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The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
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Trim decoration and brand identity are sometimes thought to be separate design considerations. It is possible to integrate these items so that the nameplate and trim become one piece. How is this done? Selectively applied doming is one option.
Norlens, a doming process, is a urethane-based material which provides durability and added dimension to the decoration. It pairs nicely with a brushed aluminum background. When applied over a transparent tint, doming helps the logo take on a jewel-like appearance which then increases perceived value.
This aluminum panel made for Crown International is a great example. The end result is an overlay which provides the functional label information as well as consistent corporate branding.
• Brushed aluminum finish for the background provides the main surface of the trim piece.• Transparent blue ink along with black embossed letters shows the corporate logo. • Selective doming creates another dimensional level and draws attention from the consumer to enhance brand awareness. • One part number for inventory and assembly instructions with no worries for alignment.
Can your trim benefit by incorporating your logo into the design? Need help to identify the options? Request samples and explore the possibilities.
There are many options to explore when designing an aluminum nameplate. Samples are a great way to explore and better understand the options available. Northern engraving offers a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide with numerous samples on metal and plastic substrates to assist you in the process.
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When you demand a nameplate that will withstand exposure to a variety of exterior weather elements for your electronic product, aluminum is a great option. Consider the environment that your end product will be displayed or used in and be sure to call out the specifications required. Durable top coats and inks provide long-lasting and sharp decoration to ensure that the label is not harmed during a rain storm, in extreme summer heat or winter cold environments.
This label design for a security camera called for this type of protection. The black background contrasts with the aluminum logo, allowing the brand to be highlighted. The result is a durable and attractive label which will stand the test of time.
Now you don't have to worry for your next project for a nameplate that may be used outdoors.
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.
A colleague recently mentioned: "There are so many nameplates produced at Northern Engraving that are located throughout our homes and we often look past them." Daily use of an item causes us to forget what brand it is or how long ago it was purchased, and a new focus is directed toward its function.A remote, for example, is readily used, especially since the amount of televisions in a home has dramatically increased in the last few years. As a child I remember the remote my grandparents had for their only television. It was a Magnavox (very similar to the one pictured) and functioned for a majority of my childhood. Though somewhat irrelevant in terms of the fondest of memories from my time spent with my grandparents, looking at a faceplate from that remote does bring back some very special memories from that time period.What brands can you recall from your past?
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.
The above nameplate was designed for an IBM manufacturing system in the 1980’s. The nameplate is an aluminum substrate with an embossed IBM logo and one overall color application. It is a very simple design, yet very recognizable in terms of the company brand.This version of an IBM is not what we normally think of in terms of computers or processing systems. The 7540 was developed in 1983 for manufacturers to enhance their speed and accuracy. IBM made a programmable tool to handle weights of up to 55 pounds. When paired with an IBM personal computer, the manufacturing engineers could create programs to make the 7540 work through IBM’s custom robotic programming language.When we think of personal computers today, a laptop or iPad often come to mind. IBM created the first personal computer over 25 years ago, and what a long way the world has come since that time.
This article is the first in a series of articles illustrating options in integrating finishes into your nameplate design. All can be customized to meet your product branding needs.
A variety of processes are available to create tone-on tone silver nameplates. The result is a premium look that coordinates with many products. This series combines aluminum in high or low gloss with metallic inks, brushing and spinning. The logo is embossed to further differentiate it from the background finish. Which one catches your attention? Can you think of other nameplates that rely on a tone-on-tone finish to stand out?
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.
Aluminum nameplates manufactured for Axon reflect the high quality and advanced features inside the tactical computer used by law enforcement to bring the power of video to their side. The nameplate is cut out around the letters focusing on the Axon logo. Engine stripe adds movement to the logo and is layered with a transparent grey tint. Embossing completes the simple eye-catching design. The circular logo is treated in similar processes to complement the main logo.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding. Custom color matches, texture and assembly are only some of the options in creating your nameplate.
The TiVo nameplate use a multi-level emboss to define the TiVo logo. This small logo has three levels of embossing. The graphics are printed using spot colors custom matched to the graphics. The background is a low gloss aluminum. The same processes are used on the large and small version of the nameplate.
The aluminum trim piece features a unique emboss and form adding detail and interest to the part and product. This piece is an example of using aluminum trim to enhance product design. It is typical to think of using aluminum in nameplate design. Aluminum is also commonly used for decorative trim in the appliance and automotive industries. Integrating decorative aluminum trim into consumer products allows you to increase perceived value. Product branding can also be incorporated into decorative trim. This option allows you to focus attention on your brand while adding detail to the design.
What type of product would you like to see designed with decorative aluminum trim? What type of finishes would be appropriate for this trim? Do you see the trim used as a focal point?
Request samples of the TiVo nameplates or trim to see the detail in the forming and embossing.
The Zenith nameplates are a classic example of the use of the diamond cut process on a nameplate. The outer edge of the nameplate is contoured to follow the logo minimizing the black background while allowing the logo to stand out.
The diamond cut process continues to be popular on nameplates for consumer electronics. The crisp graphics create a look of precision for product branding. The bright silver finish coordinates across a wide variety of products.
What type of product do you think would be a good fit for a diamond cut nameplates? Why?
Request samples of diamond cut nameplates to see additional examples of the diamond cut process.
One of the key facets of a great brand is that it delivers on consistency. The manifestation of the brand or the way in which the promise and values are communicated occurs in many ways. Product branding with nameplates and labels is one of the vehicles for delivering a brand's message. This can become complicated when the brand covers a wide variety of products designed and manufactured throughout the world. HP meets the challenge with consistent aluminum badging for its consumer products ranging from printers and laptops to cameras and TVs.
A consistent image is represented with one logo available in multiple sizes to be used on the line of HP products. This logo uses the singular ID process to precisely align individual metal elements in the HP graphic. The aluminum is decorated with an engine stripe to enhance natural highlights and shadows in the metal. The silver nameplate coordinates with and is easily integrated into products in any color. A further economy with this approach to branding is the reduction in the total amount of part numbers. This in turn increases total volume by part number. Tooling and inventory costs are minimized while allowing price breaks for the higher volumes.
Request samples of this series or other nameplates in multiple sizes to see how a logo can be translated across multiple sizes consistently.
When it's your 25th anniversary... you celebrate it with style. This is exactly how Hewlett Packard commemorated the anniversary of the laserjet printer with an anniversary edition badge designed for the printers.
The first step in the process was the design of the logo and graphics. Once the graphic design was complete the next step was to choose an overall color scheme for the nameplate. HP wanted a high-end look, selecting silver and black for the badge. A visit to Northern Engraving along with creation of concept drawings and prototypes helped to facilitate further discussion on the many options available. The variety of elements in the 25th anniversary graphic allowed HP to integrate several processes into the nameplate creating an eye-catching jewel. The many silver finishes in the aluminum nameplate create an elegant tone on tone look with the use of a printed matte black accent. The manufacturing processes used to create the high-end badge include:
Spin: selectively applied with a maskDiamond cut: fine zebra cutLitho printing: halftones and graphicsBrush: selective diagonalEmboss: multi-levelAdhesive: selective foam with tab
The final aluminum badge conveys a premium brand image. Multiple graphics and processes are combined to compliment rather than compete with each other. The short skirt on the perimeter of the nameplate finishes the part, hiding the raw aluminum edge. A tab on the adhesive facilitates assembly to the final product.
What processes would you use to create an anniversary edition badge?
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