Brass is the standard plate metal at MS Belts, and it is included in the price. Cast zinc alloy is the other choice. On catalogue belts it costs $100 more, and on custom belts it is the HD build. The plates are the metal pieces on the front of the belt. Both metals are finished by hand, and both can have 24K real-gold electroplating, which is a thin layer of real gold on the surface. The difference is the metal and how the plate is shaped before the finishing starts.
Brass and cast zinc alloy side by side
| Question | Brass (standard) | Cast zinc alloy |
|---|---|---|
| Price on catalogue belts | Included | +$100 |
| Price of one custom belt | SD $275 (cut and engraved) or CNC $350 (CNC-machined) | HD $550 |
| How the plates are made | Cut and engraved to the design, or CNC-machined for finer detail, then finished by hand | Cast in a mould made for the design, then finished by hand |
| Relief, the height of the design above its background | Standard detail (SD) or finer detail (CNC) | The deepest 3D relief |
| The metal | Dense and hard | Captures deep sculpted relief from a mould and takes plating well |
| Plate thickness | 2 mm included; 3, 4 or 5 mm at +$50 per extra millimetre | The same |
| 24K gold electroplating | Optional, +$20 | Optional, +$20 |
| Consider it if | You want the standard plate, or fine detail in small lettering | You want a display piece or a one-off award with the deepest relief |
These comparisons are general knowledge about the two metals and the two methods. We do not publish belt weights. If you need a figure, ask and we will confirm it in writing for your order.
What are brass plates?
Brass is a dense, hard metal, and it is the standard at MS Belts. In the SD build (standard detail) the brass plates are cut and engraved to the design, then finished and polished by hand. In the CNC build the brass plates are machined on CNC machines, which follow the design precisely and give finer detail, so it suits a logo with small lettering. A catalogue belt has brass plates unless you choose cast zinc alloy.
What are cast zinc alloy plates?
Cast zinc alloy plates are made in a mould. A mould is made for the design, the plates are cast in it, and then they are finished by hand. Casting captures deep, sculpted relief, so the design stands further out from its background, and cast zinc alloy takes plating well. This is the HD build on custom belts. It costs more because of the mould and the hand-finishing, not because the metal is dearer. Some catalogue belts are cast belts. They are always cast in zinc alloy, so their pages offer finish and thickness choices only.
Casting and engraving: what is the difference?
Cutting and engraving start from a flat metal plate and remove metal to leave the design. Casting makes the plate in a mould shaped to the design, so the raised parts are formed as the plate is made and are then finished by hand. Engraving and machining give clean, precise detail. Casting gives the most depth.
What will you notice?
- Depth. Deeper relief casts stronger shadows, so details stand out more from an angle, under stage lights and in photos. The cast HD build has the deepest relief.
- Weight. Weight depends on the metal, the size, the thickness and the depth of the relief together. Brass is dense, so brass plates feel solid for their size. Thicker plates and deeper relief add metal.
- The finish. Plating is a surface layer that can wear with abrasion, which means rubbing. That is true on either metal.
What you will not notice is a different design. Your artwork is the same on either metal. So is the strap.
Is cast zinc alloy better?
Not automatically. Cast zinc alloy gives you the deepest relief. If that is what you want from a belt, that is what the extra cost pays for: the mould and the hand-finishing. If you want a standard plate, brass is a complete belt.
Which should you choose?
- A league or office belt that changes hands: brass in the SD build. It is the standard price and a complete belt.
- A logo with small lettering or fine detail: brass in the CNC build, $350.
- A display piece, a championship title or a one-off award: cast zinc alloy in the HD build, $550.
- A catalogue belt with deep sculpted detail: cast zinc alloy, +$100. Cast belts are always zinc alloy.
- A matched set for several divisions: any build. Five or more belts are 20% off each belt and ten or more are 25% off.
- Not sure: say so when you send your artwork. We will show you what each build changes for your design in the mockup.
How do metal and thickness work together?
Plate thickness is a separate choice from the metal. Plates are 2 mm thick as standard, and 3, 4 or 5 mm add $50 for each extra millimetre on either metal. See plate thickness explained.
How long do they take?
A custom belt takes about 4 weeks from the day you approve the mockup, or 7 days with the express option for an extra $80 per belt. Matched sets of five or more belts usually take 6 to 8 weeks. Most catalogue belts are made in 5 to 6 working days, then delivered in up to 5 working days. These are estimates, not guarantees. If you have a fixed date, tell us before you order and we will confirm the timing in writing.
In short
- Brass is the standard plate metal and is included. Cast zinc alloy is +$100 on catalogue belts and is the HD build on custom belts.
- One custom belt: SD $275 (brass, cut and engraved), CNC $350 (brass, CNC-machined), HD $550 (cast zinc alloy).
- Cast zinc alloy gives the deepest relief. The extra cost is the mould and the hand-finishing, not the metal.
- 24K gold adds $20 on either metal. We do not publish belt weights. Ask and we will confirm the figure in writing for your order.
Next step
Compare the builds in the belt builder, or read what a championship belt costs.
Questions
Which plate metal is standard?
Brass. It is included in the price. On custom belts the SD and CNC builds use brass plates, and the HD build uses zinc alloy plates cast in a mould.
How much does cast zinc alloy cost?
On catalogue belts, cast zinc alloy is +$100. On custom belts it is the HD build, which is $550 for one belt, compared with $275 for SD and $350 for CNC.
What is the difference between casting and engraving?
Engraving cuts the design into a flat metal plate. Casting makes the plate in a mould shaped to the design, which allows the deepest relief. Both are finished by hand.
Is cast zinc alloy heavier than brass?
Not necessarily. Weight depends on the metal, the size, the thickness and the depth of the relief together. Brass is dense, and thicker plates and deeper relief add metal. We do not publish belt weights, so ask and we will confirm a figure in writing for your order.
Can both metals be gold plated?
Yes. 24K gold electroplating adds $20 on either metal. It is a thin layer of real gold on the surface, and the belt is not solid gold.