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Factory Q-Branch · May 2011

Hi Ajb007 readers.

We have a question we would like feedback on, regarding plaques. We are hard at work on our next wave of replicas and it would be good to gauge opinions on plaques.

As many of you know we currently use a plastic laminate material for our plaques. The reasons for this are

1) Its very tough and durable, it can be bent and flexed and does not scratch as easily as metal. This is important as the plaques undergo a considerable amount of repeated handling before they are placed into the products. Particularly during signing sessions, doubly so during multi-signings.
2) It does not tarnish over time
3) Signatures adhere more permanently to it

However based on some of the feedback we have seen some people seem to have a deep nostalgia for the old Master Replicas style metal plaques. There is a feeling that the laminate plaques are flimsy, even though they are actually more durable and withstand handling better than metal plaques.

So our question for today is:

Do Ajb prop replica buyers prefer metal or plastic plaques?

We, as always, value your thoughts on this.

FE

(FYI, for the cynics, the metal plaques are actually cheaper to produce so its not a cost issue, its a customer satisfaction issue)

Gadget Meister · May 2011

Barry
I'll take either type of plaque as long as the QC on the actual prop is good

Factory Q-Branch · May 2011

So would we! QC/QA is a constant battle in the manufacturing process, getting what you actually pay for is challenging to say the least.

But the good news is that on all items we are now insisting on 100% inspection, which means every unit is looked at and passed or failed, not a representative sample which is the norm. Several of our usual vendors have refused to accept this and it means we cannot work with them, which leads to some production delays, whilst we find replacements, but going forward it will be positive thing.

Back to the question at hand... metal or plastic?

texas007 · May 2011

Metal for me - thanks!

Youknowthename · May 2011

Like Gadget Meister said: if the quality is good, either will do for me.

The Bond Experience · May 2011

Metal

danjaq_0ff · May 2011

I cant say, I have never taken much notice of Master Replicas Before, Star Wars is for pu55ies

Mister Greene · May 2011

metal sir

Pkane2131 · May 2011

No issues with either, thanks !

00-Agent · May 2011

Metal

ke02eww · May 2011

Your point on holding signatures is a good one...

How about metal for non-sig versions (unless you're planning to have a signature version of every prop?) and resin/plastic for the sig versions?

minigeff · May 2011

plastic for me, the reasons being?

easier to process - plastics can be cut quicker and cheaper on lower powered laser cutters. the engraving of names and logos is easier to, and can be done while in the machine meaning less set up costs. the plastics are also lighter and more robust for transit meaning cheaper delivery charges. brass on the other hand is difficult to process using lasers, and needs to be usually machine engraved which can be more expensive, and and problematic. sharp corners in engraving is lost due to the radius of any cutters being used, and most engravers i've come across say letters are ok, but as soon as you mention logos they all start scratching their head and sucking air through their teeth like a plumber.

cheaper to buy - plastics usually stay the same price year round. they can, like anything, flucuate slightly, but metal, such as brass can vary across the year. the price of copper seems to be going only one way these days, meaning a higher purchase price of brass.

more range of material with plastic - aluminium is aluminium, brass is brass etc is etc. plastic though can come in many many different appearances. gold, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, the list goes on, they are all available in plastic and are really impressive on appearance.

versatile - plastic plaques can be bent round corners or curved surfaces. they can be bonded to other plastics with no worries of them peeling off. they can be UV resistant meaning they won't fade in sunlight, they also cut well and require very little post work after processing. metal plaques are more difficult and time consuming to bend round corners, they can be held in place by a range of adhesives, but get this, in sunlight, brass gets hot, heat effects adhesive, plaque falls off = embarassing.

so there ya go baz, theres my reasons why plastics are way better than metals.

in summary, just about every aspect works out cheaper and better with plastics, cheaper meaning you can pass on that saving to your loyal and most brilliant people in your chain, the end user ie your customers.

MG -{

ppw3o6r · May 2011

minigeff wrote:

plastic for me, the reasons being?

easier to process - plastics can be cut quicker and cheaper on lower powered laser cutters. the engraving of names and logos is easier to, and can be done while in the machine meaning less set up costs. the plastics are also lighter and more robust for transit meaning cheaper delivery charges. brass on the other hand is difficult to process using lasers, and needs to be usually machine engraved which can be more expensive, and and problematic. sharp corners in engraving is lost due to the radius of any cutters being used, and most engravers i've come across say letters are ok, but as soon as you mention logos they all start scratching their head and sucking air through their teeth like a plumber.

cheaper to buy - plastics usually stay the same price year round. they can, like anything, flucuate slightly, but metal, such as brass can vary across the year. the price of copper seems to be going only one way these days, meaning a higher purchase price of brass.

more range of material with plastic - aluminium is aluminium, brass is brass etc is etc. plastic though can come in many many different appearances. gold, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, the list goes on, they are all available in plastic and are really impressive on appearance.

versatile - plastic plaques can be bent round corners or curved surfaces. they can be bonded to other plastics with no worries of them peeling off. they can be UV resistant meaning they won't fade in sunlight, they also cut well and require very little post work after processing. metal plaques are more difficult and time consuming to bend round corners, they can be held in place by a range of adhesives, but get this, in sunlight, brass gets hot, heat effects adhesive, plaque falls off = embarassing.

so there ya go baz, theres my reasons why plastics are way better than metals.

in summary, just about every aspect works out cheaper and better with plastics, cheaper meaning you can pass on that saving to your loyal and most brilliant people in your chain, the end user ie your customers.

MG -{

BRILLIANT!

AdamCarterJones · May 2011

Not that I collect this stuff, but plastic for the reasons MG states.

Adam

Factory Q-Branch · May 2011

minigeff wrote:

plastic for me, the reasons being?

easier to process - plastics can be cut quicker and cheaper on lower powered laser cutters. the engraving of names and logos is easier to, and can be done while in the machine meaning less set up costs. the plastics are also lighter and more robust for transit meaning cheaper delivery charges. brass on the other hand is difficult to process using lasers, and needs to be usually machine engraved which can be more expensive, and and problematic. sharp corners in engraving is lost due to the radius of any cutters being used, and most engravers i've come across say letters are ok, but as soon as you mention logos they all start scratching their head and sucking air through their teeth like a plumber.

cheaper to buy - plastics usually stay the same price year round. they can, like anything, flucuate slightly, but metal, such as brass can vary across the year. the price of copper seems to be going only one way these days, meaning a higher purchase price of brass.

more range of material with plastic - aluminium is aluminium, brass is brass etc is etc. plastic though can come in many many different appearances. gold, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, the list goes on, they are all available in plastic and are really impressive on appearance.

versatile - plastic plaques can be bent round corners or curved surfaces. they can be bonded to other plastics with no worries of them peeling off. they can be UV resistant meaning they won't fade in sunlight, they also cut well and require very little post work after processing. metal plaques are more difficult and time consuming to bend round corners, they can be held in place by a range of adhesives, but get this, in sunlight, brass gets hot, heat effects adhesive, plaque falls off = embarassing.

so there ya go baz, theres my reasons why plastics are way better than metals.

in summary, just about every aspect works out cheaper and better with plastics, cheaper meaning you can pass on that saving to your loyal and most brilliant people in your chain, the end user ie your customers.

MG -{

Brilliant indeed... we vote for Minigeff as our new spokesman ;-)

He gives all the reasons (and does it better than us) why we selected plastic initially. Durability and flexibility being the main ones. Master Replicas used to get a huge number of customer service issues with their plaques. But psychologically people like the feel and thickness of metal.

We have taken all the comments on board and will consider the next plaques carefully. Now on to today's question... probably best in a new post....

ics · May 2011

minigeff wrote:

plastic for me, the reasons being?

easier to process - plastics can be cut quicker and cheaper on lower powered laser cutters. the engraving of names and logos is easier to, and can be done while in the machine meaning less set up costs. the plastics are also lighter and more robust for transit meaning cheaper delivery charges. brass on the other hand is difficult to process using lasers, and needs to be usually machine engraved which can be more expensive, and and problematic. sharp corners in engraving is lost due to the radius of any cutters being used, and most engravers i've come across say letters are ok, but as soon as you mention logos they all start scratching their head and sucking air through their teeth like a plumber.

cheaper to buy - plastics usually stay the same price year round. they can, like anything, flucuate slightly, but metal, such as brass can vary across the year. the price of copper seems to be going only one way these days, meaning a higher purchase price of brass.

more range of material with plastic - aluminium is aluminium, brass is brass etc is etc. plastic though can come in many many different appearances. gold, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, the list goes on, they are all available in plastic and are really impressive on appearance.

versatile - plastic plaques can be bent round corners or curved surfaces. they can be bonded to other plastics with no worries of them peeling off. they can be UV resistant meaning they won't fade in sunlight, they also cut well and require very little post work after processing. metal plaques are more difficult and time consuming to bend round corners, they can be held in place by a range of adhesives, but get this, in sunlight, brass gets hot, heat effects adhesive, plaque falls off = embarassing.

so there ya go baz, theres my reasons why plastics are way better than metals.

in summary, just about every aspect works out cheaper and better with plastics, cheaper meaning you can pass on that saving to your loyal and most brilliant people in your chain, the end user ie your customers.

MG -{

No more post in this thread is needed…:D

minigeff · May 2011

cheers for the display of faith in my opinions guys.

i should start charging FE for this ****...

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