How to Make a Trophy Plaque
Trophy plaques are used in a wide variety of situations from youth sports teams to corporate businesses. They are often given to reward a performance or to acknowledge a certain achievement. Though you can buy a trophy plaque already made and have it engraved, it is also possible to create your own.
Trophy plaques are wonderful to receive. However, for the person or company giving them out, they can get quite costly. Depending on the materials used and the amount of engraving demanded, the cost can be too much. Save some money and exercise some of your creativity by making a trophy plaque yourself.
Items needed:
- Pencil
- Pattern of a plaque
- 3/4" x 13" x 15" hardwood board
- Scroll saw
- Sandpaper
- Satin finish polyurethane
- Paint brush
- Wood glue
- Engraved tag
- Hammer
- Picture hanging kit
Instructions:
- Trace the plaque pattern onto the piece of hardwood board with your pencil.
- Use the saw to cut the plaque pattern out of the hardwood board. Make sure that as you are cutting you remain on the outer edge of the pencil line rather than the inside. It is better to err on the side of needing to remove more wood than having cut too much, with no option for repair.
- Sand down the entire surface of the newly formed plaque. If any uneven edges have resulted from the sawing and cutting, sand these down so the plaque is as smooth and even as possible.
- Apply a coat of satin finish polyurethane on the plaque using your paint brush. Be sure to paint with the wood grain and not against it.
- Allow to dry completely.
- Attach the engraved tag to the plaque with the wood glue. Be sure to only use a thin coat as you do not want any glue seeping over the edge making the plaque look sloppy. Make sure the tag is applied straight and is centered.
- Attach the picture hanging kit to the back side of the plaque so that the recipient can hang it on their wall if they desire. Use a hammer to attach the kit.