Wording Ideas for Plaques and Engraving
What wording is best on a time capsule plaque? What wording do you use for engraving a time capsule?
Comparing Plaques & Engraving
The answer varies because it is up to you to provide that all important message to the future. Below, we have some examples. You can put the same wording on both the engraved lid of your time capsule and the plaque that marks the spot. On the other hand, you could make a unique message on your engraved time capsule that does not need to go on the plaque that marks the spot. Some people use plaques as a marker for the time capsule, while others do not opt for burial yet want a special message on the time capsule to show people a little bit about it before it is opened many years hence.
Both plaques and engraving can accommodate logos, but the artwork needs to be in vector format. Plaques, because they involve pouring of metal into molds, or metal forming, has strict requirements for letter size and spacing in between lines and letters. See the information pamphlets here. All capital lettering takes up less space than lettering that includes both capital and lower case lettering, oddly enough. It is the size of letters overall that is important. Letter height must be at least 1/4 inch if all capital letters and at least 3/8 inch for cap & lower case. As for size, your wording just needs to fit on the plaque size you choose. Sometimes we can use condensed lettering to make your wording fit - but not always!
Examples of Text for Both Plaques & Engraving
| SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TIME CAPSULE Sealed on May 24, 2016 Commemorating our 10th Anniversary To be opened on our 50th Anniversary May 2056 | (LOGO) Pekin Insurance Time Capsule Dedicated to our customers, agents, employees, & community Commemorating our 50th anniversary Dedicated 2015 We invite citizens of the future to recover this capsule during the year 2065. | TIME CAPSULE CITY OF OAK CREEK Celebrating 50 Years Drexel Town Square Dedicated August 25, 2015 To Be Opened August 25, 2065 |
| TIME CAPSULE WASHTENAW COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEDICATED BY THE SHERIFF JERRY L. CLAYTON - ON OCTOBER 3, 2015 - THIS CAPSULE IS PLANNED TO BE OPENED IN 2030 BY FUTURE GENERATIONS. | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF DUNEDIN TIME CAPSULE TO HONOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FOUNDING DEDICATED OCTOBER 10, 2015 OPEN IN THE YEAR 2065 | Laird Center for Medical Research Time Capsule Placed here on October 10, 2008 In celebration of the dedication of the Laird Center for Medical Research To be opened on the 50th anniversary of this occasion October 10, 2058 |
| SMITH FAMILY TIME CAPSULE PLACED OCTOBER 2018 OPEN IN 2068! | CITY OF SAN DIMAS CENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULE DEDICATED FEBRUARY 2050 PLEASE OPEN IN 2150 | CENTRIFUGAL FORCE TIME CAPSULE DEDICATION HONORING 50 YEARS' SERVICE OPEN IN 2069 |
| LAKE FOREST ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL Est. January 6, 2006 (LOGO) We Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, & Embrace the Future. Time Capsule To Be Opened: October 2040 | Sheriff Zach Scott Franklin County Sheriffs Office Training Academy Time Capsule Pride - Service - Sacrifice - Honor Serving Our Community Dedicated 2015 To be reopened in 2065 | Behind this plaque is a time capsule sealed by the members and friends of Mt. Zion on July 29, 2014 on the occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the dedication of the sanctuary in 1914 --- to be opened 50 years hence. |
| Austin Public Library (logo) TIME CAPSULE Commemorating THE CENTRAL LIBRARY 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 2016 TO BE OPENED NOVEMBER 2116 | Patrons of the Prado TIME CAPSULE Celebrating the Balboa Park Centennial July 19, 2015 To Be Opened July 2115 | THE TIME CAPSULE WITHIN COMMEMORATES THE OPENING OF TIFFANY & CO. 37 WALL STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK OCTOBER 10, 2007 |
| Walnut Creek (logo) 100 1914-2014 Centennial Time Capsule Sealed October 21, 2014 To be opened October 2064 | TIME CAPSULE CITY OF GREENDALE, MISSOURI INCORPORATED MAY 1950 CAPSULE PLACED JUNE 2015 OPEN CAPSULE JUNE 2035 | TIME CAPSULE SEALED ON JULY 9, 2009 TO BE OPENED IN 2075 IN COMMEMORATION OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SLEEP MEDICINE'S CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY |
Words to Consider for Your Message
- This is a time capsule - so do include the phrase TIME CAPSULE
- Who is placing the time capsule and/or plaque - include your company name or names (one or two lines)
- The date of placement - when you place the time capsule or when you dedicate the building (month and year or even a season and a year are common)
- The date you want the time capsule to be opened (we recommend you not be specific - year or month and year are sufficient in many cases)
- Sometimes there is a line that is a tagline or small message that is important to your group or company
- Sometimes there is a logo
- Sometimes there is a quote that is important and an author attributed
