The Sign Maker: UK Made Slate Memorials Slate Memorial Plaques
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Slate Memorials, Plaques and Tablets
Although we make hundreds of these smaller memorial plaques every year, we take great care to make sure your slate memorial is made just the way you want it. These plaques have a timeless quality and are usually made with unpainted lettering, sandblasted into the slate. However we can paint the letters. Black looks very effective. We can also use White, Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone (light grey) Farrow & Ball Lichen (light green) Gold and Silver.
Sizes
For smaller memorial plaques we normally use slate which is 12mm or 20mm thick. This can be cut to any size. If you want your slate tablet on thicker slate we have 30mm, 50mm and 75mm available. For a darker finish we can oil the slate. This does tend to hide the natural stone makings. If you want less features in the slate you might want to consider Welsh Slate - many say it is the best slate in the world.
Letters
The letters are normally painted black, cream, silver, gold, white or left unpainted. For a more gentle natural effect we match Farrow & Ball Lichen - a pale green which looks lovely against the grey slate. Another natural look is F&B Purbeck Stone which is a very light grey. For other paint colours - click here. For a selection of fonts - Click here Letter size is normally adjusted to suit the size of the slate ordered, but if you have something particular in mind - just let us know . For very small lettering we can laser engraved (no paint fill) Alernatively use Slate Corian whereby the small text can stll be painted. The prices of these sizes already include 25 letters - Extra letters 55p
Thick Slate Memorial
Black Lettering
Unpainted Lettering
Made to Measure - 12mm & 20mm Slate Memorials and Memorial Plaques
The slate can be cut down to any size within the price bracket
Standard Size Tablets Plus Thicker Slate Options
We offer a selection of pre-cut slate memorials in a limited range of standard sizes, providing an affordable option without compromising on quality. This range includes thicker slate options, available in 30mm, 50mm, and even 75mm thickness. With the slate pre-cut and ready for engraving, these memorials combine value with craftsmanship.
The prices of these sizes already include 25 letters - Extra letters 55p
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Slate Wedges
Slate memorial wedges are typically placed directly on the ground, offering a sturdy and timeless option for memorials. The back of the wedge stands at 100mm high, sloping down to 50mm at the front, allowing rain to easily run off the surface, which helps extend the lifespan of the engraving. We offer both portrait and landscape orientations to suit different preferences.
Additionally, we also provide granite wedges.
Slate Memorials - Randomly Cut Dressed
These slate plaques, with their rough, irregular edges, are truly one of a kind. Each plaque is handcrafted into unique shapes using a hammer and chisel, giving them a distinctive, organic appearance. Available in two thicknesses and sizes, these plaques offer a striking aesthetic, though they are more expensive than square-edged slate due to the time and craftsmanship required. The plaques are well suited to natural burial grounds and lettering can be left unpainted or laser etched if paint is a concern.
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Superior Lakeland Green 20mm thick Slate
As an alternative to the standard grey slate we also have a very beautiful green slate from a small quarry in the Lake District. The small scale production guarantees the exceptional quality of this particularly hard, green slate which has very unique markings. More Information
Images
We can include images and even photos on the memorial. We have a selection CLICK HERE - or you can send in your own. If you have nothing appropriate ask our designer to find one for you. Simple images are deep engraved and painted with the letters. Detailed images and photos are laser etched engraved onto oiled slate.
Another option is to add a full colour weather proof plaque. We inset the plaque into the slate and create a border around it the same colour as the lettering.
Standard Images - £14,
Designer to find a Suitable Image - £26
Your own Images or Photos - £36
Slate memorial with deep engraved text and laser etched image.
What are slate memorial plaques made from?
Our slate memorial plaques are made from natural stone, with each piece showing its own unique markings, texture and character. This means no two slate memorials will ever look exactly the same.
Are slate memorial plaques suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. Natural slate is durable, weather-resistant and well suited to outdoor memorials. It can be used in gardens, churchyards, cemeteries, natural burial grounds and other remembrance areas.
What thicknesses of slate are available?
Our smaller made-to-measure memorial plaques are normally produced in 12mm or 20mm slate. We also offer thicker slate memorial tablets in 30mm, 50mm and 75mm thicknesses.
Can you make a slate memorial to a bespoke size?
Yes. Our 12mm and 20mm slate can be cut to almost any size within the relevant price range. We also offer a selection of standard-size, pre-cut memorial tablets and can advise on the most suitable option for your inscription and location.
What can be engraved onto a slate memorial?
Slate memorials can include names, dates, personal messages, poems, quotations and decorative images. Simple images can usually be deeply engraved, while detailed artwork and suitable photographs can be laser etched.
What is the difference between deep engraving and laser etching?
Deep engraving cuts the lettering or design into the slate and can be left natural or paint filled. Laser etching produces a finer surface mark, making it suitable for small lettering, detailed images and photographs, but it is not deep enough to be paint filled.
What is the smallest lettering you can engrave?
Laser-etched lettering can normally be produced from approximately 5mm high. Deeply engraved lettering generally needs to be at least 12mm high when using a simple font. Raised, unpainted lettering normally needs to be at least 25mm high.
Can the engraved lettering be painted?
Yes. Deeply engraved lettering can be left unpainted or filled with colour. Popular choices include black, cream, white, gold, silver, Farrow & Ball Lichen and Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone. Laser-etched lettering cannot be paint filled because the etching is not deep enough.
Can photographs be added to a slate memorial?
Yes. Suitable photographs can be laser etched onto oiled slate. Another option is a full-colour, weatherproof photo plaque inset into the slate, with a painted border created around the insert.
What is the difference between standard grey slate and Welsh slate?
Our standard grey slate has attractive natural markings and variations. Welsh slate generally has a darker, more consistent appearance with fewer visible features, making it a good choice when a smoother and more uniform finish is preferred.
Do you offer other colours of slate?
Yes. As an alternative to traditional grey slate, we also offer Lakeland green slate. This hard natural stone comes from a small Lake District quarry and has distinctive green colouring and unique markings.
Can the slate be oiled?
Yes. Oiling gives the slate a darker, richer appearance and is often used when photographs or detailed images are laser etched. Please note that oiling can make some of the slate’s natural markings less noticeable.
What are slate memorial wedges?
Slate memorial wedges are solid, freestanding memorials designed to sit directly on the ground. Their sloping face makes the inscription easy to read and allows rainwater to run off naturally. They are available in portrait and landscape formats.
Are natural or irregular-edged slate memorials available?
Yes. We offer randomly cut, dressed slate memorials with rough, irregular edges. Each one is shaped by hand using a hammer and chisel, creating a unique, organic appearance that is particularly suitable for natural burial grounds and woodland memorials.
How can a slate memorial plaque be installed?
The best fixing method depends on the memorial style and location. Options can include drilled fixing holes, hidden fixings, ground stakes, plaque holders or freestanding slate wedges and tablets.
Will I receive a proof before the memorial is made?
Yes. We normally provide a design proof for approval before production begins. This gives you the opportunity to check the wording, spelling, layout, font and any images.
How should I clean a slate memorial?
Slate requires very little maintenance. It can normally be cleaned using clean water and a soft cloth or brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and wire brushes, as these may damage the slate or painted lettering.
Can you create a completely bespoke slate memorial?
Yes. Our team specialises in bespoke memorials and can help with custom sizes, unusual shapes, personalised wording, fonts, images, colours and fitting options.
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