Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

Geometric Finishes

This short video features some of our most popular technical finishes on aluminum.  This series incorporates small scale geometric structures into their design.  Brushing and printed texture add to the depth of the finishes.  The reflective metal surface adds natural highlights and shadows when applied to contours and forms.  The structures are available as an overall surface or to be applied selectively.  Bright or brushed aluminum accents combine with the patterns to further enhance the overall look.  Customization options include color, scale and process.

How would you use these types of finishes in the background of a nameplate or emblem?  What types of product applications come to mind for trim decorated with these finishes?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Request a disc collection to begin exploring the options available to you in aluminum surface design.

The Story Starts with the Finish was the title of our presentation at the IDSA Midwest District Conference this past weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The presentation was part of the IDSA Materials and Processes Section's efforts to share information on materials and processes used in product design.  The title was a tie in to the fact that everything Northern Engraving manufactures, from nameplates and badges to appliance and automotive trim, begins with the printing of the finish.  We will feature aspects of the presentation in an upcoming webinar and in articles on the Surfaces on Aluminum Blog.  This short video highlights the finishes featured in the portion of the presentation where we shared the story behind the development of aluminum finishes featured in our trend presentation.

The conference featured a great line up of presenters including:  Ziba Design; HP Design Director, Sam Lucente; Laga Brand Image VP, Mark Dziersk; Fiskars; Radio Flyer; Milwaukee Tool; Harley-Davidson; and Chuck Pelly, founder of Designworks.  Enthusiasm and energy were high as the event took place across multiple locations including: MIAD, the Eisner Museum and the Harley-Davidson Museum.  The Harley-Davidson closing event was fantastic as expected, complete with loud music and motorcycles.

IDSA has two more district conferences in the next two weeks: this Friday-Sunday in Denver, and next Friday-Sunday in Grand Rapids, MI.  Both conferences provide valuable opportunities for dialogue with fellow design colleagues. 

This aluminum finish from our trend presentation takes inspiration from shibori, the famous "shape resist dyed" cloth of Japan which is akin to tie-dyeing.  We focused on dark near black colors and layered offset lithography with selective gloss to create an aluminum pattern with depth and movement.  This finish is created on recycled aluminum and is one example of what can be done with this substrate. 

The large scale finish compliments larger aluminum trim pieces.  In addition, detailed areas can be selected for use in small inserts or appliqués.  Transparent inks and selective gloss work together to create an interactive finish that "flips" changing appearance depending your angle of view. 

There are many different knots and ties used to create different  shibori patterns on fabric.  The technique can be used to make striking and detailed images.  These images can then be interpreted with endless possibilities on to aluminum.  Using a resist or mask to protect areas of the aluminum while brushing a pattern into the metal is one option for creating a unique metal surface.  Layering offset lithography and brushing adds further depth.  Dramatically different effects can be achieved by altering the size of the image. 

I could see this finish printed in an earthy copper color or for a very different effect a vibrant red.  What color would you like to see this pattern in?  What application do you see for a surface like this?  Request a sample of this unique aluminum finish to see our interpretation of the traditional Japanese shibori design.

Decorative Metal Trim

Recently we featured finishes from the second half of our trend presentation in our email newsletter.  One of our theme or mood boards, Invincible, was of particular interest to many who received the aluminum surface update.  This article features the slideshow covering our Invincible mood board.

The trend presentation is a series of seven mood boards developed around themes.  The first three themes focus on new mechanical finishes.  The remaining four themes focus on the use of mechanical process, color and texture to create finishes which are our interpretation of trends in the market.  All of the finishes are meant to be inspirational, a starting point for creating a surface for your trim or nameplate application. 

The presentation has been well received by designers in industries ranging from automotive and appliance to cosmetics and electronics. 

Invincible | Aluminum Finishes Mood Board

Surfaces take a technological approach combining mechanical finishes, electronically manipulated designs, layering of processes and multiple gloss levels.  Images focus on the man-made theme and are all the result of human endeavor whether special effects created electronically or taking inspiration from shibori.

Would you like to see these finishes and the rest of our trend presentation?  Contact us to receive samples of some of the finishes or request a presentation of all the aluminum finishes.

Knurled Patterns

Knurled finishes on aluminum are one of our most popular metal finishes.  Knurling is a visually attractive diamond shaped pattern cut or rolled into metal.  This pattern allows you to get a better grip on the knurled object than would be provided by the original smooth metal surface. 

Many designers have looked to knurled surfaces for inspiration when creating patterns for aluminum trim or nameplates.  The pattern is a familiar industrial surface with a look of precision and detail.

The crisp diamond effect on actual knurled metal is duplicated in knurled aluminum finishes.  The decorative finishes are achieved through a combination of selective brushing and printing.  A texture is printed on the metal to mimic the texture of knurled metal.  The theme can be varied by changing the contrast or the scale of the pattern.

We have integrated the knurled finish into our aluminum match box covers.  The finish is complemented with printed borders and a low gloss brushed aluminum surface.  The logo is embossed and features phalynx diamond cut graphics.  The fine diamond shape in the diamond cut logo repeats the diamond theme in the knurled finish. 

The knurled aluminum surface makes this flat nameplate stand out.  The pattern has a texture which contrasts with the bright aluminum border and the matte aluminum background in the center of the nameplate.

I think knurled finishes on aluminum are most successful when applied selectively and accented with other aluminum finishes.  The knurled effect would also make an attractive trim piece.  How can you see these finishes used?

Eco-Friendly Aluminum Trim

Many of our new finishes have been created on aluminum made from 99% recycled aluminum of which 80% of the scrap is from post consumer sources.  The new finishes on recycled aluminum are aesthetically pleasing environmentally friendly options for trim and nameplates.   

It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to work with raw materials.  Eco-awareness is far more than a trend.  It is a primary focus today.  Aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal.  Two-thirds of the aluminum ever produced is in use today.

This series of recycled aluminum finishes takes a more technical approach to the use of patterns.  Fine geometrics structures are screen printed onto brushed aluminum creating subtle texture.  Low gloss texture is contrasted against a high gloss brushed aluminum for one effect while a low gloss texture on a low gloss brushed surface creates a completely different almost etched effect.  All have the look of precision and fine detail.  All take advantage of the natural reflective qualities and color of aluminum to create finishes with the look of high quality and performance.

The recycled aluminum is available in a mill finish surface which can be brushed and decorated using litho printing, screen printing and roller coating.  The aluminum can be embossed and formed for use in nameplates and decorative trim pieces.

This is only one series of finishes on recycled aluminum.  They might be incorporated into a nameplate or used in decorative trim.  What other finishes would you like to see developed on recycled aluminum?

One series of mechanical finishes with gradations of color has always peaked the interest of most that see it.  This series has a deep transparent blue tint.  Mechanical finishes are applied selectively with hard lines contrasting the soft fade of color. 

The consistent interest in these finishes had me thinking about what else could be done with gradations of color.  I like to let an idea percolate in my mind for a bit when working on new finishes.  My interactions during this time, often unrelated, inspire a new direction.  This cross-pollinization is exactly what happened.  Driving to work, I often have the pleasure of watching the sunrise and the colorful morning sky.  There it was in front of me - a fade from one color to another and another.  Each morning was a new palette of possibilities.

We started this finish by layering transparent tints of color.  We settled on a color scheme and layered this with a custom printed texture which also changed as it moved across the aluminum trim piece.  The texture has a crackled effect but could have been a pinstripe or dot pattern or anything else.  The texture provides a slight gloss change from the background finish.

Substituting in different colors gave us very different looks.  I think I see further development here... oh the possibilities.  What if we shortened the distance the fade is occurring over... or layered this with an opaque pattern?  I think I see another series on the horizon.  What do you see?  Want to see for yourself this gradation of color on aluminum?

Whether inspired by vintage lace or hand embroidered satin, lace and floral prints on aluminum are an unexpected use of the material.  Delicate fabrics, soft femininity and floral patterns are in high contrast to the cold metal surface of aluminum.

The possibilities are many when printing surfaces on aluminum.  From elegantly simple and intricately detailed to gentle softness and shiny glitz, the versatility of aluminum allows these surfaces to be reinterpreted into unique metal patterns for a nameplate or a metal trim piece.

Selectively brushing the aluminum finish adds movement to the surface and can be made more intense through layering gradations of color and texture.  The finish takes on a completely different look when a transparent red tint of color is added.  The ornate pattern is appropriate for accent areas.  The addition of a urethane dome creates a jeweled look.  

The simple contrast of matte black against brushed aluminum creates a dramatic look, while, the subtle contrast of a high gloss texture on matte black is used for a delicate tone on tone effect.

A soft touch topcoat over a transparent gold tint and black lace detailing creates a metal surface with an unexpected touch.  The same finish takes on an entirely different effect in white on white.  The printed lace effects can be customized in color, gloss or scale.  The colors, contrast and process make the lace and floral effects on aluminum subtle or bold. 

What products could you see these types of surfaces applied to?  What finishes would you combine with the lace effects for an accent?