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Commercial appliances are tools of the trade in the restaurant business. The longevity of the product is very important, and so is the branding. Much like the logo on a vehicle, the nameplate on commercial appliances need to weather a variety of elements.
Some of the ingredients for Blendtec’s recognizable and unique aluminum nameplate include a variety of processes and color applications.
The processes include:
The nameplate needed to reflect the advanced and modern qualities of the blender. Combining several color processes created a dual tone on the nameplate and allowed the text to stand out.
The color processes include:
The combination of mechanical processes and custom color matching creates a unique and recognizable nameplate perfect for impressive kitchen use.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating product branding that differentiates your product. Custom color matches, texture and assembly are only some of the options in creating your nameplate.
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The Electrolux brand has evolved over several decades. Not only have the appliances themselves gone through changes, so have the nameplates. Below are just two examples of the evolution in nameplate design.
On the earlier nameplate version, a one-side-bright aluminum substrate is used with embossed lettering and an embossed border. The colors are opaque, which do not allow for the bright aluminum to shine through, but instead give a more distinct design.
The updated version of the nameplate includes a brushed aluminum substrate with a gray-toned coating. The lettering here is also embossed, with a metallic gray color. There is also a formed edge that enhances the level of the nameplate on the appliance.
Samples of nameplates are a great way to explore and better understand the options available to you in designing a nameplate. Northern engraving offers a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide with numerous samples on metal and plastic substrates to assist you in the process.
This week, we have a featured article written by one of our regional account managers, Paul Wuensch. He chose to focus on the importance of the metal substrate, and keeping its integrity.
While collaborating with designers on their branding solutions I often find myself using this phrase: “If you’re going to use metal, then use the metal”.
One of the benefits of utilizing aluminum nameplates is the variety of finishes that can be achieved on the substrate itself. Utilizing the metal substrate as part of the design enhances the perceived value of the product over other materials.
Through mechanical finishes like selective brushing and embossing, Manitowoc Food Service maximized the value perception of their nameplate (above). A bright aluminum embossed border contrasts, albeit subtly, with the horizontal brushing in the background. Embossed logos and precise color placement add interest and reflect both the corporate brand and a level of quality that is consistent with their product line.
This use of mechanical processes on this aluminum nameplate caught my attention. The background is high gloss brushed aluminum applied selectively to the part. The embossed logo features two additional mechanical finishes, engine turn and engine stripe. A printed mask was used to protect areas of the metal during the various mechanical processes. This combination of processes creates a nameplate with depth and movement. Layers of transparent color are printed on the logo to add further detail and catch your attention.
This nameplate has a rolled edge creating natural highlights and shadows on the metal surface. The formed edge gives the product branding a finished look and creates visual weight. It also means the back of the nameplate is not flat. Application of a foam adhesive creates a flat surface and the maximum area for bonding to the final product. The adhesive liner includes a tab for easy removal of the liner during assembly. Assembly options are an important consideration in the design of a nameplate. We can help walk you through the process providing samples to illustrate options.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding. Engine stripe, engine turn and brush are only some of the options in creating your nameplate.
In-mold components may be used to incorporate functional graphics, brand names and logos into plastic components. The In-mold Decoration (IMD) process may also be used for purely decorative components or trim.
The Kenmore nameplate uses the in-mold decoration process to create a nameplate with durable graphics integrated into a dimensional product branding solution. No adhesive is needed for assembly since the part is designed to snap fit. The nameplate is manufactured in three colorways. Overlay graphics are modified prior to insertion in the mold. Colored resin is injected into the mold encapsulating the graphics.
Request samples of nameplates and trim which use the in-mold decoration process to begin exploring the options available to you in product design.
Indurama uses the Singular ID process, a unique production of separate letters, to make a high precision aluminum nameplate for their line of ranges. The nameplate is applied to the glass door front on a line of Indurama ranges. The clean design focuses attention on the brand allowing it to stand out.
Bright aluminum is used for the nameplate. A carrier and pressure sensitive adhesive allows for easy positioning of the letters on the ranges.
Request samples of the Indurama nameplate and other Singular ID nameplates to begin exploring the options available to you in creating product branding with individual letters.
Two of my favorite parts in our display celebrating our hundredth anniversary are the Oster metal overlays. Their design is characteristic of the colors and graphics of the mid-twentieth century. One glance and the eye-catching retro style has your attention.
You can follow changes in our culture and product design by looking at the nameplates and overlays of that time period. Products make their entrance on the market as new technologies become available. Brands grow, evolve and fade away. It is interesting to look back over the years at the product identification for various markets and brands.
Contemporary Classic Beehive Blender Escutcheon
This metal escutcheon was one of the very first nameplates that I worked on when I started my career many years ago at Northern Engraving. The simple clean aluminum design is still in use today on the classic beehive blender.
Blender and Food Processor Overlays
The polycarbonate overlays for blenders and food processors are another example of a functional overlay.
Metal and Plastic Trim
The two escutcheons featured here are unique in that one is manufactured on aluminum and the other on chrome polyester. Both feature a printed metallic silver background with a chrome accent bead. The metal nameplate is formed and applied with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The plastic label is flexible and also applied with a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Do you have any nameplates that bring back memories from a first project or of a shiny new technology?
Aluminum is a versatile substrate offering great flexibility in options for forming and decorating nameplates. This flexibility in decorating means transparent tints of color can be applied to aluminum giving it the appearance of other metal substrates such as brass or stainless steel. A stainless steel look is in demand for many large and small appliances. The ability to decorate aluminum with a mechanical brush and stainless steel tint of color means that product designers have options when creating the nameplate for their stainless steel appliances.
There are advantages to working with an aluminum substrate. Embossed aluminum graphics are sharper and crisper than embossed stainless steel graphics. Aluminum has increased formability compared to stainless steel. In addition, aluminum nameplates are an economic option with a wider variety of decorating options than stainless steel nameplates. Aluminum is also a lighter substrate.
Aluminum nameplates are often used on large and small appliances to created the stainless steel look for the product. A pressure sensitive adhesive makes application to the final product easy.
The stainless steel look on aluminum has also been used in large appliance panels and aluminum in-mold appliance trim. What other products or applications might be appropriate for the stainless steel look on aluminum?
Stainless steel nameplates are popular in appliance design for both their look and their ability to stand up to corrosive environments.
Stainless steel nameplates are a great fit on in demand kitchen appliances with a retro stainless steel look or a high-end professional or commercial look. The warmth of the metal provides a modern and attractive appearance.
Stainless steel nameplates also make their appearance in kitchen appliance in an unexpected place... the inside of the dishwasher. This environment requires a nameplate that stands up to the high temperatures and detergents used.
What other environments might require a stainless steel nameplate?
Nameplates are used on a diverse range of products, each with their own set of unique needs. A smooth cleanable surface was one of the requirements for the Whirlpool ice and water nameplates. The nameplates also needed to be adhered to a curved surface. A custom aluminum nameplate was created to meet these needs.
The solution, which Whirlpool and Northern Engraving worked together to design, is a truly unique urethane domed nameplate which is formed. The norlens, or doming process, is combined with embossed graphics. The dimensional graphics catch the light while the lens provides a smooth surface. A simple change in background color allowed the same nameplate to be used on different models.
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