Have a question about a nameplate or badge?
The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
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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?
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Under-the-hood automotive badging is exposed to harsh elements including temperature extremes, grease, oil, dirt and grime. When designing the badge or emblem these things should be taken into consideration to create a part that looks as good after several years as the day the vehicle was purchased. Decorating processes, protective topcoats and attachment are key in the manufacturing of a part to meet these requirements.
Standard processes such as lithography and screen printing can be used by themselves or enhanced with mechanical finishes including brushing and spinning. The design can be as simple as one-dimensional printing or as complex as registering graphics for a multi-level emboss. It is important to stay away from processes which expose the aluminum such as diamond cut. Doming is not a good fit for under the hood requirements due to the heat of the engine.
Clear coats are applied by passing the aluminum sheets through a roll coater. Options with a range of glosses from low to high create the exact look your design demands. This step of the decoration process ensures resistance to the harsh enviroments the engine is exposed to.
A secure bond between the badge and engine cover is needed. A robust option is an open cell foam adhesive. This type of adhesive facilitates application to the uneven surface of the engine while standing up to the temperature extremes as well as grease, oil and dirt that are likely to be found. Another option is to rivet the label to the engine.
Does your nameplate or label need to be able to stand up to harsh elements? Keep these considerations in mind and feel free to contact us for more discussion on your specific project.
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Sonya Stone Customer Service RepresentativeSonya is part of the Nameplate Customer Service team who works closely with key accounts and the Sales group to ensure timely processing of quotes and orders.
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?
The metal accents on the WCW Nitro Cologne bottle are a truly unique approach to fragrance packaging design. The aluminum side panels are decorated with a brushed finish and transparent tint of color. Embossed details are designed to mimic the studded leather costumes often worn by pro-wrestlers, creating a signature look.
Both side panels are formed to wrap the sides of the bottle in metal creating a unique combination of metal and glass. Heat activated adhesive is used to assemble the parts to the glass bottles and ensure a good bond.
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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.
After reviewing numerous nameplate samples and styles, Labconco decided a highly formed nameplate was best suited for their application. The edges on their nameplate are formed down approximately .085”. A plastic molded filler piece provides support and is adhered within the formed down edges on the back of the nameplate. LABCONCO and the border are embossed in bright aluminum for high visual impact.
Beyond forming, the critical issue lied in achieving the right shade of blue Labconco desired for the background. Labconco worked closely with our color technicians to fine tune the blue until the perfect shade and effect was achieved. Options considered ranged from tranparent tints and metallics to opaque color in various gloss levels.
Labconco and Northern Engraving worked closely together on this nameplate from conception to delivery of production parts, comments Jerry Chenoweth, Northern Engraving Regional Sales Manager. The successful outcome is what happens when two organizations work together in a professional and intelligent manner.
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.
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.
The new Victory motorcycle badge incorporates deep drawn bright aluminum to give the part a substantial presence on the bikes while fine details in finishing make the badges more than just another piece of chrome.
The use of selective brushing and a vivid transparent red ink draw your attention to the Victory “V”. Selective brushing is a mechanical process which abrades the surface of the metal, creating an authentic metal surface. Brushed metal combines with standard nameplate processes to increase perceived value.
The "V" is further accented by a selective application of urethane lens to add visual depth. Urethane doming is a clear coating applied over the transparent tint, and achieves a high-end finish that makes the badge stand out. Reflections move on the urethane surface as the viewer's point of view changes.
The Victory motorcycle badge was an exciting design and engineering challenge for both Victory Motorcycles and Northern Engraving. We were able to give them the uniqueness and customization they desired through selective applications.
Learn more about the challenges and innovative solutions involved in the design and manufacturing of this part in our case study.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your custom product branding.
Are you interested in changing the look of your nameplate without an overall design change? There are several processes that can be added to an existing nameplate to enhance the overall appeal. The examples above include the original design, the silver-on-silver version, which was created for one of our holiday cards, sent to our customers in the month of December each year. Adding several colors, along with removing a border changed the look of this particular design.The various processes available when creating a nameplate or badge are highlighted on both pieces, showing the multitude of choices in processes and color combinations, and how well they can work with one another. Some of the processes featured include: 3D emboss, diamond cutting, and the use of metallic color processes. While the silver-on-silver version is elegant, it was important that we also develop a version in color to show the options available when transitioning from silver-on-silver to all-over color, and how the look of a nameplate can be changed with the addition of color. No matter which look you prefer, the countless choices are evident. Keep these looks in mind the next time you create your nameplate or badge.
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.
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