Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

This series of aluminum finishes translates the distinctive stratification of authentic hand forged Damascus steel onto aluminum trim.  The lost Damascus Steel folding technique in which a sword smith painstakingly stacks and forges layers of steel results in a unique patterning which is easily recognizable.  Traditionally this wood-like grain pattern is known as the water mark.  This patterning has been explored in four unique colorways on aluminum creating dramatically different effects.  All are available to be integrated into aluminum trim or nameplates.

Etched Silver

Stainless Steel

Precious Metals

Anodized Black

Damascus Steel Finish Mood Boards

| Get your SlideShare Playlist

The Damascus steel mood boards bring together intricate and bold variations of these structures.  The manipulated surfaces create controlled randomness.  Engineered imperfection is embraced and celebrated in mixed metal, etched, anodized black and stainless steel effects.

Pattern Development on Aluminum

Constantly working to explore the possibilities of aluminum as a decorative surface, we develop new surfaces to be integrated into decorative trim for automotive and appliance applications.  The finishes can also be applied to consumer electronics or nameplates.  They are the seed, the starting point for your creative exploration of the substrate. 

New Aluminum Finishes

Our latest venture on aluminum explored white-on-white accented with subtle metal details.  Careful layering of crisp whites, creams and ivories add depth to this clean palette.  Waves in water, ripples in sand and patterns of grasses are all inspiration for this airy white theme.  Structures are printed in translucent layers on aluminum contrasting the serene with the authentic metal surface.

White Out Mood Boards

The white finishes are brought together here in two new mood boards.  The mood boards combine aluminum finishes, text and photos to tell a story of soft organic structures.   

Find additional exploration of white finishes on aluminum on the following mood boards.

Pure | Aluminum Finishes
Beautifully sublime patterns and abstract designs with influences from nature.

Modern | Aluminum Finishes
Enamel white finishes layered with texture and aluminum details are cool and calm.

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

Change This... Get That

There are a myriad of options available in creating aluminum finishes.  Consider structure, process and color.  Change one variable and transform the finish.  This article shares a simple exploration in pinstripe finishes on aluminum.  The color, gloss level and process are the same in all four finishes above.  Only the width and spacing of the line is changed.  The results are pinstripe finishes with a different look and feel.  Slight adjustments in the linear structure shift the overall mood of the finish.

Simple adjustments in color and gloss further increase the options available and the resulting effects.  These mood boards are an exploration in the simplicity of a pinstripe finish.  Piano black and brushed aluminum are the base substrates.  The pinstripe finish is printed as a texture adding to the tactile interest of the surface.

Request samples of aluminum finishes to begin exploring the options available to you in creating a custom aluminum finish for your nameplate or aluminum trim.

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.

Red Aluminum Finishes

The power drama and emotion of red is explored in this series of aluminum finishes.  Red is associated with energy and strength as well as passion and desire.  Red draws attention.  Opaque and transparent red is printed on mechanical finishes creating dramatic surfaces on aluminum.  Selective gloss and printed texture add to the depth of the finishes.

Red finishes on aluminum trim can be used as small accents, almost like you would add jewelry to an outfit.  Or they can be used as bold focal points.  The natural reflective character of the aluminum maximizes the impact.

The inspiRED mood boards cover a wide variety of types of structures including: organic, technical, ornamental and mechanical.  The common theme is the vivid candy apple red.

All of the red finishes have been printed in a variety of other colors ranging from black or white to bronze or gun metal grey.  It is always interesting to see how the shift in color affects the finish.  See for yourself how several of the red finishes translate into completely different looks when printed in other colors.  

• Tattoo - piano black with low gloss patterning
• Shibori- layered transparent grey and selective brushing
• Gradations of Color - bronze and copper
• Patina - cool gun metal colors
• Custom Linear Finish - white on white
• Shape Shifting Texture- transparent aqua fading to grey

What finish or pattern would you like to see translated in red?  What product would you add red trim to?

Request samples of these finishes to see the variety of possibilities available to you in this dramatic powerful series of aluminum finishes.

Organic Finishes on Aluminum

Blend polar extremes.  Balance is found between modernity and gathered natural references.  Ancient crafts and advanced technology combine.

The Origin mood board includes organic structures based on the familiar colors and structures in woodgrains.  The video summarizes the inspiration and processes behind the woodgrain-like 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 woodgrain-like finishes.

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.

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.

Decorative Metal Trim

Jewel-like surfaces transformed through the use of mechanical finishes and transparent gold are inspired by our latest trend presentation. Used overall or as an accent they have a futuristic high-tech shimmer. 

Unique brushing and texture in the metal are two of the treatments used in creating the fluid light reflective pieces and a streamlined aesthetic. Forming further highlights the shiny metal.

The attention grabbing finishes could be appropriate integrated into an accent area on a nameplate.  They might be used as an insert to add glitz to a product.  How would you use these types of surfaces? 

Color Fades on Aluminum

Aluminum finishes are transformed by gradations of color traveling across the surface of the metal.  Used as a subtle background or integrated into a pattern, the shifts in color highlight the metal character of the finishes.  The theme has been popular when used before and is explored further here.

The dots in this surface shift from dark blue to light blue to silver as they travel across the surface of the trim.  The low gloss black backgrounds sits in high contrast to the reflective metal dots.

The organic purple line structure interacts with a fade of purple colors in the background of this surface creating both low contrast and high contrast finishes as the fade of color evolves. 

A simple pinstripe texture is transformed when combined with the subtle gradation of brown and tan colors in this finish.

Just as the green color shifts in the background of this finish, the low gloss texture evolves as it travels across the part.  The positive dots morph into squares and then again in to negative dots.

The finishes are combined into a series of surfaces focusing on color integrated into aluminum trim.  Mood boards feature this exploration of the use of gradations of color on aluminum surfaces.

What other structures would you combine with gradations of color?  Do you prefer a high contrast finish or low?  What type of product might have this type of finish integrated into the trim?