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We show that low temperature processing (100–400 °C) of gold nanoplates (GNPs) permanently shifts their resonant wavelength peak from the infrared to visible (860–650 nm) after an hour at 350 °C. The mechanism is melting-induced shape change; as sharp triangular corners become round the smaller effective GNP diameter produces shorter resonant wavelengths. These wavelength shifts are relevant to GNP-driven microelectromechanical systems, where temperatures of 150–350 °C arise during thin film processing. Strategies to accommodate the observed thermal shifts include starting with particles that have a longer resonant wavelength, ensuring that nanoplates are well-dispersed, and using sub-200 °C processing methods.