower Patch or Outdoor Area 

If your loved one particularly loved a certain spot in the garden, or perhaps they were avid gardeners themselves, you could consider adding a small plaque just in front of a bed of flowers. Flowers are naturally associated with remembrance too, so this could be a good idea as an alternative to a gravestone.  

Also, certain flower varieties can denote specific ideas – such as red roses signifying love and courage, yellow roses standing for friendship, lilies meaning purity, and chrysanthemums evoking truth. You can play with these elements to create the perfect remembrance corner that you and your family can share. 

 

  1. Next to a Water Feature  

If you have a pond in your garden, you could add a memorial plaque either next to it or even inside it. You could also create a viewpoint or standing platform next to a stream with a small memorial plaque.

 

  1. Commemorative Tree Plaques 

A lovely way to remember a special person is to give them a gift that grows. An engraved tree plaque can be the perfect symbol of life and renewal that honours someone’s memory long after they have passed.  

A certain species or type might also have significance for someone and will add another special touch to the arrangement. 

Memorial plaques could be placed directly next to the tree or in front of it. And if you don’t already have a tree that’s suitable for this purpose, you could conduct a special tree-planting ceremony that also offers a special way to celebrate someone and bring people together. 

 

  1. Memorial Plaques for Buildings 

Memorial plaque engraving can also work with buildings of all types. From houses to sheds, or even purpose-built summer gardens could be a worthy choice for a dedication. For example, if your loved one was a painter, you might want to add a plaque to their outdoor studio space, or if they were active in the community, perhaps you could arrange for a public building to be adorned with a memorial plaque.  

If you’re looking for ideas for memorial plaque engraving or want to see the different styles and materials you can choose from, get in touch with us at Culzean Gifts.

March 18, 2021 — Paul Winrow
Key Benefits of Using Glass in Your Office

Key Benefits of Using Glass in Your Office

The use of glass to break up spaces is becoming increasingly popular in offices. As well as being able to increase the flow of light into dark spaces, it’s an incredibly elegant and professional material choice that works well with most corporate and modern interior design schemes, whether you’re going with an edgy creative agency look or want to enforce that old-school executive feel. 

In this blog, we explore the plenty of benefits of choosing glass over other materials.

 

Make Space Seem Bigger 

If your office is quite small and compact, glass can easily help to make the most of what you have. And even if your office has a decent amount of room to move, glass can help it seem more expansive and airy, reducing the chance of people feeling closed in or trapped. 

This can be especially important when hosting visitors, potential clients and business partners. The appearance of more space can give people a more positive impression of a place, and leave them with an overall better impression of your team.

 

More Natural Light 

Closely connected to the above point, more transparency in your walls will allow light to flow through them, improving. No one likes a poorly lit office space where you must rely on artificial light even during bright sunny days. 

Additionally, if you employ glass wall art as well, you are allowing more light to transfer around the room through reflection. The luminance and vibrancy of glass wall art can also help to add depth to interior spaces, giving you the impression of more space. 

One of the biggest complaints from employees about their working spaces is that they feel too small or enclosed, without enough natural light. Often, smart lighting systems and plenty of indoor plants can help to remedy these feelings, but glass is a perfect way to remove some of the lingering darkness in spaces that are not directly connected to windows or doorways. 

 

You Don’t Need to Sacrifice on Privacy 

Despite what some people think, using glass doesn't mean you’re letting everyone see what you’re doing 24/7. Using tinted or frosted glass for spaces that need to be less exposed can offer privacy while still achieving a more light and airy atmosphere.

 

A Great Opportunity for Branding 

Glass engraving, printing and etching methods allow businesses to create incredibly professional, sleek and executive looking brand designs, whether that’s just the name of your company on a glass panel outside of your office, or with more extensive glass customization in other areas of your workspace. 

 

A Modern Look 

Everybody wants their work environment to look up-to-date and modern these days. While some organisations can get away with traditional materials like leather or wood everywhere, businesses in most sectors will want to give visitors the impression that they’re “current”. 

 

Cost-Effective 

Glass is an affordable material choice. It is also incredibly durable meaning it comes with a long shelf life. Combine that with low maintenance costs and you have yourself a really cost-effective material for the office. 

At Culzean Gifts, we’ve got plenty of experience in glass engraving and customising glass so it perfectly matches the brand of your company and delivers the right impression to your clients, whether that’s in the form of business signage, name plaques, or personalized decorative items for the commercial space.

March 11, 2021 — Paul Winrow
Designing an “Executive” Office - Interior Design Tips

Designing an “Executive” Office - Interior Design Tips

There has been a huge focus on workspaces in the interior design world in recent years. A number of developments have changed the way we look at the typical office and many companies and individuals are now reinventing the typical work environment. 

For one thing, more shared working spaces are opening up with flexible membership arrangements that are enticing freelancers and small businesses. Also, due to more companies going remote, more and more people are setting up their own office right in their own homes.

However, there is still a need for certain businesses to have a flagship executive office where many of the important high-level activities of managers and company leaders take place, such as client meetings. 

In truth, a good office design depends a lot on the type of business and the user’s work habits. Some brands will be more corporate in a traditional way, while others will be more modern and quirky. Nevertheless, these places are key spaces where important visits are received, from partners or customers.  

Therefore, we’ve collected together a few top tips for how companies can develop a great first impression for anyone that steps through the door - whether you’re thinking of redecorating your current office, moving to a new one, or even adapting your home office situation to be more “executive”. 

 

Qualities of Good Office Space

  • The room must balance practicality and aesthetics. You need certain items of furniture and office equipment such as computers, printers, telephones, bookshelves, filing cabinets, among others, but letting these items dominate the space isn’t ideal.
  • Offices must have basic facilities built-in or very nearby, such as beverage stations, food preparation rooms, bathrooms, a place to work in silence and somewhere to access all the office supplies you need. 
  • These spaces must be client facing and therefore cannot be based too much on the personal taste of the individual CEO or executive who manages the space. For instance, 80s memorabilia everywhere might work at home, but it’s a big risk using this theme everywhere in your office space.
  • If you receive large numbers of customers, clients, and walk-in visitors you’ll need a way to separate them from your main workforce and control the flow of people into your core working spaces. A reception room of some kind is ideal here. 
  • Executive offices must combine style and ergonomics so that they offer enough character and personality without sacrificing the actual purpose of these spaces, which is to work. 

 

5 Design Tips 

If you're renewing your workspace, here are 5 fundamental tips to design your executive office and impress more clients and partners. 

  1. Functionality Doesn’t Mean Cluttered 

Yes, you’ll need a good desk and all the modern technology that offices run on, but there are so many ways to adapt your layout and furniture so that your room isn’t cluttered or busy. Things like fold-away monitors, moveable furniture, wireless appliances and storage units are great. 

  1. Always Choose Ergonomic Furniture 

The types of office furniture can vary in style, material, and usefulness, but all must be ergonomic. An amazingly unique and artistic antique chair just isn’t the right choice when you need to work in it 8-9 hours a day. Also, you’ll want people who visit your office to see that your setup is not just superficial. 

  1. Consider Colour Carefully  

It is common that in offices, executives meet with different people. However, the style you choose for your office should match the corporate colours of your company and your brand image, rather than stand-alone from the rest of your company spaces. Neutral colours with splashes of bold accents will work in most cases. 

  1. Customise the Design 

If you want to add a visual representation of your brand without sacrificing a truly minimal and sleek colour scheme, consider professional name plaque engraving. This can add authority, credibility and your very own stamp while remaining elegant and in-touch with a simple design scheme.  

  1. Good Lighting

Good light is crucial. The executive office must have lots of natural light and the best views, where possible. If needed, you should combine it with artificial light and smart ways to avoid dark spaces, such as using glass walls and artwork to channel light around your office. 

 

Customise with Culzean Gifts 

If you’re looking for personalised name plaque engraving or glass artworks to create a truly appealing and executive office space, take a look at our vast collection of customisable items online.

March 04, 2021 — Paul Winrow
How Does CNC Laser Engraving Work?

How Does CNC Laser Engraving Work?

Laser cutters are used in a growing number of sectors and industries today from prototyping to manufacturing. Used primarily by engineers, designers, and artists to cut and etch into flat material, it's a fast and efficient method of producing high quality and precision objects.

Aside from cutting items to custom specifications, they’re also used to etch designs into work pieces to create intricate lettering and designs in various patterns.

In short, they’re useful tools used by manufacturers and artists as a fabrication tool to bring digital designs into the physical world. 

In this blog, we explain a bit more about what laser cutters are, what they can do, and how you can use them for future signage or object customisation projects for your business, or for gift items specially adapted for your loved ones. 

 

What is a Laser Cutter?

A laser cutter is a type of CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machine, which is controlled via a computer. After a designer or machine operator has inputted a specific design and engraving requirements using digital software, a laser cutter can be commissioned to manipulate a piece of material to achieve the desired effect, whether that’s cutting down the edges to create a different shape or engraving lettering and designs into the surface. 

A laser cutting machine uses a laser beam to cut into or etch into the material, which could be a type of metal or even wood and plastic. They can be used to make many different styles of design and can be used at various stages of production, such as cutting components prior to assembly or adding aesthetic touches to an already assembled unit.

Laser cutters are typically very quick and can finalise a designed part in just a few minutes. Assuming you have the right professionals to create your design and operate the machinery, they can be used as rapid prototype machines that allow designers to quickly render different designs, even at a mass scale.

 

How Do Laser Cutters Work?

Laser engraving processes can vary slightly based on the type of laser cutter you are using. However, they all essentially rely on the same process of using lasers to cut through or mark solid materials. 

The power generated through a laser will originate from a machine and relay an intense beam of light that comes into contact with a piece of material, like a metal plate. The intensity is centralised at the cutting head where the laser is focused through a lens and narrowed down to an extremely thin, concentrated beam. This beam is used to cut or raster various types of material.

Movement of the cutting head is usually controlled by a mechanical system driven usually by belt or chain. This is also connected with a computer where instructions are delivered based on the specific design you have chosen.

The laser head will then move back and forth over the workpiece so that it can make precise cuts as needed. The process is highly accurate and precise. 

 

Are there Different Types of Laser Cutters? 

The major difference between different types of laser cutters is the type of laser that is used.

This impacts the type and thickness of material it can cut through. For example, certain metals will require more energy and power to be cut through than others, therefore requiring different power ranges and higher-powered lasers.

Some machines are also more suitable for handling large pieces of material at an industrial scale, as well as handling high volumes of jobs in short spaces of time.

 

Looking for Laser Engraving Services?

Laser cutting and engraving offer substantial economic benefits to the manufacturing sectors, with the added benefits of combining laser cutting with chemical etching/milling to offer even more creative possibilities.

Ultimately, laser cutting is a precise method of ensuring you get the very highest cut accuracy. At Culzean Gifts, our in-house design team can create custom designs for you or adapt certain items in our range to offer more personalization and custom style, for you or for a loved one. For questions or technical advice about laser cutting, please contact us.

February 25, 2021 — Paul Winrow
8 Benefits of Engraved Labels and Signage

8 Benefits of Engraved Labels and Signage

Business signs let people know they’re in the right place. More importantly, if your company has focused on professional design and quality of production, business signage can create a great first impression before people step through your door. 

Regardless of what industry you operate in, your company signage should be considered key to how you present yourself to potential customers or clients. 

We believe that high quality engraved and etched signage represents the best medium for business signs. A modern business can hugely benefit from signs made with these methods, which stay readable and pristine for years, without costing you too much.

In this blog, we explore eight of the top benefits of custom engraved labels or etched signage for your company.


Reasons You Might Need a Sign

  • Tells customers who you are and what you do
  • Indicates who manages or runs an office, store location or facility 
  • Warns employees of danger or to leave vital instructions
  • Adds credibility to any business setting

 

  1. Accurate Lettering

Sophisticated technology and machinery allow us to engrave and etch with high precision. As long as you have a good design and work with experts, it is highly unlikely you’ll end up with an engraved sign that features a mistake. The level of complexity and intricacy is also uncompromised, and the most detailed pictures and lettering can be replicated. 

 

  1. Fast Turnaround Time 

Thanks to laser engraving and chemical etching processes, your signage can usually be produced with very little time spent waiting for your product to be completed from the time you issue an order. 

 

  1. Compatibility With All Business Types 

  Any business can benefit from professional engraving and etching services. In addition to the signage outside your business, there are name tags, custom engraved labels, valve tags, warning labels, control panels and more that can all be engraved, whether you are operating a large factory or a small privately-owned coffee shop.

 

  1. Cost-Effective 

Signage doesn't need to cost too much these days with efficient processes that can streamline production workflows and reduce overall costs.

 

  1. Long-Lasting Signage 

The value for money is significant for each etched or metal engraved sign you purchase, as these objects can last a lifetime, unlike painted or plastic signs. Despite rain, snow, sun or vandalism, an engraved or etched sign on materials like steel, brass or aluminium can stand the test of time and will look as good as new with a little maintenance and cleaning. 

Ultimately, choosing engraved signs makes sign maintenance easier. All your sign needs when dirty is an easy wiping down with products that aren’t too harsh. 

 

  1. Many Style and Design Options 

Metals like stainless steel and aluminium are perfect signage materials, but there are other options to consider too like copper, bronze or brass, for instance. As long as you have a design and process adapted to your specification, there’s no reason a professional engraver can’t help you achieve the finish you want. 

With the help of computer-controlled design features, sophisticated lettering and designs can be worked up using computers and executed with precision. Whether you use a graphic designer to help with your layout or entrust your engravers to finalise the design, you shouldn’t have any issue creating aesthetically pleasing and high-quality designs.

 

Get in Touch 

If you require signage for your business, get in touch with us at Culzean Gifts and talk to our metal fabricators and engravers today. 

Even if you don’t know exactly what you want, a professional in the industry will be able to discuss your needs with you and determine which methods should be used and which designs will suit your needs best. 

They will also be able to explore how much your sign is likely to cost and how long they will take to produce. 

 

February 18, 2021 — Paul Winrow
A Guide to Business Signage - 7 Best Practice Tips

A Guide to Business Signage - 7 Best Practice Tips

The world is increasingly digital, but there are some things that still require a physical presence. If you have an office, shop or even a food truck, there’s no denying that some real-life branded signage and promotional content will help you stand out from the crowd. 

Whether you’re looking to draw in crowds from the high street, impress people at branded events, or offer your company some extra prestige at a trade show, having some good quality and creative business signage can make all the difference. 

We explore 5 best practices for good businesses signage for companies that still need to excel "offline". 

  1. Get Help from Experts 

Designing and producing the perfect business sign isn’t a straightforward task that you can handle in a weekend. Several factors are crucial to getting things right, including your layout, design, material choice and production method. We recommend finding an expert who can help you manage a project of this type with its unique requirements. 

  1. Keep the Branding Consistent 

You may be tempted by the various different design options to consider for your sign, but just make sure you still match up with your company’s overall branding and look and feel. A graphic designer or professional engravers might be able to help you decide on an option that appeals to your target audience, but if in doubt, look for classic designs and styles that align well with your core branding. 

 

  1. Choose the Right Message 

Some signs engraved for companies or offices will simply write themselves, featuring little more than a company name and an address. Others will need a bit more creative planning. When choosing the right message for your sign, consider when and how you want your audience to engage with your sign and how it will impact their customer journey experience. 

Your sign designer can advise as to the maximum number of words that your signage size can accommodate and the right headlines and phrases to use.  

For example, a purely informational sign made to stand outside your office for years will differ from a sign that is supporting a seasonal promotion or short-term event.

 

  1. Consider Layout and Colour Options 

The key to signage colour and arrangements is to keep things simple. Don’t overload your audience with too much information or stimulation. A good rule of thumb is 60/40, with no more than 40% of your sign being text, as well as at least 60% of your sign’s layout forming the background of your sign in a more natural or paler colour than your text and images.

 

  1. Enhance Your Look with the Right Material and Process 

The material of your sign and the process used to create it can tell a lot about your company. For example, brass metal signs engraved for an official office will obviously do a better job representing your prestige and credibility than a rushed plastic sign with a generic layout and message. 

At Culzean Gifts, we work with many different types of metals and can help you find the right combination of material, design and message to send the right message to your audience.

February 11, 2021 — Paul Winrow
What’s the Difference Between Chemical Etching and Engraving?

What’s the Difference Between Chemical Etching and Engraving?

Chemical etching and traditional engraving can both be described as the process of cutting lines into a hard surface, such as metal. However, there are some major differences that exist between the two that are worth considering if you’re looking to commission etching or engraving work of your own. 

 

The Basics 

Chemical etching uses a kind of acid solution, otherwise known as the etching agent, which is used to cut lines into a hard surface. This can be used to achieve intricate and precision designs when performed correctly. 

On the other hand, engraving relies on sharp tools that cut directly into a surface. In its most basic form, this could be a chisel wielded by someone's hand, but today we usually use computer-controlled machines or semi-automatic engraving tools. 

Ultimately, the similar effects can be achieved by both methods, such as cutting out marketing content or business names in metal for signage, or etching creative images in metal for the purpose of decoration. Yet, the way these designs are achieved rely on very different processes and tools.

 

Chemical Etching 

Some may find it hard to imagine how a liquid can achieve such high precision and accuracy as it cuts through a material. This is thanks to a tightly-controlled corrosion process, which can achieve intricate designs on the most complex of metal parts if required.  

Chemical etching works with a range of different metals including silver, stainless steel, mild steel, copper, brass, aluminium and much more. A few benefits of this method include: 

 

Precision and Accuracy 

Chemical etching lets us produce even the most complicated styles and designs at the same cost of simple designs. As long as the methods used are efficient and accurate, chemical etching will help you to achieve great precision in a number of metals, free or mistakes or inconsistencies. 

 

A Seamless Process 

Physically cutting into materials can be a high-intensity process that requires machinery for cutting, stamping, punching or sawing through the material. Often requiring burrs, this can be an exacting process. For consumers, this could potentially result in jagged edges if the process is not handled by an expert. 

Chemical etching, on the other hand, is a smooth and gentle process that relies upon diligent planning but very little execution burden, meaning that once metal sheets are applied with the right design template and photo-resist substance, an etching agent can be applied easily with no damage or effect to parts of the material you don’t want to alter. 

This also lets you perform design iterations quickly and economically. The digital aspect of this process lets you adapt any design in minutes and produce etched results in speedily, meaning the turnaround for clients can be incredibly fast. 

 

Traditional Engraving 

Often associated with printmaking, this method uses a sharp and pointed tool, sometimes referred to as burin, to cut lines into a metal surface. This “incising” process will cut away any unwanted material and leave you with grooves in metal, wood or other objects.  

While this method was once carried out by hand, today's engraving services are quite different and usually rely on highly sophisticated computer-controlled engraving tools and laser technology which increases efficiency, precision and project turnaround times. 

Also known as laser cutting, computer-controlled engraving has changed the way many products are now produced. From simple plaques to engraving detailed graphics into wood or three-dimensional decorative objects, it can be used to achieve a number of effects in several materials. 

Today, laser-based technology has enhanced the way any material can be engraved, and this process can offer similar benefits to chemical etching for a wide range of applications, including industrial and corporate as well as household.

 

Need Help? 

Both methods require a significant amount of expertise, as well as the right tools to achieve the finish you want. Each technique can be adapted to produce intricate designs that are very popular in certain industries, especially retail and e-commerce. Whether you are looking to work with chemical etching or computer-controlled engraving, contact us at Culzean Gifts.

February 05, 2021 — Paul Winrow
How Does Memorial Plaque Engraving Work?

How Does Memorial Plaque Engraving Work?

Memorial plaques are a highly functional and meaningful way to commemorate someone or an event. They can be used for buildings, exterior and interior walls, benches, trophies, vehicles, gravestones and other applications that allow you to celebrate something meaningful.

As well as being a practical object that is relatively easy to produce to a high standard, it is a dignified way of honouring a loved one. At Culzean Gifts, we’ve helped develop commemorative plaques for a number of customers and have a wealth of experience when it comes to deciding on the most suitable materials and styles for specific settings.

Types of Memorial Plaque Engraving

Memorial plaques are traditionally made out of metal, wood or stone, but ceramics and other materials can also be used depending on the engraving style, image and setting. 

There are certain fonts and text styles that will suit certain materials, and the relationship between materials and setting can also play a part in how suitable your memorial plaque is for its intended purpose.  

Engraving Photos and Images

New digital engraving technology allows us to engrave intricate and complex designs along with text. Various photos and predesigned images can now be incorporated into a plaque design, using computer controlled engraving to achieve a professional and aesthetically clean effect.

Tips for Placing Engraved Memorial Plaques

When choosing a memorial plaque, it is important to consider where the plaque will be located. It could be a standalone piece, attached to a wall, or fixed to a piece of furniture like a bench. Some plaques are even fixed to trees. 

A few potential locations for your engraved memorial plaque are:

  • Benches or statues - many people choose to add a small memorial plaque with a short inscription to the bench and statue plaques.
  • Artwork - a plaque just below a treasured artwork or portrait painting works perfectly.
  • The walls of churches or fallen structures - plaques are sometimes used to remember fallen churches or buildings. This is a unique way to recognise historical events and the passing of time that can be honoured by a community and can sometimes be used when new commercial developments are built on old sites.
  • Theatre seats - theatres can choose to dedicate special seats to the memory of a famous person or historical figure. 
  • Urns for cremation memorials - people who choose to be cremated may wish to have a memorial plaque on a decorative urn or on a cremation memorial.
  • Trees - planting a tree in memory of a loved one or adding a plaque to an existing tree is a great way to commemorate someone's life.

Choosing Your Memorial Plaque Engraving Style

The engraved lettering of the inscription can be done in a number of different fonts and it’s important to determine the style that is best suited to the material you have selected, as well as the location your plaque will reside.

Some fonts require a deep cut which may not look sharp or clear on particular types of material. Others will look more friendly or casual, which might be more appropriate for the person or event you are commemorating.

Equally, the font you choose may also be affected by the length of your message and the size of the plaque itself. For example, some fonts are not suited to smaller letter sizes.

Inquire About Our Engraved Plaque Services

If you’d like to find out more about our processes or inquire about the cost of ordering a personalized memorial plaque for business or personal reasons, get in touch with us at Culzean Gifts.

January 30, 2021 — Paul Winrow
Tags: Plaque
3 Best Practices for Choosing Wall Art for Your Home

3 Best Practices for Choosing Wall Art for Your Home

Wall hangings, art, photos and glass printed picture wall art all serve an important role in your home’s style. 

Great prints, photographs and glass art pieces will draw the gaze of visitors and add a feeling of unity to any space.  

However, the secret for finding great art and installations is finding something that matches your space, your personal preferences and other pieces of decoration in your home.  

We outline a few basic guidelines for how you can pick the right pieces for your home, based on size, style, colour and theme considerations.

Choose Things You Actually Like 

Before you read too many blogs online about the best approach to interior design, keep in mind that if you don’t actually like it, you shouldn’t buy it. 

So many people pick items that they know are loved by others, but actually have very little connection to themselves. 

Avoiding this is our best piece of advice for creating a home atmosphere you love and appreciate. Look for wall art that immediately fosters feelings of enjoyment or relaxation. 

You may need to make compromises with your partner or family for what “good” actually looks like, but you certainly shouldn't put anything on the wall that you don’t like. 

Consider Size Considerations 

With wall art, it gets difficult to create a well organized and balanced space if you don’t consider size considerations. It’s best not to go out looking for anything with no idea about the size you need to fill a particular wall or to complement other hanging wall prints. 

 

A few tips are:

  • Don’t use a small piece of art to fill a big space. If you like small, simply group multiple prints together in rows or create clusters of prints where each piece compliments another
  • Don’t choose pictures that are too big for your furniture, such as pieces that are more than two-thirds longer than your sofa
  • Photos should be at least 15 centimetres above the edge of your furniture
  • Consider the height of ceilings when choosing the size and make sure that the frame fills the space in length and width 

Colour 

There is more allowance for the use of bold colour schemes when choosing prints compared to other things like your wallpaper, but the palette should not differ completely from the colour of your walls or other decorative items. 

Sticking to a consistent scheme which is cohesive, sophisticated, and complementary is the best approach. Below are some additional colour tips.

  • Stay away from fluorescent and neon colours as these do not always match with neutral wall colours
  • Consider using the same colour as your walls or other prints but in different shades to create a continuation, such as various blue and navy shades. A light blue and white painting looks beautiful with a navy-blue wall
  • When in doubt, remember that black and white match everything 

Theme 

There are so many amazing themes to use to inspire your decorative choices, such as rainforest, desert, oriental, rustic and more. 

Also, an inspiration piece for a room could be used to define your theme, which could be your most prized piece of art, a sofa or a piano, for example. 

Once you find an inspiration piece to determine the colour scheme of your room, focus on designing a set palette and some complementary colours that you can use when looking for the perfect wall art. 

Browse Our Collection 

At Culzean Gifts, we have a huge range of decorative items for your home available on our online store. We offer glass printed picture wall art in a range of styles and sizes, including oversized, medium and mini glass art prints, as well as prints to suit several themes and colour schemes.

January 20, 2021 — Paul Winrow