Cheap alternative for engraving

If your thinking of having engraving done for your attendant gifts, listen up.

I bought my girls nice wooden sewing baskets from Joanne's Crafts, I wanted to put a touch of personalization on them so I had little gold plates with the saying, Thanks SEW much for being a part of our day Shawn & Brenda 5/27/00

I'm from California, so I checked out prices at a place sorta like Spencer's and also at Things Remembered. They wanted from $12 to $35, for each plate. I then checked out a place that does trophies and plaques and they charged me $4.00 per plate. I couldn't believe it. I'm so happy.