How Long Does It Take to Process a Plaque Order?
At American Cast Bronze Plaques, one of the most common questions we receive is:
“How long will it take to make my plaque?”
The answer depends on the type of plaque, the design complexity, and the current workload at our foundries. Every plaque is custom-made, finished by hand, and carefully inspected before shipping — ensuring lasting quality and craftsmanship.
Average Production Times
Proofing Process: 1-5 Business Days (Mon-Fri)
Initial Proofs are generally created within 48 hours of order being placed. Orders placed between Friday PM and Sunday PM should expect the proof by Monday PM or Tuesday AM. Proof change requests are usually returned the same day or within 24 hours, not counting weekends.
BAS Photo Relief Proofs: 20-45 Business Days (Mon-Fri)
BAS Reliefs proofs are sculpted by artists and depending on the time of the year and/or workload, the amount of time that it takes to provide a BAS Relief Proof can take many weeks.
Pre-Production: 2-4 Business Days (Mon-Fri)
Once your proof is approved the time it takes to prepare your files for production.
Production: 12-20 Business Days (Mon-Fri)
On average, most plaques are completed in about 3 weeks and upwards to 4 weeks. Although we can sometimes rush the Proofing, Pre-Production, and Shipping steps, there are no rush options for the actual production period.
Shipping: 1-5 Business Days (Mon-Fri)
Most shipping takes about 3 days via Ground. Expedited shipping options are available for those who need an expedited plaque.
Important Note: Most plaques are created without any issues, but due to the nature and process of creating metal plaques, please be aware that sometimes plaques may have to be either recreated or refinished and this may add to the production time.
| Plaque Type | Estimated Production Time* |
|---|---|
| Precision Tooled Plaques | 10–15 business days |
| Cast Bronze or Aluminum Plaques | 15–20 business days |
| Photo Plaques (Etched, Flat Relief, Photo Relief, or UV Printed) | 20–25 business days |
| BAS Relief (Hand-Sculpted Portraits) | Up to 30 business days |
*Production times begin once payment is received and the final customer proof is approved.
All timelines are based on business days (Monday–Friday) and exclude holidays.
Proofing and Approval
Before your plaque enters production, our design team creates a digital proof for your review. You’ll have the opportunity to check spelling, layout, colors, and overall design.
Once you approve the proof, we submit it to our internal production team for an additional in-house proofing process. This ensures every element — from letter size to mounting holes — meets manufacturing standards.
This internal review typically adds 1–2 business days and helps prevent production errors.
In rare cases, the production team may request a revised proof if a design element needs adjustment (for example, text that’s too small to cast cleanly). If that happens, we’ll contact you right away for an updated approval before moving forward.
Behind the Scenes: Why Quality Takes Time
Every plaque goes through several steps that can’t be rushed:
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Pattern and mold creation (for cast plaques).
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Metal pouring, cooling, and cleanup.
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Finishing, painting, or patina application.
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Curing and protective topcoat application.
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Final inspection and packaging for shipment.
Because each piece is handcrafted, occasional issues such as a flawed casting or surface imperfection may require remaking the plaque. We never ship a plaque that doesn’t meet our quality standards — even if it means a few extra days.
Planning Ahead for Events
While we do our best to meet estimated timelines, we strongly recommend allowing at least 45 days from order placement to delivery — especially if your plaque will be unveiled at a ceremony or public event.
This buffer helps accommodate proofing time, internal reviews, and any unforeseen production delays. Our team will always communicate openly if something changes.
Rush Orders
Because of the labor-intensive casting and tooling process, we do not offer rush production. Our foundries operate at full capacity year-round, producing thousands of plaques for customers nationwide.
We believe that quality craftsmanship takes time — and your finished plaque will be worth the wait.
Key Takeaways
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Production time starts after final proof approval and payment.
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Business days are Monday through Friday (holidays excluded).
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Proofing and internal review typically add a few extra days.
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Do not schedule events dependent on plaque delivery if less than 45 days away.
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Rush orders are not available due to the precision of the casting process.