Colored substrate for veneering?

[Perry Holbrook]

I'm looking for a material that I can use to v-carve on and shape the edges for a plaque. I want to put veneer on both sides. I'm thinking a black core maybe 1/2" to 5/8" thick with a figured veneer on each side.

So when I carve thru the veneer and shape the edges the black is exposed. This will be a production item, so I have no interest in taking the time to color the exposed core after cutting.

Anyone know of such a product?

Thanks,
Perry

[Jamie Buxton]

I've built signs from a redwood core veneered with maple. Carving letters into it reveals the contrasting-color core. It works very well. Particularly with time, oiled redwood gets rather dark. For an all-black core in wood, you'd have to go to wenge or ebony. They're expensive, and not easy to carve with hand tools. You might try out woods that aren't black, but are still dark -- redwood, walnut, or the like.

Another possibility is colored MDF. I've seen it described in news releases, but never worked with it. Google with "colored MDF" to find out more.

[Chris Padilla]

I wonder if you can veneer wood to Corian?

[Walter Plummer]

Maybe this? They laminate photos to it. May be possible to veneer it.
http://www.interstateplastics.com/Black-Expanded-Pvc-Sheet-PVCBX.php

[Jamie Buxton]

Or black foam-core -- http://www.artsupply.com/brand/foamcore.htm . Ordinary wood glue will adhere veneer to the paper face.

The polystyrene core isn't very durable against dings and such, so this would only be good for products that aren't going to be touched, like signs.

[Perry Holbrook]

Thanks. I like the MDF idea best, looks like availability is not the greatest, but I'll give it a shot.

Perry