PROTO-UNIQUE
Hand-crafted & Hand-painted- 3D Decorative Regimental mess shields, Presentation pieces & Custom wall art.
Established in 2020, PROTO-UNIQUE is a small independent business specialising in the design and production of hand-crafted, hand-painted 3D Regimental Mess Shields, custom designed shields, presentation pieces, and bespoke decorative wall art.
The business began producing polymer plaster football club wall plaques, since then a growing demand from veterans and serving personnel for high-quality, personalised regimental shields inspired a new direction. These early commissions led to the creation of our signature bespoke Regimental Mess Shields, which have since become our most iconic and sought-after products.
Today, a large part of our work focuses on custom designs, including new regiments, replacement shields, and one-off bespoke pieces. Each shield is crafted to be unique, meaningful, and enduring, celebrating the pride, heritage, and service of the regiment it represents.
We proudly produce pieces for a wide range of regiments and batteries across the British Army and other armed forces worldwide, creating regimental items and presentation shields for both serving personnel and veterans, reflecting the growing appreciation for hand-crafted, personalised regimental art.
What Makes Proto-Unique Different
At Proto-Unique, we handle the entire design and production process in-house, from initial concept to the finished piece. Every shield begins as a computer-aided design (CAD), allowing us to create precise, detailed layouts and ensure all proportions, colours, and design elements are perfect.
From the CAD, we produce a mock-up design for customer approval, giving the opportunity to make adjustments before production begins. This ensures that every shield is exactly as envisioned, with every detail refined to perfection.
By controlling the full process, we deliver a truly bespoke service, providing customers with confidence, precision, and high-quality craftsmanship in every piece we create.
Accuracy, Colour Matching & Finish
A key part of producing regimental and insignia pieces is accurate colour matching. We take great care to match original regimental colour schemes, insignia colours, and heraldic designs as closely as possible. Using modern paint colour matching techniques and careful colour mixing, we build colours to match original designs and reference material as accurately as possible.
All painted parts are colour checked and tested under different lighting conditions, including natural light, indoor lighting, and display lighting, ensuring the finished shield looks correct and consistent in any setting.
Using modern 3D printing techniques, each shield is produced and prepared for finishing. All parts are then carefully hand-painted before final assembly, ensuring a high-quality finish and attention to detail. Each piece is then assembled by hand, making every shield completely unique.
Our Reputation
As a small independent business, we take great pride in our work, our attention to detail, and the level of customer service we provide. Since starting in 2020, we have built a strong and loyal customer base, with many customers returning to order additional shields and custom pieces.
Our reputation has been built on quality craftsmanship, reliability, and personal service, and we believe that working closely with our customers is an important part of creating pieces that are meaningful, accurate, and built to last.
We are not a mass-production company — every item we produce is hand-crafted, hand-painted, bespoke, and made to order. We believe that this shows in the quality, character, and individuality of each piece we create.
Whether you are looking for a regimental piece, a presentation gift, a memorial piece, or a completely custom design, we are happy to work with you to create something unique and personal.
What We Offer
Hand-crafted pieces
Hand-painted finishes
3D decorative designs
Bespoke and made to order items
Presentation pieces
Custom and one-off designs
Worldwide shipping
To view our collection or to discuss a custom design, please contact us directly.
Email: info@proto-unique.com
WhatsApp: 07821 242548
Screenshot of a typical mock-up design sent out to the customer for approval, prior to starting the production stages.