CORTEN

Rust is not a flaw. It is its identity.

The material

A steel that is not afraid to rust.

CorTen is a steel with one particular trait: the rust that forms on its surface is not just a matter of looks, it helps protect it from corrosion.

The oxide patina develops naturally as the steel is exposed to the weather, and becomes part of the material itself.

Over time the colour moves from the initial grey to ever warmer shades, from copper to orange and on to a deep brown. Every surface changes in its own way, so each piece is unique, with a character that keeps evolving.

How we work it

From design to finished piece, in three steps.

  1. 01

    The drawing

    We start from a text, a logo or an idea of yours and turn it into a vector drawing ready for LASER cutting. We work out every detail, adding small bridges where needed to hold the inner parts of letters and shapes in place.

  2. 02

    LASER cutting

    We use a fibre LASER to cut the sheet with great precision, reproducing complex shapes and fine details as well. Every element follows the original drawing, with clean, sharp edges even in the most intricate geometries.

  3. 03

    The patina

    You can choose to receive the CorTen already rusted, with its characteristic rust-coloured finish, or in its natural state. In that case the patina will build up gradually after installation, changing the colours and shades of the surface over time.

From simple cut-through designs to solutions with contrast panels and LED lighting.

Cut-through openwork

Letters and designs are cut straight into the sheet, letting the wall or the space behind show through.

LED backlighting

A rear frame holds the LED lighting, creating a glow that brings out the cut-through letters and designs.

Contrast panel

A panel fitted behind the sheet makes the cut-out stand out, adding colour, contrast and new ways to personalise it.

Some of the things we have made

Compass rose cut through a rusted CorTen plaque CorTen plaque with cut-through logo and name, fixed to the wall with brass spacers Script lettering and a flower cut through a rusted CorTen sheet Small CorTen plaque with the property's name cut through Backlit CorTen company sign at night, on a stone wall CorTen plaque in the early stages of oxidation, with cut-through lettering and rule Grey CorTen plaque on the LASER bed, just cut CorTen plaque with a mountain outline and name cut through CorTen apartment plaque with brass spacers Rusted CorTen plaque with tall letters and a rule with a diamond CorTen plaque with cut-through script lettering, fixed to a wall Long CorTen sign with cut-through geometric patterns, on a stone wall Grey CorTen house number plaque on the LASER bed Backlit CorTen sign at night, with cut-through lettering and ornaments CorTen company sign by day, with cut-through logo and lettering CorTen plaque with a cut-through monogram Rusted CorTen plaque with cut-through calligraphic lettering CorTen apartment plaque held in a hand Close-up of a flower cut through a rusted CorTen sheet Grey CorTen plaque with a phone icon and grids of holes, on the LASER bed Close-up of script letters cut through rusted CorTen Compass rose cut through CorTen, seen from the side Close-up of a logo and lettering cut through a CorTen plaque Decorative CorTen bird just cut, on the LASER bed The LASER head cutting a CorTen sheet, among the sparks Letters just LASER-cut in a grey CorTen sheet Lettering and scrolls cut through a rusted CorTen sign Close-up of a backlit CorTen company sign at night Grey CorTen sheet just cut on the LASER bed Script lettering cut through CorTen with a white contrast panel Close-up of a geometric pattern cut through a CorTen sign Large letters cut through a CorTen sign, seen at an angle Rusted CorTen plaque held up outdoors Letters cut through rusted CorTen, with a rule and a diamond Close-up of a flower and letters cut through rusted CorTen Cut-through letters of a CorTen apartment plaque, seen at an angle Grey CorTen plaque with grids of holes, seen at an angle on the LASER bed Close-up of the CorTen patina around the cut-through lettering Script lettering cut through a rusted CorTen plaque

Not just plaques

CorTen lends itself to much more than a simple plaque. We make bespoke signage, panels and installations for parks, trails, villages, shops and hospitality businesses. And when a project calls for something different, we develop it together, from the idea to the finished piece.

  • Totems and panels

    Information panels, maps and totems that showcase places, routes and points of interest.

  • Direction signs

    Signage that guides visitors along trails, tourist routes and through public spaces.

  • Signs and installations

    Custom signs, decorative elements and bespoke structures for businesses and public spaces.

  • QR codes and digital content

    QR codes that link the signs to maps, audio guides and dedicated information pages.

Tell us about your project Tell us about your project

New or already rusted?

New

The CorTen comes unoxidised, in its characteristic metallic grey. Once installed outdoors, it will naturally develop its rust-coloured patina over a few weeks.

CorTen plaque just LASER-cut, still metallic grey

Already rusted

Would you rather receive it already rusted? We can take care of the oxidation before shipping, so the CorTen arrives with its characteristic patina. This adds about 1–2 weeks.

The same plaque already rusted, with its rust-coloured patina
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for a plaque or a sign made to measure