A dedication plaque marks the moment a building, wing, park, bridge or cornerstone is formally opened or named — and names the people behind it. Schools, hospitals, churches, municipalities, foundations and the architects and contractors who serve them order dedication plaques from American Cast Bronze Plaques. Every plaque is cast to order, handcrafted by skilled artisans, and backed by a free design proof before anything is made.
Most dedication plaques fall into one of these groups. The size, wording and layout are built around your project — there is no fixed template to fit into.
Building & Wing Dedication
Marks the opening of a new facility, addition, wing or renovation.
Typically cast: building name, dedication date, organization, board or officials, architect & contractor.
Cornerstone & Groundbreaking
Set into the masonry at the start of construction or at the completion ceremony.
Typically cast: year or date, project name, the body that broke ground, a short inscription.
Naming & Honoring
“Named in honor of” a founder, leader, benefactor or long-serving member.
Typically cast: the honoree’s name, why they are honored, who is honoring them, the date.
Park, Bench & Grounds Dedication
Parks, gardens, trails, benches, trees and athletic fields dedicated to a person or group.
Typically cast: the space’s name, the person or group, a line of thanks, the sponsoring organization.
Memorial Dedication
A building, room or space dedicated “in memory of” someone the community has lost.
Typically cast: name and dates, a brief tribute, who dedicated it. See our memorial plaques as well.
Anniversary & Milestone
Centennials, founding anniversaries, reopenings and other milestones worth marking permanently.
Typically cast: the milestone, the years, the organization, leadership at the time.
Wording
What goes on a dedication plaque
There is no required format, but most dedication plaques carry some combination of the elements below. Our designers arrange whatever you provide into a balanced layout, and you see it as a free proof before approving.
Project or building name
Dedication date (or the year of completion)
“Dedicated to,” “In honor of,” or “In memory of” line
The organization, district, parish, agency or foundation
Officials, board members, trustees or committee names
Architect and general contractor credit lines
A seal, crest or logo cast in relief
A short inscription, verse or mission line
Donor or benefactor acknowledgment
Optional border, background texture and finish choices
We lay out and cast your text exactly as you approve it on the proof. We do not proofread names, titles or dates, so please have your committee review the proof carefully before signing off.
Materials
Materials & finishes
Cast bronze is the traditional choice for dedications — it weathers gracefully outdoors and reads as permanent in a way few other materials do. Cast aluminum offers the same raised-letter look at a lighter weight and lower cost, and suits interior and covered locations well. Cast bronze dedication plaques are available in very large sizes; anything over 72″ × 72″ is quoted individually.
Background colors, textures, borders, finishes and mounting hardware are covered in our Plaque Options guide. For the full range of what we cast, see our cast bronze plaques overview.
Institutions & Project Teams
Working with architects, contractors & institutions
American Cast Bronze Plaques is specified in construction documents and purchased by facilities departments, project managers and procurement offices across the country. We are an SBA-certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), registered in SAM.gov, and we accept purchase orders from government agencies and schools. Specifiers can find Division 10 and ADA signage resources on our architect & specifier resources page and our Division 10 architectural signage page.
VOSBSBA-certified Veteran-Owned Small Business
SAM.govUEI ULKHHNYPPJR9 CAGE 9X1T2
POsPurchase orders accepted from government agencies and schools
10% / 15%10% nonprofit, public school, religious, government & first responder · 15% military
Discounts cannot be combined. Written quotes are valid for 60 days. No sales tax.
Timing
Timing for a dedication ceremony
If your plaque is tied to a ceremony, please order at least 6 weeks before the event. That window covers the design proof, your committee’s approval, casting, finishing and free shipping to the lower 48. If the ceremony is closer than that, we recommend ordering a facsimile of the approved design for the event itself; the cast plaque follows and is installed afterward. Step-by-step timing is in our Process Time guide.
Ordering
How ordering works
1
Tell us about the project
Send the wording, any logos or seals, the approximate size and where the plaque will be mounted. A phone call or an email is fine — you do not need to have it all figured out.
2
Receive a free design proof
There is no deposit and no charge for the proof. Small text corrections are free and unlimited. Up to two additional layout renditions are free; further renditions are $20 each. A $100 fee may apply to unusually complicated layouts and is credited toward your purchase.
3
Approve in writing
Once your committee signs off on the proof, casting begins. Proofs are typically approved within five days.
4
Handcrafted to order
Your plaque is cast, hand-finished by skilled artisans and inspected before it ships.
5
Shipped free in the lower 48
Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is billed at actual cost. Cast plaques carry a lifetime guarantee, with the exception of plaques installed flat on the ground.
Questions
Dedication plaque questions
Who can make a bronze dedication plaque for a new building?
American Cast Bronze Plaques provides custom cast bronze dedication plaques for new buildings nationwide. Send us the wording and we return a free design proof; once approved, the plaque is cast to order, handcrafted by skilled artisans and shipped free to the lower 48 states.
What should a dedication plaque say?
Most dedication plaques include the building or project name, the dedication date, a line such as “Dedicated to” or “In honor of,” the organization responsible, and the names of officials, board members or committee members. Many also credit the architect and general contractor and include a seal or logo. Our designers arrange your wording into a balanced layout on the free proof.
How far in advance should we order for a dedication ceremony?
Order at least 6 weeks before the ceremony. If the event is closer than that, we recommend ordering a facsimile of the approved design to display at the ceremony, with the cast plaque installed afterward.
Can you include our architect and contractor on the plaque?
Yes. Architect and general contractor credit lines are common on building dedication plaques and are included at no extra charge. You will see exactly how they are placed on the proof before approving.
Do you accept purchase orders from schools and government agencies?
Yes. We accept purchase orders from government agencies and schools. We are an SBA-certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) registered in SAM.gov (UEI ULKHHNYPPJR9, CAGE 9X1T2).
How large can a cast bronze dedication plaque be?
Cast bronze plaques are available up to 96″ x 96″. Plaques larger than 72″ x 72″ are quoted individually.
Is there a discount for schools, churches, nonprofits or municipalities?
Yes. Nonprofits, public schools, religious organizations, government agencies and first responders receive a 10% discount, and military orders receive 15%. Discounts cannot be combined.
How is a dedication plaque mounted on brick, stone or concrete?
Wall-mounted plaques are attached with mechanical fasteners into the masonry plus construction adhesive. Stake and post mounts are the exception. Step-by-step instructions, including the concealed-stud method, are in our Plaque Installation guide.
Get Started
Let’s plan your dedication plaque
Send us the wording and the ceremony date. We’ll return a free proof and a written quote — no deposit, no obligation.
