Engraving of Tributes on Bronze Bells
The Verdin Company™ is a world-renowned, sixth generation family-owned manufacturer of cast bronze bells since 1842. Acsent has been engraving inscriptions and graphics on Verdin’s Bells for 25 years.
Bronze bells awaiting engraving
The creation and casting of a bronze bell is a fascinating process. The casting process takes tremendous ingenuity, experience and skill and is a technique that Verdin has perfected over it’s 175 year history. There are “how it’s made” videos of the creation of a bronze bell all over the internet and especially on Verdin’s own website. Acsent’s engraving on the bells is a small part of the overall process and naturally takes place after the bells have been cast, finished and polished.
The method of engraving graphics on bronze is much the same as engraving on stone, glass, brick, concrete or any other material. The overall method is the same, however due to the unique nature of bronze metal, there are slight changes in the materials used and techniques employed.
The Bronze Bell Design and Engraving Process with Verdin:
The process begins when Verdin creates the designs to be engraved. Verdin sales people work with their clients to determine what information or graphics are desired to be engraved on the bell. Verdin’s art department then translates the information into a computer-generated graphic design. The design is then approved by clients and sent to Acsent along with the bell.
Applying paint to the bell inscription
Acsent’s design department converts the art with our production software and sandblast masks are prepared to be used in the engraving process. Sandblast masking is thick rubber material that resists sandblasting and the design is cut into the mask using a computer plotter. The shop layout craftsman glue the mask to the bell and remove from the mask the areas to be blasted. Skilled technicians sandblast the exposed graphics until the bronze has been etched to the proper depth. The masking material, sandblast abrasive and blasting pressure are similar to those used to engrave granite. Finally, the inscription is painted and the bell cleaned.
The variety and complexity of the engraving over the years has been quite extensive. From organizational logos to long lists of names, bible verses and tributes from the heart. The commemorative engraving on the bell makes it very special and personal, and very meaningful to those involved.
Acsent is very proud of it’s long relationship with Verdin. We hope to have many more years of this tremendous working partnership with such an outstanding and highly respected organization.
Many of the bells we have engraved for Verdin are showcased in churches, buildings and landscapes all over the country. Pictures of some of these bells, such as the Honor Bell and the Loyola University bells, can be seen on Verdin’s website. A partial list of Verdin Bells that we have engraved over the years include:
- 2011 Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, Las Vegas, NV (46 Bells Total)
- 2019 St Luke’s UMC, Oklahoma City, (7′-0″ Diameter, 14,000 lbs., 175 Names Engraved)
- 2016 International Association of Fire Fighter’s, Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2005 East Tenneesee State University Carillon, Johnson City, TN (26 Bells Total)
- 2017 Mahanay Memorial Tower, Jefferson, IA (15 Bells Total)
- 2003 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Private Bahama Island “L’île d’Anges”
- 2016 Honor Bell Foundation, Denver, CO
- 2012 World Choir Games, Cincinnati, OH
- 2005 San Luis Obisopo Mission, CA
- 2003 Dearborn County, IN Bicenntenial
- 2014 Loyola University, Chicago, IL
- 2011 Messiah Lutheran, Plano, Texas
- 2016 St Jude Catholic Church, Frederickburg, VA 2010 Visitation Church, Elmhurst, IL
- 2005 Pope John Paul II Tribute
- 2018 5 Star Chili Restaurant, Lemitar, NM
- 2008 Santa Fe Cathedral Basilica, NM
- 2013 St Mary’s of the Valley, Monroe, WA
- 2009 University of Georgia Bulldogs
- 2019 Missouri Veteran’s Memorial
- 2003 City of Lawrenceburg, IN
- 2008 St. Mary Catholic Church, Ontario, Canada 2010 St. John Church, Iola, KS
- 2011 Johnson State College, Johnson, VT
- 2019 Heath High School, Heath, OH
- 2007 The Bellfry, Lexington, VA
- 2007 Deer Park High School, Cincinnati, OH 2010 Pierce College, Los Angeles, CA
- 2008 Ridgefield Academy, Ridgefield, CT 2016 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
- 2012 Arizona State University
- 2007 St Joseph Monastery, Tulsa, OK
- 2009 City of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
- 2016 Pollard-McCall Jr. High, Brewton, AL
- 2019 Milford High School, Cincinnati, OH
- 2011 Philadelphia Symphony, Phil., PA
- 2007 Gaston Day School, Gastonia, NC
- 2018 St. Bernard Acaqdemy, Nashville, TN
- 2014 Circleville City Schools, Circleville, OH
- 2018 St. Richard’s Episcopal, Indianapolis, IN
- 2008 Prospect United Methodist, Ebony, VA
- 2009 US Marine Corps Air Station New River
- 2018 Sherpa Coaching, Cincinnati, OH
- 2020 Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- 2010 Reiley Elementary School, Alexandria, KY
- 2014 Bethel Tate High School, Bethel, OH 2015 Shaun Foist, Drummer
- 2015 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church 2015 City of Montgomery, OH
- 2006 Maribelle’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH
- 2006 Purple People Bridge Climb, Newport, KY
- 2016 Welcome Home Soldier Memorial, Iowa
- 2009 Amelia High School, Cincinnati, OH
- 2008 Good Shepherd Church, Covington, GA
- 2010 Tom Bean High School, Tom Bean, TX
- 2021 St. John Vianney, Belgrade, MT
- 2004 St. Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas
- 2009 Mariemont High School, Cincinnati, OH
- 2016 Holy Name Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
- 2019 Our Lady of Good Success, Dickinson, ND
- 2012 Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach, CA
- 2021 Ocean View Community Church, Leonardo, NJ
- 2011 Kent State University, OH, Starner Victory Bell
- 2010 All Saints Catholic Church, Manassas, VA
- 2021 St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Springfield, VA
- 2006 John Handley High School, Winchester, VA
- 2016 Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho, NM
- 2010 Kemper Military School, Boonville, MS
- 2021 St John Eritrean Orthodox, Indianapolis, IN
- 2010 Locust Hill Baptist Church, Midland, GA
- 2019 Allensville Volunteer Fire, Roxboro, NC
- 2015 Sandhills St. Veterans Cem., Spring Lake, NC
- 2015 Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH
- 2004 Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Washinton, MO
- 2020 1st United Methodist Church, Warren, PA
- 2012 Turpin High School, Cincinnati, OH
- 2013 Holy Dormition Orthodox Ch, Santa Rosa, CA
- 2012 St. Bridget’s Parish, Throop, PA
- 2013 William & Mary College, Williamsburg, VA
- 2007 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, IN
- 2011 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- 2006 Christ Episcopal Church, Valdosta, GA
- 2001 St. Joseph on Rio Grande, Albuquerque, NM
- 2018 Chapel of the Good Shepherd Chautauqua, NY
- 2011 Madison Coal & Supply Co., Charleston, WV
- 2017 Strathcona-Tweedsmuir Sch. Alberta, Canada
- 2015 The Chestnut Hill School, Chestnut Hill, MA
- 2007 Schoenstott Sisters of Mary, Waukesha, WI
- 2020 Truro Twp. Fire & Reynoldsburg OH Police
- 2005 Wesleyan Univ., Middletown, CT (8 Bells)
- 2016 St Pius X Cath. Church, Granger, IN (4 Bells)
- 2002 All Saints Catholic Church (3 Bells)
- 2016 Rees Carillon Society, Springfield, IL
- 2010 Visitation Church, Elmhurst, IL
