Design Guide · Name Boards
Wooden Name Board Designs: 10 Ideas, Best Materials and Sizes
A name board is the first thing visitors see at your door, so it should look good and survive sun and rain for years. Wood gives it warmth; the right board and finish decide how long it lasts. Here are ten wooden name board designs, the best materials for indoor and outdoor boards, common sizes and letter options, and the board rates at our Lati Bazar store.
10 Wooden Name Board Designs
1
Teak board with brass letters
The classic nameplate: polished teak with raised brass or steel letters.
2
Veneer on BWP plywood
Teak or walnut veneer on 12 mm marine plywood with a PU finish.
3
CNC-engraved name
Letters and a motif cut into the board, filled with colour or left natural.
4
Backlit name board
Acrylic or steel letters standing off the board with a warm LED halo.
5
Two-tone board
A dark wood base with a light panel, or wood with a stone-look strip.
6
Slatted board
Horizontal wooden slats with metal letters for a modern entrance.
7
Name board with a small shelf
A ledge for a diya, plant or bell by the main door.
8
Om, swastik or Ganesha motif
A small traditional symbol above the family name.
9
Painted MDF board (indoor)
Colourful, smooth boards for kids' rooms and interiors.
10
WPC board (outdoor)
Waterproof and termite-proof for exposed gates and balconies.
Best Materials for Name Boards
Board rates at our Lati Bazar store, GST extra. A name board uses only a small piece, so offcuts often work.
| Material | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Solid teak | From ₹2,200 / cft (Ghana) | Premium main-door nameplates; seal every face |
| 12 mm marine BWP plywood + veneer | ₹86 / sq ft + veneer | Covered entrances; PU polish all faces |
| 12 mm WPC board | ₹99 / sq ft | Exposed gates and balconies; waterproof |
| MDF | From ₹37.84 / sq ft (11 mm) | Indoor only; painted designs |
Offcut ideas: plywood scrap reuse. Rates: teak · WPC board · plywood.
Sizes and Lettering
Common sizes are 12 × 8 in and 18 × 12 in for flats, and 24 × 12 in or larger for bungalow gates. Keep letters at least 1.5–2 inches high so they can be read from the gate. Brass and stainless steel letters last longest outdoors; acrylic suits covered entrances; CNC engraving gives a clean carved look. Fix the board at about eye level, roughly 5 ft to the centre.
Making It Last Outdoors
Choose WPC or BWP plywood, not MR plywood or MDF; seal all faces and edges with a weather-resistant PU or exterior polish; use stainless screws; leave a small gap behind the board so water does not collect; and keep it under a canopy if possible. Re-polish wood every year or two. For main doors to match, see teak wood door designs and best wood for main door.
Samta Plywood Centre at Lati Bazar, near Gita Mandir, stocks teak, marine plywood, veneers and WPC board, with CNC cutting on MDF. WhatsApp us your name board size and design idea for material options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wood is best for a name board?
Teak for a premium, long-lasting outdoor nameplate. For a budget option, 12 mm marine plywood with veneer and PU polish, or WPC board for fully exposed spots.
What is the standard size of a name board?
About 12 x 8 inches or 18 x 12 inches for flats and 24 x 12 inches or larger for bungalow gates.
Which material is best for an outdoor name board?
WPC board or teak, or marine BWP plywood sealed on all faces. Avoid MR plywood and MDF outdoors.
Which letters last longest on a name board?
Brass or stainless steel letters. Acrylic letters suit covered entrances.
How do I protect a wooden name board from rain?
Seal all faces and edges with an exterior PU finish, use stainless screws, leave a gap behind it and re-polish every year or two.
Can MDF be used for a name board?
Only indoors, for painted designs. Outdoors it swells with moisture.
At what height should a name board be fixed?
Around eye level, roughly 5 ft to the centre of the board.
Making a Name Board?
WhatsApp us your size and design idea for material options.