Etched is generally used for thin material such as stainless steel, zinc, or bronze. You can etch into a substrate with either a laser or chemicals. This allows for finer detail and works well for the awards industry because you can get more copy onto a small area.
When you do casts, however, there are limitations on text size. This method is more for larger projects like military seals or large building plaques.
Multi-dimensional plaques often use casts because you’re likely using sculptures, casting them, and applying them to the plaque using clay or a photo relief process.
-Courtney Ramos-Fincher, A.R.K. Ramos
