Common Queries about our Garden Plaques

Frequently asked questions

If you can't find the answer to a question here, then please contact us and we will be happy to help.

What happens when I buy a KeepStakes garden plaque online?

When you have completed the order form, you will receive an email confirming your purchase and the engraving details required. Please check these carefully and contact us immediately if there are any errors. If we do not hear from you within 24 hours of your order submission, we will assume the text is correct.

Your personalised plaque will then be engraved, and if you have chosen the Silver, Gold or Platinum packages, will be wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a gift box. The package is then tied with ribbon (you can choose pink, blue or white/neutral) and a KeepStakes gift tag is added. Please note ribbon type may vary from the pictures shown on the website. If you have requested that we complete the gift tag on your behalf, it will be handwritten for you.

Your gift box or garden plaque on its own (if you have chosen the Bronze package) will then be placed in a padded bag and posted first class to your requested delivery address.

How much text can I have on the garden plaque?

We can engrave any text in the English/Western alphabet. Please have a look at our Marking Milestones section for examples of inspiring wordings and engraved plaques.

The maximum amount of text that will fit neatly onto the plaque is 5 lines with a maximum of 50 characters per line including spaces. You don't need to use all these characters, in our experience, less text can often look better.

If there are less than 50 characters in the line of text which details the name, we will emphasise the line by using slightly bigger or shaded text to make this stand out.

For presentation purposes we blacken the engraved letters to make them stand out clearly for your gift recipient or yourself. This black colour fades to grey within a few days of outdoor use, however the engraved letters are obviously permanent and will stand the test of time. We recommend polishing the plaque 2/3 times a year with a beeswax furniture polish to keep it clean and legible.

Can I choose any text?

Yes, in letters from the English/Western alphabet, and within the limits of taste and decency.

What pictures can be added to the top of the plaque?

There are a number of pictures that can be added to the top of the plaque. You can see pictures of the options relevant to specific occasions on the occasion pages in the menu, for example for a baby or wedding gift. If you wish to add a picture, select your preferred option on the order form.

Have a look at the selection of pictures available.

Of course, pictures are entirely optional, if you prefer not to have a picture added to your plaque, simply select the no icon option on the order form.

What is on the Back of a KeepStake?

We engrave care instructions, a small KeepStakes logo and web address on the back of each plaque. If you would prefer to have the back of your KeepStake blank, please note your request in the "Special Request" form on the order form.

Can I choose not to have seeds but still have the gift packaging?

Yes, however, it is the same price as the silver package. Some countries may have restrictions on importing seeds, however we frequently dispatch our silver packages throughout the world by standard airmail post and experience very few difficulties with the authorities.

How can I find out if there is a participating Garden Centre near my/my recipients home?

Simply visit the National Garden Gift Vouchers website. To find your nearest participating outlet simply click on the map of the UK.

If I buy the Silver, Gold or Platinum package, can you post the garden plaque directly to my chosen recipient?

Absolutely. We make no charge for this service and we will complete a gift card with your chosen message. Just tick the gift option on the order form, add your message for the gift card in the box provided and complete both name and address sections on the order form.

What are the dimensions of the KeepStakes garden plaque?

The plaque itself measures 11cm by 8cm by 2mm depth. The whole product is 30cm length including tapered stake.

What is the plaque made of?

The plaques are made of aluminium which is anodised* to ensure the finished product is weatherproof and suited for outdoor use. The engraving process cuts through the anodised protective coating, however it is very unlikely that weathering will cause any problems reading the text in years to come.

How long can I expect a KeepStakes garden plaque to last in the garden?

Indefinitely. Products fabricated from similar materials have been used in gardens for a long time without significant weathering. Each plaque is made from the highest quality materials, and professionally engraved with a personalised message and style. The engraved letters are coloured in black for presentation purposes and although the black colour fades with outdoor use, the engraving becomes more prominent as the plaque gets dirty over the years. You can buy a plaque with confidence that it will still look good in years to come.

*The chemistry of aluminium alloys is interesting. Given that it's a reactive metal (more so than iron) one would expect it to naturally corrode more rapidly than it actually does. The reason it doesn't is that the initial formation of an oxide layer on the surface protects the base metal underneath. Anodising is a process which forms a particularly structured and dense oxide layer which protects the underlying metal giving a long lasting weatherproof material ideal for outdoor use.

Due to the plaques being laser cut from sheet metal, there can be some very faint surface scratches. However they are unlikely to be noticeable and reflect the expectations of an outdoor product.