--- title: "Design Guide: Precision Plaques" description: This guide is here to assist you in creating artwork that meets our minimum design specifications for a precision plaque project. To quickly navigate to a specific section, click the links below.  Tip --- [Skip to content](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Gemini Incorporated](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/gemini-logo-horizontal-1.svg) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations Try the "Ask me anything" icon at the bottom right to use our AI search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Gemini Product Guide](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Plaques](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/plaques?hsLang=en) 3. [Precision Plaques](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/plaques?hsLang=en#precision-plaques) September 30, 2026 # Design Guide: Precision Plaques | **[Raised Text and Graphics](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#raised)** | **[Recessed Text and Graphics](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#recessed)** | | --- | --- | | **[Minimum Letter Height](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#letterheight)** | **[Borders](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#borders)** | | **[Custom Shapes](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#customshapes)** | [**ADA-Braille**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#Braille) | --- ### **Precision Plaque - Design Overview** As with all Gemini plaques, there are minimum standards for the raised surface and recessed background that must be met in order to provide a great product. The quality of our plaques reflects longevity and legibility. The minimums listed here were created to preserve both. The first section below, reveals the absolute minimum tooling requirements for any raised or recessed element. It describes stroke values which apply to graphics such as logos, seals and clip art. Those same values apply to text, but the section covering [Minimum Letter Heights](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/design-guide-precision-tooled-plaques#letterheight) presents an easier way to ensure text producibility. --- ### **Precision Plaque - Raised Text and Graphics** Raised text and graphics are created by a CNC router milling down the background of a plaque. A series of routers remove material and get smaller as they start to form the letters and graphics. The smallest bit used is **0.022 inches** or half a millimeter. This is the tool used to get in between the smallest gaps, such as between the serifs of a letter. Due to finishing requirements, the raised letters and graphics also have a minimum stroke value. Any thinner, and the material may curl over, bend, or get completely removed by sanding. We've determined that base stroke values should be at least **0.03 inches**. Small offshoots, like serifs, or thin linking areas between base strokes, should be at least **0.008 inches** as shown below**.** The reason that thinner strokes can exist is because they gain strength by holding onto thicker material. So .008 inch strokes work only by being connected to 0.03 inch strokes. The one exception to the raised material rule applies to "bars" on the plaque. This could be a separation line between paragraphs, an inset border, or a decorative flourish. In order to maintain a consistent look, elements like these should be at least **0.04 inches** thick. [![precision raised text standards](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/precision%20raised%20text%20standards.png?width=670&height=221&name=precision%20raised%20text%20standards.png)](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/precision%20raised%20text%20standards.png?hsLang=en) --- ### **Precision Plaque - Recessed Text and Graphics** Precision plaques can also have recessed lettering with a raised background. With this variation, everything recessed has a minimum stroke value of 0.022 inches. This creates a wide range of varying minimum required letter heights for recessed text. The best fonts to use with this method are generally bold san-serif fonts like Helvetica Bold. [![Precision Text Recessed Standards](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Precision%20Text%20Recessed%20Standards.png?width=670&height=231&name=Precision%20Text%20Recessed%20Standards.png)](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/Precision%20Text%20Recessed%20Standards.png?hsLang=en) --- ### **Precision Plaque - Minimum Letter Height** When considering text, all the stroke values and gap distances listed above can be summed up with one value: Minimum letter height. In plaques, "minimum letter height" refers to a flat capital letter like an uppercase "T". The lowercase letters that would naturally follow the uppercase "T" are also producible as long as the "T" meets the minimum. - For ***raised*** text on Precision plaques, most basic fonts are able to be produced at **0.25"**. This is equally true for simple serif or san-serif fonts. - For ***recessed*** text on Precision plaques, most basic san-serif fonts such as **Arial** or **Helvetica** are able to be produced at **0.25"** as well. However, unlike with raised text, recessed text has a harder time working with serif fonts. Serif fonts may need to be as large as 0.375". - Most fonts will need to be slightly modified by Gemini by thickening or thinning strokes, cutting serifs or other openings, and spacing out/kerning letters. - Changes to your text are usually very subtle and often are not noticeable. - If we feel the changes required are dramatic, our customer service team will inform you as soon as possible. All changes to artwork are shown in the proof. Our **[Plaque Fonts](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/standard-plaque-fonts?hsLang=en)** article highlights the smallest possible fonts we can produce without modification. Some even go below 0.25". While basic fonts like Times New Roman can be produced at 0.25", thin, condensed, bold, or decorative fonts may require minimum letter heights closer to 0.375".  --- ### **Precision Plaque - Borders** Most borders can be produced on Precision plaques. The minimum thickness for a border on the outer edge of the plaque, such as a single line border, is **0.125"**. If adding a bevel, the minimum thickness is **0.375"**. A wide bevel will require a thickness of **0.75"**. If making a custom border, check with your sales representative for producibility concerns. You can find all our borders, including some custom designs on our **[Plaque Borders](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/standard-plaque-borders?hsLang=en)** article. --- ### **Precision Plaque - Custom Shapes and Cutouts** Plaques are typically rectangles, ovals, circles, or squares. However, with Precision plaques, almost any shape is possible. Fillets, cutouts, and gaps require a minimum of **0.0625"** spacing as shown in the example artwork below. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | [![filleting2](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/filleting2.png?width=220&height=213&name=filleting2.png)](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/filleting2.png?hsLang=en) | [![cutouts](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cutouts.png?width=225&height=233&name=cutouts.png)](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/cutouts.png?hsLang=en) | [![gaps](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gaps.png?width=225&height=182&name=gaps.png)](https://hub.geminimade.com/hubfs/gaps.png?hsLang=en) | --- ### **ADA-Braille** Precision plaques allow for the placement of braille on your sign. The braille is translated and added to the design by Gemini and produced alongside the text, border, and graphics as a one-piece construction. Due to the tooling requirements involved, a specific dot size and amount of spacing between the dots is required. These specifications fall within the acceptable range set by the **[2010 ADA Standards for Accessibility: Section 703 Signs – 703.3.1 Braille Dimensions](https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/#)**  It is recommended that rules not pertaining to the braille itself (English font/size, graphics, install location, colors, etc) are verified by the end user, an architect or contractor, or ADA authority. For the purposes of production, Gemini has verified that the braille dots and stipple or sand background textures align with the ADA Standards guide linked above. Submitted artwork will not be evaluated by Gemini for ADA compliancy beyond the braille dot pattern. - Plaque text is translated using UEB Grade 2 braille. Grade 1 is available upon request. - California Braille, a more spaced out version of UEB required by the state of California, is also available upon request. - Braille must be painted the background color. - Adequate spacing for braille should be available on the submitted artwork. - Braille is painted the background color but represented on your proof from Gemini with a slight white stroke like in the image below. - A line of braille created by Gemini measures **0.253"** tall. - Braille dot sized required for production is **0.062"** diameter. - There should be an minimum additional **0.375"** space between the braille and any other tactile surface such as text, graphics, or borders. ![braille dots 2](https://hub.geminimade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/braille%20dots%202.png?width=670&height=264&name=braille%20dots%202.png) #### More About Precision Plaques --- [**Product Overview**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/precision-tooled-plaques-overview?hsLang=en) [**Product Specifications, Mounting, and Installation**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/precision-tooled-plaques-product-specifications?hsLang=en) [**Project Examples**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/precision-tooled-plaques-project-examples?hsLang=en) [**Pricing**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/precision-tooled-plaques-pricing-us?hsLang=en) [**Product Warranty**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/precision-tooled-plaques-product-warranty?hsLang=en) [**ADA and Wayfinding Plaques**](https://hub.geminimade.com/knowledge/ada-and-wayfinding-plaques?hsLang=en)   --- *3010.08* - 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