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Sometimes the packaging or housing surface for the end product is not friendly for a dimensional look. Your design calls for graphics which are set down into the label or appliqué. How can this be achieved without causing attachment concerns? Coined graphics on aluminum provide an elegant option.
Coining aluminum is part of the tooling process which involves a custom stamping tool made to match graphic elements of the design. The coined tool causes a slight depression into the surface of the decorated aluminum, without major disruption to the backside (shown in the image to the right with the "HILFIGER" graphic). This allows for a smooth surface and maximum contact area for adhesive bonding to the mating surface. The coined area can be registered to colored graphics for further detail and distinction. This refinement is developed and perfected during the tool build so that when it is time to put decorated stock through the tool, quality parts are produced. Without colored graphics, a subtle two-tone image results within the coined area. Either option enhances the brand with elegance and a precise look.
The images above show examples using coined graphics from the cosmetic and packaging industries. This type of tooling can be used in any market when subtle dimension for graphics is needed.
• Precise registration of graphics is achieved with standard tolerances ± .010”.• Contrasting or complementary colors for detail and brand recognition are retained within the coined areas.• Coordinates well with other tooling operations including emboss and form.• Seamless attachment and bond to mating surface with heat activated or pressure sensitive adhesive.
Now that you are aware of the option to add dimension through coined graphics, is there opportunity to use this for your next design?
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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.
Pure Turquoise Custom NameplateAluminum Fragrance Cap InsertDomed Fragrance Cap InsertBeauty and Cosmetic Packaging Review
Are you looking for a more efficient method to apply your brand onto your products? Why not consider our “Blank on Tape” option for packaging your nameplate.
“Blank on Tape” refers to the process in which a nameplate is applied onto a roll of adhesive.
There are several benefits to choosing this process over traditional packaging methods. The most important benefit is the ease of assembly for high volume programs.
1) The “Blank on Tape” process provides flat appliqués consistently oriented on a roll of tape, which decreases the chances of any mis-assembly of your brand onto your finished product.
2) Since the appliqué is cut with the tool and simultaneously transferred onto the tape, the part releases easily, speeding up the assembly process.
3) This process can be easily designed for automation during assembly of your product.
“Blank on Tape” offers a clean and contained pack method. Specific industries that most commonly use this process include cosmetics and electronics. Whether your nameplate is aluminum, plastic, or norlens it can be a great candidate for “Blank on Tape”.
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 example of packaging is featured on a 5 CD Box Set and an accompanying guitar carrying case which houses the CD set (not pictured). The logo is printed on a bright aluminum substrate, with a matte black finish surrounding the logo. In addition, the logo is embossed to enhance the bright aluminum and offer a recognizable contrast from the black finish. Many fans will appreciate the longevity and durability the aluminum gives to the nameplate used for packaging.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.
A brushed metal surface is popular because it is an authentic metal surface. It is a mechanical process which abrades the surface of the metal.
Brushed metal combines with standard nameplate processes to increase perceived value. The brush technique gives the metal a shimmering appearance.
The Miles Davis CD packaging nameplate above achieved an anodized blue metal look by coating a transparent tint of color on brushed steel. You can see the shimmer and different shades of translucent blues that is achieved with tint over a brushed metal surface. With brushed metal you can compliment the silver finish with a selective bright bead, integrate your brand logo in a variey of techniques and specify color and gloss to create the look that you need.
Brushed finishes are available in warm or cool tints and can be created in bronze, copper, brass and stainless looks. The comestic packing below shows how adding a tint to the brushed metal adds perceived value. The end result is a classic, soft look.
What are your thoughts on the look of brushed metal? Check out Ford's 2009 F - 150 Platinum Edition Trim case study to see more examples of how brushed metal can be utilized.
Request nameplate samples today to see more and to inspire your next project!
Another way to achieve an embossed look on aluminum is to add a printed texture with gloss. The ink builds up and creates a texture that you can see and feel. This technique is often used on cosmetic nameplates. Screen printed texture is available in high or low gloss for a subtle background surface. A colored texture creates a more dramatic contrast in a pattern. Pinstripes and grids are popular patterns in product identification as well as subtle grains.In the Bronze Goddess nameplate above, printed texture is combined with a transparent gold tint which brings the nameplate to life.
Below is a recent nameplate that we produced for Kirra.
Kirra's New Blue Perfume's packaging is modern and sophisticated. The brand name on the namplate reflects the same sophisitcation by adding a printed low gloss texture over a low gloss aluminum surface.
Click here to see more cosmetic nameplate examples and to request your samples today.
Packaging innovation is a key element in beauty marketing today. This is illustrated by the continuous launch of unique packages on the market. Decorative inserts and labels are a key element in the differentiation of products and their packaging.
Northern Engraving manufactures a wide variety of decoratives on metal and plastic substrates for the cosmetics, fragrance, aromotherapy, skin care and personal care industries. All are custom manufactured using printing, embossing and forming to create unique looks. This short video includes examples of decoratives manufactured for the beauty industry.
Request samples of beauty product appliqués to begin exploring the options available to you in adding a distinct look to your beauty product.
Common tooling is used in this example to create similar yet distinct metal labels for Bora Bora colognes and perfumes. The example illustrates the use of color to differentiate products. Using a single tool for embossing and stamping helps to control costs.
The design features a two-tone gold on gold background. Transparent gold is printed on the outside border while opaque gold is printed in the background of the debossed center area. The opaque gold is also used to print the Claiborne graphics in the border.
The embossed details on these nameplates do double duty differentiating graphics and creating a multi-level background. The outside border and Bora Bora graphics are embossed (raised) to the same height. A very fine outline around the part remains at original height creating a finished edge. Embossing the wide border gives the part the illusion of being a thicker metal nameplate.
The design is scaled up in this label for use on larger sprays in the fragrance line. Consistency is achieved by printing the same colors and embossing the same details.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you. Custom color matches, texture and assembly are only some of the options in creating your unique design.
This aluminum nameplate, manufactured for Estée Lauder's Beautiful perfumed powder, pushed the boundaries of nameplate design. The Beautiful logo is embossed and printed with a transparent tint of gold. The background is enhanced with an embossed ribbing. The overall shape of the part is a slight dome with a bright gold border. The truly unique feature of this nameplate is the addition of the urethane lens to the domed background. The formed background catches the light creating highlights and shadows. The domed surface acts as a lens magnifying the details.
The Youth Dew and White Linen nameplates use the same processes creating equally beautiful parts. The three dimensional emboss on both of the logos is an eye-catching detail.
A unique use of aluminum decoration is illustrated in this CD package which in 2001 was the Grammy Award winner of Best Boxed Recording Package: Various Artists – Brain In A Box – The Science Fiction Collection. The 6.5-inch square, metal-lidded cube is brilliant packaging design.
The aluminum cover is printed using process color to capture the detail and graphics in the buttons, gauges and dials. A bright aluminum background is layered with a printed texture adding to the overlay both visually and tactilely.
This creative design relies on litho and screen printing to achieve attention getting results. Additional processes available to be integrated into metal package inserts are brush, spin and emboss. How would you use the decorative processes available to you on aluminum in a package design?
Aluminum Inserts and The Grateful Dead Nameplate Archive: Miles Davis Metal CD Spine
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in integrating aluminum, steel, brass or plastic substrates into your packaging design.
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