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Opening plaques design example
Design example. Finish and optional backing affect the final price.

Made to order · Your wording

Opening plaques

Mark the occasion clearly.

Create an opening plaque for a school, building or community space. Arrange the venue name, opening person and date in a free online proof, with the price shown before payment. Start with A4 for formal wording and check any fixed ceremony deadline with us before ordering.

from £145

Standard engraving, fixings and UK delivery included. Extras are shown before checkout.

Design opening plaque

Prefer us to design it? ↗

Create your free proof online. No account needed.

  • Longer tribute wording
  • Presentation plaques
  • Opening plaques
  • Prominent wall displays

Size, wording and fitting

Plan your opening plaque.

Explore the finishes ↗

Agree the names, titles and date first

Gather the official venue name, the opening person’s full name and title, the ceremony date and any required acknowledgement. For schools, community centres and funded projects, check contributor names with the people responsible before creating the final proof.

Choose a size for the inscription and location

A4 (297 × 210 mm) provides space for a heading, name, role and date. A5 (210 × 148 mm) can work for a shorter inscription in a smaller space. Measure the wall or presentation area, consider how close visitors will stand and use the proof to check that every line has enough room.

Plan the finish and mounting

Brass has a warm, traditional appearance; stainless steel has a silver finish suited to modern settings. Optional wood backing is available for suitable plaques and adds to the price and production time. Check the fixing options against the intended wall or support before approval.

Leave time for approval and the ceremony

Download the proof PDF to share with colleagues and agree one final version before paying. Production begins after approval and payment, with delivery time additional. If your plaque is needed for an unveiling, contact us with the required arrival date and postcode before placing the order. For logos or supplied artwork, ask us to confirm what is possible before relying on it in your design.

A starting point for your inscription

Opening plaque wording examples.

These are sample inscriptions. Replace the names and details with your own, then check the line breaks and text size in the designer.

A building opening

RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Officially opened by
[Name and title]
on [Day Month Year]

Recognising support

THE READING GARDEN
Created with the generous support of
[Supporter or organisation]
Opened on [Day Month Year]

Before approval, confirm the official venue name, spelling, titles, contributor names and ceremony date with everyone responsible for the inscription.

Discuss a deadline or artwork requirement ↗

A little help choosing.

Compare the brass and stainless steel finishes before choosing a material. Once the inscription is agreed, check how the free proof and approval process works before arranging your ceremony.

Help before you order

Your questions, answered.

Have something else in mind?

Talk to us ↗
Can colleagues check the opening plaque before we order?

Yes. Download the proof PDF and share it for review. It includes a link back to the design. Agree the exact spelling, titles, date and acknowledgement wording before one person approves the final layout and places the order.

Can you meet our opening ceremony date?

Contact us before ordering with the required arrival date, delivery postcode and plaque options. Production estimates start after proof approval and payment, and delivery takes additional time. Please have the date confirmed before depending on the plaque for an event.

Can the plaque include a school crest or organisation logo?

The online designer is set up for inscription layouts. For a crest, logo or supplied artwork, contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether your requirements can be accommodated and how they affect the proof, price and timing.

Can I see my plaque before I pay?

Yes. Create your layout in the online designer, with no account or payment needed. Check names, dates, line breaks and fixing positions, then download your proof PDF if you need time to decide. The PDF includes a link to return to your design. The proof is for approving wording and layout; screen colours and texture previews are illustrative.

What is included in the price?

Standard plaque prices include engraving, standard fixings and UK delivery. Wood backing, special finishes and other extras are priced in the designer before checkout.

How long will my plaque take?

Standard production is estimated at 5 working days from proof approval and payment. Standard aged-brass plaques are estimated at 7 working days; A4/A5 with wood backing at 10; custom sizes and other wood-backed plaques at 15. Your selected options determine the estimate shown before checkout. These are production estimates, with delivery time additional. Contact us before ordering for a fixed event date.

Put your words in place.

Create your layout and see the price before you pay.

Design your plaque