The Namesake

Nameplates are like a stamp on one’s home and belongings,and most people use them as a tool to preserve their unique identity. The traditional wooden board with big,block,painted letters are slowly giving way to stone,glass and metal panels inlaid with intricate designs and innovative colour schemes. Combinations of stone and glass,glass and metal or even two different kinds of metal are also used extensively.

“Nameplates give people a sense of uniqueness and individuality,and peoples’ requests for customized nameplates often reflect their own tastes and personalities,” said Neeta Khote whose company specializes in creating made-to-order nameplates for a wide range of customers,right from nameplates for working professionals to children’s nameplates with various cartoon themes. They even employ their own calligraphy artist,who suggests creative ways of displaying the customers’ names,which are then hand-carved in metal,glass or wood based on the designs from their catalog or even the customer’s own design.

Based on the materials used and intricacy of the design,the price of a nameplate varies from Rs.750 to Rs. 22000 for the elaborate,high-end models. Personalisation of other articles like desk-plates and paperweights is also carried out by the craftsmen.

On the other hand,the traditional nameplate manufacturers are also modifying their style slightly in order to keep up with the competition in the market. However,the traditional nameplates made out of soft plywood are still finding their way to the doors of citizens. Amit Badhai one of the traditional nameplate makers from Ravivar Peth,said “ Most of the customers demand only a cut-out of basic designs,and add their own touches to it,sometimes changing the material entirely. If any customer wants a completely readymade design,then we send that cut out to designer who creates it as per the specifications of the customer.” The traditional nameplates have a starting cost of Rs. 50 to up to Rs.200 for a basic cutout only,and fully made nameplates can be obtained for Rs. 1000 upwards ,depending on the size.

This could be an easier route for you to make an easier route for yourself.