Vondra Engraving

I’m actually surprised to see that nobody has reviewed Vondra Engraving before. They’ve been in business for over 50 years and do consistently superb work that most Madisonians will have seen around town and campus without even knowing it. Have you ever read the signage in locations like Monona Terrace, Washuburn Observatory, or Peace Park? Then you know their work.
In my professional life I’ve worked with Vondra annually for the last four years. We grant a total of nine graduate/​instructor awards each year, which means we order both individual award plaques for each recipient and a brass nameplate for those multi-​year award plaques that are kept onsite. I’m that go-​to gal who makes projects like this happen. Every year I’ve worked primarily with Shane and Jeff to set up and execute our orders, but every person I’ve spoken with has been extremely helpful and always pleasant. The love what they do. This is one of my favorite bonuses when working with long standing small family businesses.
The service we receive from Vondra is exceptional. As many office dwellers know, it’s not unusual to run into snags with larger orders like this. We’ve only had two in the years I’ve been working with them. Shane and Jeff stepped up in both cases and made it right without hesitation. When we realized one order had slipped through the cracks with less than a week to get it done they rushed it and had the whole order delivered to us in two business days. I’d offered to come pick it up as usual, but Jeff ran it over to our office himself. Last year one of the plaques was accidentally scratched before we received them and they had to order a plate to remake it. They called me immediately to let me know and gave us the scratched plaque to use for the ceremony. We had a replacement for the recipient in-​hand the following week.
We’ve only gone through Vondra for engraved plates/​plaques, but they’ll also do signs (and installation), laser engraving, metal engraving, wood engraving, glass etching, graphic design & layout services. The program I work with has been relying on Vondra for many more years than I’ve been in the role, and it’s clear why. Professionally speaking, they can’t be beat. While I haven’t had a need to go through them for any personal jobs, I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else if I needed their services for an engraved or etched gift.