The most common question we receive from new clients is not about fonts or layouts. It is about material. Brass or slate? Wood or glass? The answer depends on three things: where the piece will live, how often it will be handled, and how long it needs to last without maintenance. This guide works through each material honestly.

Brass: for pieces that will be touched

Naval brass is the right choice when the piece will be handled regularly. A pocket watch, a hip flask, a door plate that people press every day. Brass develops a patina with handling, which most clients find desirable. The cut line remains crisp for decades. We use CuZn30 naval brass rather than standard yellow brass because it holds a finer line and resists the coastal humidity common in Porto and Lisbon. The one limitation: brass is not suitable for food contact surfaces.

Slate: for pieces that will be seen rather than touched

Valongo slate is the material we recommend for display pieces, garden markers, tasting boards, and anything that will spend time outdoors. The fine grain of Valongo slate allows for narrow, clean cuts that would chip in a coarser stone. Sealed with food-safe mineral oil, it is suitable for cheese boards and tasting slates. For outdoor use, the sealant needs reapplying once a year. Slate does not suit pieces that will be handled roughly or carried in a pocket.

Hardwood: for warmth and longevity

Portuguese oak and reclaimed chestnut are the woods we use most often. Wood suits pieces that will be displayed indoors: a keepsake tray, a typographic panel, a memorial marker in a sheltered garden. The grain of the wood becomes part of the composition, which means no two pieces are identical even when the text is the same. Finished with cold-pressed beeswax, a wooden piece requires almost no maintenance beyond an annual reapplication of wax.

Glass: for typographic display pieces

Borosilicate glass is the most demanding material we work with and the one that produces the most striking results for typographic compositions. The sandblast-engraved line in glass has a frosted quality that catches light differently depending on the time of day. We use 3 mm borosilicate rather than standard float glass because it is harder and holds a cleaner edge. Glass pieces are intended for framing or display; they are not suitable for outdoor use or regular handling.

Cork: a Portuguese option worth considering

Cork oak veneer is the newest material in our range, added in late 2025 after four months of testing. It is lightweight, naturally water-resistant, and takes a laser-engraved line with a warm, toasted edge that no other material replicates. It is particularly suited to wine labels, gift tags, and small decorative panels. It is not suitable for pieces that will be handled roughly or exposed to direct heat.

If you are still uncertain after reading this, write to us. Describe the piece, where it will live, and who it is for. We will recommend a material and explain why. There is no obligation at that stage.