Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

Aluminum Trim and Nameplates 

Why do we love working with aluminum? 

Let me count the ways...  

I love to watch a blank sheet of aluminum come to life before my eyes as we decorate it.- S. VonRuden, Design
It can look like anything you want it to.  You can decorate it to look like a piece of art. - J. Webber, Design 
There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating aluminum. The natural reflectiveness gives a unique look to each nameplate. - B. Humphrey, Process Engineering
I love the reflectivity of the metal when it is combined with tints of color and mechanical finishes. - R. Schultz, Design
Because it's bright and shiny and fun to play with.  And it's recyclable. - J. Hoerres, Art Department
It's real.  You can tell the difference between imitation and real metal. - D. Roberts, Automotive Trim Sales
It's versatile with a variety of options for decorating and forming including simulating stainless steel. - J. Sullivan, Appliance Trim Sales
I like the way light plays with the surface. - M. Larson, Design
It's versatile and flexible with endless possibilities for patterns.- L. Aspeslet, Gage Customer Service
I like the many different possibilities for decoration. - C. Jensen, Customer Service
I like the authentic look of the material when compared to plastic.- D. Kerska, Program Management  

Do you like working with aluminum?  Tell us why in the comments below.

Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of finishes available for panels, overlays and decorative trim.

Domed Aluminum Finishes

What do you get when you mix small reflective bits of metal finishes with the doming process?  Sometimes the answer can surprise you.  The results are always eye-catching.  The urethane dome which is commonly used on nameplates and emblems creates a natural lens that magnifies the highlights in the metal finishes.  Mechanical finishes add even more movement when seen through the thick layer of lens.

Change the shape.  Change the look.  How would you use these accents?

Enamel White Finishes on Aluminum

Enamel white finishes layered with texture and aluminum details.  Crisp and clean.  Multiple gloss levels.  Sophisticated combinations of detail and metal character.

The Modern mood board is based on the popularity of enamel white finishes.  The video summarizes the inspiration and processes behind the aluminum finishes.  The finishes can be integrated into decorative trim for automotive, appliance and electronic applications.  Request samples to see the subtle effects in the finishes.

Aluminium Trim or Aluminum Trim?

However you spell or say it, aluminium or aluminum, we love it.  Aluminum is the base material for the majority of our finishes used in decorative trim and nameplates.  The first gauges manufactured by Northern Engraving over one hundred years ago used aluminum.  Technology has advanced the options available when decorating and working with aluminum today.

Why do we like aluminum? 

• versatility in decorating - brushing, spinning, printing, anodizing
• flexibility in forming and embossing - complex shapes and multi-level emboss
• functionality - light weight and corrosion resistant substrate
• sustainability - can be recycled endlessly with no degradation

Aluminum or Aluminium Facts:

Atomic Number: 13

Periodic Table Symbol: Al

Note on Naming: Sir Humphry Davy proposed the name aluminum for the metal, however, the name aluminum was adopted to conform with the "ium" ending of most elements. This spelling is in use in most countries including the U.S. until 1925, when the American Chemical Society officially decided to use the name aluminum instead. 

Sources: Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust (8.1%), although it is not found free in nature.

Recycling: Aluminum products can be endlessly remanufactured with only 5% of the energy and emission originally required to produce the virgin product.

Whatever you call aluminum and however you pronounce it, there are many options available to you in aluminum surface design.  You can customize finishes from our library of patterns in color, gloss and scale to meet your design intent.  The patterns can be applied overall or selectively in decorative trim or integrated into nameplates and badges.

Why do you like aluminum?  What type of aluminum finishes do you prefer?

Request samples of aluminum finishes to explore the possibilities available with this versatile substrate.
 

Design Center Tour

The Northern Engraving Design Center is an inspirational resource for patterns and structures on aluminum. Trend presentations and mood boards feature finishes developed around themes. All can be customized or used as is in decorative trim or nameplates. 

Come visit us to explore the possibilities.  Our Design Center video is a preview of some of the things you will see during your visit.

Decorative Metal Ceilings

Aluminum ceiling tiles combine mechanical finishes, printing, coating and forming providing an unlimited pallet of unique patterns, textures and color.  Collaboration behind a custom tile often begins with a concept drawing.  The custom aluminum tile shown here was developed to be an interlocking finish creating a design flowing across the tiles.  Our library of aluminum finishes includes many patterns which are created off of a base element which is repeated.  The aluminum ceiling tiles are a larger version of this process.  Concept drawings explore options in scale, color and overall design prior to committing to prototypes.

The dramatic ceiling manufactured for Gage Corporationfor Foxwoods Casino Resort uses one aluminum ceiling panel to create the interlocking pattern.  It takes advantage of the reflective metal using transparent gold for a shimmering opulent ceiling.

We are surrounded by patterns.  Have you ever stepped back to look for the repeat in a pattern?  What is the base element that makes up the design?  Complicated and intricate designs are often made of the most basic shapes.

What ideas do you have for creating a pattern, large or small, based on a single element?  What processes would you use to translate the pattern to metal?

Trend Presentation

The trend presentation is a series of aluminum finishes developed around themes.  Finishes are presented as mood boards.  The themes are our interpretation of trends based on research and interaction with designers throughout the world in a diverse range of industries including: automotive, electronics, appliance and cosmetics. 

Experimentation 

The video is a summary of the inspiration and processes behind the mood boards.  The theme for this series of aluminum finishes is blurring of boundaries -innovate & create.  Our environments reflect our individual interests; customized works of art reflective of our fantasies and comforts. 

The surfaces and details range from intricate and detailed to patinaed and distressed.  Elements are merged.  Aluminum trend show finishes are offered as inspiration for possibilities on the substrate.  All can be incorporated into metal trim pieces or nameplates for unique looks.  Customization is possible through color, structure or process.

Request a trend presentation disc collection to see a cross section of the finishes shown here.

Snowman and Snowflake Match Box Designs

The winter series of match boxes feature an engine turned detail in the graphics contrasted with a metallic blue background.  The simple process and clean designs effectively come together resulting in an attractive set of match boxes.  Small areas of bright and brushed aluminum are used to accent the designs.  The high gloss silver finish sits in contrast with the low gloss metallic silver creating a subtle tactile quality to the design.  The combination of opaque metallic color and mechanically finished aluminum is an attractive option for adding emphasis without the use of emboss.  It is equally successful whether used in aluminum patterns or nameplates.

What ideas do you have for using engine turn in a design? 

Fine Art Prints on Metal

Joseph Raffael, Sanctuary
screen print/lithograph on aluminum
12 x 33 in. - 30 x 82,5 cm
2004

I'll share one more of Joseph Raffael's lithographs on aluminum here.  All four prints take advantage of the reflective metal surface mirroring the intensity and energy Raffael puts into his watercolors.  Brushing, screen print and lithograph are layered together in the aluminum prints reflecting light and creating movement.

Fine Art Prints on Metal

Joseph Raffael, Passageway
screen print/lithograph on aluminum
33 x 23 in. - 82,5 x 57,5 cm
2004