Bronze vs. Stainless Steel for Signage: Which Is Best? February 18, 2025 Business Signs Choosing a type of metal for your sign or plaque shouldn’t cause choice paralysis. You want the best choice possible, which is why you’ve probably settled on two: bronze vs. stainless steel. Bronze and stainless steel signs are uniquely similar yet different — bronze is a vintage yellow hue, while stainless steel has a modern silver color, for example. But there’s a lot more to these metals than their initial appearance, and choosing one may, in fact, be better than the other, depending on your needs What is bronze? Bronze is one of the most popular metals in the world due to its unique characteristics. Although its discovery is unknown, the earliest known bronze artifacts were developed around 4500 BC. However, its popularity and widespread use didn’t occur until about 3000 B.C. in a period known as the Bronze Age. Bronze is a type of copper alloy that usually consists of about 12% tin or other metals, like aluminum, zinc, or phosphorus. Benefits of bronze for signage Bronze is a popular choice for metal signage, especially plaques, as its unique properties make it long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Its historical significance also ensures any bronze sign you place will stand the test of time. Durability Simply put, bronze is incredibly durable. Its resistance to extreme stress allows it to withstand the toughest conditions. It won’t bend or break and is resistant to extreme weather conditions. Bronze is also resistant to corrosion. Its chemical composition keeps it intact, making it a popular metal for signage exposed to the elements. Bronze is a popular option for plaques that are traditionally mounted outdoors, such as park bench plaques, address plaques, and National Register plaques. Aesthetic appeal Patina is a natural occurrence on bronze signs and plaques that develop over time. This thin layer of oxidation changes the color of the bronze and protects it from harmful effects. It’s often a coveted outcome that emphasizes antiquity and aesthetic appeal, especially for memorial plaques and donor plaques. Versatility Bronze’s durability and corrosion-resistant nature make it a desirable material in a variety of industries. As such, bronze signs are often favored for outdoor maps, memorial plaques, wayfinding signage, and more. A few design options for bronze include: Etching bronze for plaques and signs is an especially popular choice due to its crisp detail and sharpness. Cast bronze plaques are a durable and timeless option for memorials and dedications. Add a picture to a bronze plaque with photo relief plaques. In the cast bronze option, your photo is turned into a low relief sculpture as the plaque’s background image. Elevate your standard bronze plaque with a bas relief plaque. In this method, a sculptor works from a photograph of the subject to create a clay mold of a person, which is then filled with molten bronze to create a slightly raised sculpture of the subject that is mounted to the rest of the plaque. Longevity Bronze’s durability adds another benefit: longevity. With its minimal maintenance needs, aesthetic appeal, and immense versatility, a bronze sign is a cost-effective investment that will stand the test of time. Bronze plaques are an excellent choice for the veterans and military plaques in cemeteries or veterans memorials or Hall of Fame plaques at schools and businesses because of their longevity. Common uses for bronze As an incredibly versatile metal, bronze can be used in countless applications, including: Awards Artwork Cookware Dedications Historical markers Instruments Jewelry Lettering Logo signs Memorial signs Plaques Wayfinding markers Types of bronze signs The number of sign types is almost as vast as the many applications for bronze. You can use bronze for: Etched bronze signs Bronze logo signs Cast bronze plaques Photo relief plaques Bas relief plaques Memorial plaques Dedication plaques Veterans and military plaques Donor plaques and walls National Register plaques Address plaques Park bench plaques Hall of Fame plaques Cast bronze letters Whether it’s to commemorate a volunteer, memorialize loved ones, or upgrade an address on the side of your building, bronze is a solid choice. What is stainless steel? Stainless steel is a form of steel made from at least 10.5% chromium. It’s resistant to corrosion and rusting due to a protective layer that forms during processing. Different variations can exist, depending on the type of metals it’s fused with. Steel is a relatively modern metal. It was discovered in the late 18th century, but mass production did not occur until the 20th century. Today, stainless steel can be found in various applications and is a popular choice for outdoor signs. Benefits of stainless steel for signage Signage made from stainless steel benefits from its sleek, modern appearance, varied use, and incredible durability. As such, it’s a popular metal for many modern offices and homes. Durability The incredible durability of stainless steel is due to passivation, a natural process that results from the presence of chromium. That’s one reason why it’s popular to use stainless steel signs or letters in marine environments so long as proper maintenance is applied. Passivation coats stainless steel with a protective chromium oxide layer derived from its chromium content. To maximize the protective layer, stainless steel is dipped in an acid bath to remove any traces of iron on the surface, increasing the area of the chromium content, which increases the chromium oxide layer. Stainless steel’s durability can vary depending on its composition — the two most popular are C304 and C316. C304 is the most common stainless steel alloy, while we always recommend Alloy C316 for marine environments due to increased corrosion resistance, higher nickel content, and molybdenum. Strength and rigidity Stainless steel’s strength and rigidity keep it resistant to immense stress, making it ideal for signage. If you’re looking for signs outdoors, corten steel may be a better choice. Unlike the stainless variety, corten steel develops a natural patina that protects itself, similar to the way bronze does. If you’re planning to place a sign in an area that will get wet, consider corten steel. Modern aesthetics Unlike bronze, stainless steel maintains its silvery sheen appearance over time without developing a patina due to its protective layer. This allows it to keep its sleek appearance throughout its lifespan. Plus, you won’t be accused of being too old-fashioned when choosing a sign made of stainless steel. Easy maintenance Due to its strength, durability, and natural protective layer, stainless steel is relatively easy to maintain. This is especially important for signage, as no special methods are needed to clean stainless steel. Simply use warm soap and a mild detergent to clean any stainless steel plaque or sign. It should be noted that although stainless steel won’t stain (it’s in the name), it is susceptible to showing fingerprints (unlike bronze). Using gloves when handling and after cleaning is recommended to preserve its sheen. Common uses for stainless steel You’ll find stainless steel used for applications that require its unique properties, including: Cookware Household appliances Cutlery Medical equipment Surgical tools Memorial plaques Address letterings Picture frames Architecture Sculptures Airport roofs Aerospace applications Automobile bodies Rail cars Whether it’s for a kitchen sink or commemorative photo plaques for aviation, stainless steel has limitless potential. Types of stainless steel signs Similar to bronze, there are countless versions of stainless steel signs available for whatever project you may need. Impact Signs offers the following stainless steel products: Stainless steel signs Fabricated stainless steel lighted panels Cut metal letters Fabricated metal letters Backlit letters Backlit lobby signs Stainless steel plaques Memorial plaques Address plaques and signs Park bench or garden plaques No matter what you’re using it for, a stainless steel sign can withstand nearly any situation while being aesthetically pleasing. Bronze vs. stainless steel: Which is better? When presented with the option of bronze vs. stainless steel for your signs or other applications, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. They are both strong and highly versatile metals. Bronze is a tried-and-true material that looks good in nearly any application. However, despite its many benefits, bronze does have a few drawbacks. Bronze Pros Durable Corrosion-resistant Strong Ages well Classic aesthetic Long-lasting Low maintenance Bronze Cons More expensive Can be difficult to work with Heavy Stainless steel is also incredibly versatile. There are many applications for this type of metal, but it also has some disadvantages to be aware of. Stainless Steel Pros Affordable Corrosion-resistant Low maintenance Versatile Modern Stainless Steel Cons Scratches easily Can be more expensive than bronze When deciding whether to choose bronze or stainless steel, consider the various pros and cons for each and how they apply to your needs. Design the perfect bronze or stainless steel signage Choosing between bronze vs. stainless steel is a common design dilemma; both are incredibly versatile metals that will stand the test of time. But if you aren’t sure which metal to choose, the experts at Impact Signs can help. Contact us to get a quote for your sign, plaque, lettering, or any other signage you need.