Custom Awards & Corporate Plaques – Sustainable Wooden Recognition, Made in Ireland

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland. FSC timber, laser engraving, Pantone/RAL matching. One-off to 500+ units. Fast 3–4 week lead times.


Custom Awards & Plaques

Custom Awards & Plaques

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Signage and Maps: Enhancing the Visitor Experience with Unique and Memorable Designs - Custom Wood Designs

Signage and Maps: Enhancing the Visitor Experience with Unique and Memorable Designs

Wood branding, also known as pyrography, is a marketing technique that involves burning designs or logos onto wooden surfaces. In the tourism industry, wood branding is a powerful tool that can be used to create unique and memorable signage and maps for visitors. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of wood branding for signage and maps, and the different types of wooden products that can be branded to enhance the visitor experience, with examples of businesses that have successfully used this technique.

 

Custom Wood Designs Ireland

Benefits of Wood Branding for Signage and Maps

  1. Creating a Sense of Place Wood branding is a great way to create a sense of place for visitors. By branding wooden signage and maps with local landmarks, attractions, or historical sites, businesses can help visitors connect with the destination and its unique identity. For example, the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland uses wood branding to mark their visitor center and trail signage, creating a distinctive and memorable experience for visitors.

  2. Enhancing the Visitor Experience Wood branding can also enhance the visitor experience by creating a cohesive and memorable atmosphere. By branding wooden maps or signs with unique designs, businesses can create a distinctive and memorable experience for visitors. The National Trust for Scotland uses wood branding to mark their trails and visitor centers, creating a cohesive and memorable experience for visitors to their sites.

  3. Reflecting Sustainability and Authenticity Wood branding can also reflect sustainability and authenticity, which are increasingly important values for visitors. By using locally sourced and sustainable materials, such as reclaimed or FSC-certified wood, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility and showcase the authenticity of their products and services. For example, the Lismore Heritage Centre in Ireland uses wood branding to mark their locally sourced and sustainable wooden signage, reflecting their commitment to promoting the cultural and natural heritage of their destination.

Types of Wooden Products for Signage and Maps

  1. Trail Signs Wooden trail signs are a great way to help visitors navigate a destination and create a sense of place. By branding wooden trail signs with local landmarks, attractions, or historical sites, businesses can create a cohesive and memorable experience for visitors. The National Parks of the United Kingdom use wood branding to mark their trail signs, creating a distinctive and memorable experience for visitors.

  2. Visitor Center Signage Wooden visitor center signage is a great way to create a welcoming and authentic atmosphere for visitors. By branding wooden visitor center signage with unique designs or logos, businesses can create a distinctive and memorable experience for visitors. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland uses wood branding to mark their visitor center signage, creating a unique and memorable atmosphere for visitors.

  3. Maps Wooden maps are a great way to help visitors navigate a destination and create a sense of place. By branding wooden maps with local landmarks, attractions, or historical sites, businesses can create a cohesive and memorable experience for visitors. The City of Dublin in Ireland uses wood branding to mark their tourist maps, creating a distinctive and memorable experience for visitor

In conclusion, wood branding is a powerful marketing tool for businesses in the tourism industry. By incorporating wood branding into their signage and maps, businesses can create a unique and memorable brand image, enhance the visitor experience, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and authenticity. From trail signs to visitor center signage and maps, wood branding has something to offer for every business in the tourism industry.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland.

Premium, sustainable recognition pieces for corporate, hospitality & events

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving and UV colour printing. From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Why choose our awards


  • Sustainable materials: FSC wood, water-based lacquers, low-waste production

  • Brand-perfect finishes: laser engraving, UV print, paint-fill, RAL/Pantone colour matching

  • Any format: desk awards, wall plaques, wall medals, trophy blocks, certificate frames

  • Fully custom: sizes, shapes, stains, inserts, mixed materials (wood + glass/acrylic accents)

  • Personalisation at scale: names, categories & numbering via CSV/Excel import

  • Made in Ireland: fast, reliable lead times and worldwide shipping

Popular styles


  • Solid Oak Block Awards — timeless, weighty, engraved or printed front face

  • Wall Plaques — oak/birch with hidden fixings; ideal for reception or back-bar walls

  • Tiered/Layered Awards — laser-cut face plates for depth, colour and contrast

  • Medals & Wall Medals — wooden medallions with ribbons or wall-mount sets

  • Eco Recognition Sets — plaque + certificate frame + gift box for premium presentation

Finishes & options


  • Natural, smoked, walnut, black or white stains; clear matte/satin lacquer

  • Laser engraving, spot-colour paint-fill, UV full-colour print, metal/acrylic badges

  • Edge profiles (bevel/chamfer/radius), hidden keyhole hangers for plaques


Gift packaging: branded boxes, kraft sleeves, foam fitments

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