Have a question about a nameplate or badge?
The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
Current Articles | RSS Feed
Mating component parts are feasible in any industry, from cosmetic and computers to medical equipment and automotive interiors. The XV1 Oroscoptic dental loupe and headlight uses a subtle black dot pattern on black background carried across both sides of the bow as well as serial number label. The result is a set of family parts which work together to complement and enhance the brand across different product base colors.
A library of thousands of pattern and finish options is at your disposal. Browse through the gallery to find a structure that fits your application. Any of the patterns can be customized in scale or color. Many of them can also be translated onto plastic substrates like polycarbonate or polyester to give even more options if your product requires an overlay with windows or any backlit elements.
Once a finish is selected, take into consideration the shape and size of the component part. Emboss or deboss elements and any forming will affect the final look as the substrate is manipulated and stretched during tooling. Registration for printed, embossed or debossed graphics is accomplished through print development.
Consistency in decoration between component parts of a product or product line is an important consideration in the overall design. This helps to reinforce the look across the final product. Where do you begin? Many times it starts with the finish.
Is there opportunity for your next project to carry decoration across multiple parts? Where will you use this?
DELL Latitude E6400 XFR Trim - Metal and Plastic Mustang Shelby Interior TrimVolvo C-30 Interior Trim Case StudyRanger Boats Aluminum Dash Trim Case StudyFull product image credit Orascoptic
0 Comments Click here to read/write comments
Aluminum trim can be used to decorate and add interest to consumer products. Integrating the nameplate into the trim is an economical and efficient use of the material. The combination makes the most of manufacturing efficiency and keeps tooling operations and investment as minimal as possible.
For the functional computer tower trim shown below, the customer called out a raised character custom pattern design using the model name repeating across the background which coordinates with the rest of the housing. Contoured tooling with debossed bright aluminum graphics makes the nameplate appear like a separate inlaid component. The aluminum wraps around a plastic backing which allows snap-in attachment to the housing. The result is a recognizable trim piece for the brand with high perceived value.
Do you have a project to review for potential to combine functionality of a nameplate with mating aluminum trim? Let's talk!
Nameplate and Trim as One PieceEmbossed Aluminum Overlay for Boat6 Options for Integrating Nameplate into Aluminum Trim
Your name is your mark for your product. Likely you want that mark to be recognizable and distinguishable from other competing products on the shelf or in the marketplace. When you have multiple product lines, consistency in your labeling helps to reinforce your brand, your name, your mark.
Two areas to keep in mind for consistency is your artwork and tooling. These elements carry your name and look across your product lines. Keeping them similar reinforces your brand. Differentiate between the products and simplify your inventory control by assigning unique part numbers to each design.
Once a tool is identified, take advantage of the geometry and use it across your product lines. Many customers use this as the avenue to have a recognizable shape for their logo, or to carry the brand across similar types of products, targeted to different demographics. Only the initial cost of building the tool is needed - sharing it has no up front tooling cost for the next part.
Artwork and tooling are two areas that can be controlled to ensure consistency for your brand. These considerations allow you the flexibility to have different looks for various product lines or demographics in your target market.
Now that you have reviewed the options available in artwork and tooling to keep your brand consistent across multiple products and product lines, how do you plan to use them?
Product Differentiation through Nameplate DesignCallaway Watermark NameplatesDimensional Appliance Nameplate on Smooth Surface
Every Harley-Davidson V-Twin motor since 1970 features an aluminum timer cover manufactured right here in Sparta, Wisconsin. It is a source of pride to our employees when traveling throughout the US or around the world to see motorcycles featuring nameplates made by Northern Engraving.
The trained eye can differentiate the era of the motor by the design of these timer covers. Many use common tooling with unique combinations of brushed, spun and printed designs to differentiate the specific models.
• Common shape and size• Thick 0.060" aluminum • Multi-level embossing• Diamond cut graphics • Model specific decoration
The timer cover was originally created to serve a functional purpose: protecting the moving parts that were part of the ignition system. Today, with the introduction of solid state electronics, the part is purely decorative.
Many of Harley-Davidson’s evolutionary milestones have been featured on timer covers. Some of these include the famous V2 design emphasizing the twin cylinder motor, introduction of the five speed transmission, and the Evolution series motors and Twin Cam’s. All of the mechanical advancements were marked by graphics on the timer cover. Since its introduction on the 1970 Shovelhead, the timer cover has had a constant presence on each and every Harley-Davidson motor produced.
What a ride it has been! The timer covers are excellent examples of how common tooling can be relevant and carry a brand over many style changes, coming to be an expected component with new launches.
Do your product lines have common attributes that can be enhanced with a badge or label?
By utilizing our expertise in decorating aluminum to dress and replace their existing plastic label for a medical sonogram machine, our customer now has a nameplate unlike any other.
To begin the nameplate creation process, finish requirements needed to include:
The true challenge of this part lied in providing a solution to support different sized piercings for the speaker requirements, providing visual appeal without interfering sound quality. The result:
The next step in the process involved choosing a finish. After referencing our extensive library of finishes, we quickly zeroed in on a textured finish for the background to compliment the embossed logo. This black texture creates tactile and visual interest while allowing for the embossed area to be a focal point.
The final result left the customer extremely happy with the results and we are now working with them to enhance the quality level of the matching polycarbonate overlay for the same product.
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.
Do you have a smart phone or camera phone? There is now an easy way to connect potential or current customers to your website to learn more about your product: feature a QR code on your next label design.
A QR (quick response) code is a collection of black modules arranged in square patterns on a white background that can be decoded at a high speed. These codes have been around since the early 90's but were mainly used for industrial applications.
This QR code was featured on our most recent holiday card and linked to the specific blog post describing the processes that went into creating the design. With the addition of the QR code, any recipient of the card can now directly access more information on our product without having to know our website all that well.
Consider incorporating a QR code on your next label design whether on aluminum or plastic substrates and give the mobile experience.
Request samples of various label designs to begin exploring options for your project.
Once again Northern Engraving has been busy designing and printing our holiday card. Many look forward to seeing the new design each year. This year's card features aluminum finishes from our pattern library brought together into a modern holiday design. The library is a resource available to customers for integration into their product branding and decorative trim. This year we chose to highlight the versatility of aluminum with a card that layers finishes from our pattern library next to each other in a festive design.
This unique pattern was created using a large scale rendition of a familiar shape: a music note. The organic graphic involves a two-direction brush with a selective red tint, giving an overall tone-on-tone look.
Atop this tree sits a silver star. This pattern is created using a selective brush pattern over bright aluminum. Within the overall pattern are alternating selective gloss and selective dull areas, giving the pattern more dimension and visual appeal.
On this particular pattern, a clear texture is applied over brushed aluminum, creating the subtle diamond pattern. A green tint is applied to enhance the overall look.
The subtle patterns incorporated into the white background are enlarged versions of the graphics used on the holiday tree. The possibilities are endless in customizing aluminum patterns whether for a holiday card or your custom project. Change the color, scale or gloss to make it your own. Request a disc collection to begin exploring the options available to you in pattern development.
Request a disc collection to begin exploring the variety of finishes available for panels, overlays and decorative trim.
Customers often request a color or texture match to ensure a seamless design on their end product. A nameplate or badge can mimic the texture or material of the desired item. This is especially important for household goods and furniture products.
Through continuous improvements in design and technology, Bionaire's industrial design takes into account the lines, textures and materials of other items in a home, creating an ideal balance of form and function.
The choice of color on this particular nameplate highlights the trendy and unique design qualities of the end product.
Described as pioneers, perfectionists, innovators, and idealists the brand is pushing the boundaries to create exceptional products with high quality brand representation on aluminum.
Samples of nameplates are a great way to explore and better understand options available for 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.
Alienware designed an aluminum plaque for the bottom of their laptop to be personalized for each customer. The plaque announces the custom-built M15x is unique to only them. The nameplate design features the Alienware logo printed on brushed aluminum. In contrast to having the personalization completed at the time of manufacturing the plaque, the laser customization is completed as the laptop is built. Recessed holes are pierced in the corners of the plaque for assembly to the laptop.
How would you integrate customization into a product? What type of products would be a candidate for a customized nameplate or emblem?
Request custom laser-etched nameplates to begin exploring this process and the options available to you in personalization.
The 35th Anniversary Super Glide pays homage to the original red, white and blue 1971 FX Super Glide designed by Willie G. Davidson. Only 3,500 numbered examples were produced each with a laser etched anniversary badge. Laser etching is used on emblems and badges for personalization or serialization. Laser etching allows customization on each individual badge. This aluminum badge also features diamond cut graphics and a bright border.
The anniversary bike carries the color scheme through the badging with the red, white and blue 1 badge. Diamond cut and bright borders accent the bold colors.
The diamond cut graphics and bright borders are repeated on the aluminum tank badges. All three of the badges shown here have formed edges giving them dimension. Foam adhesive is used for assembly to the motorcycle.
The three badges use the same processes to create three very different looks. However, the common decorative processes tie the branding together for a unified look.
All Posts | Next Page