Have a question about a nameplate or badge?
The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
Current Articles | RSS Feed
This aluminum ornament was designed and printed for a local charity. We have worked with the organization for several years designing metal ornaments which can be engraved in memory of a loved one. This design illustrates the effective use of brushed and bright aluminum combined with a transparent tint of color and metallic background. There is no embossing on the design but there is depth created in the naturally reflective metal surface.
Last year's ornament used similar processes to create a dramatically different design. Both ornaments utilize a stock die and demonstrate how aluminum is able to be decorated to create attention getting effects. I imagine the tree is quite lovely with the ornaments reflecting the glimmers of light from around.
0 Comments Click here to read/write comments
Bookmarks are an example of a product that uses the same processes typically used in the manufacturing of nameplates, emblems and tags. Brushing, printing, texture and embossing are a few of the manufacturing options. This article gives a brief overview of some of the options available to you in bookmark printing.
Mill finish aluminum is printed in black with a pen and ink illustration in this bookmark design. A gloss finish completes the design. The back of the bookmark features contact information printed in black on mill finish aluminum.
Four color process is used on this bookmark to create the full color rainbow-like design. Translucent and opaque inks combine to create an almost holographic appearance. Matte and gloss finishes are available to add to the durability of the printed metal. This design uses a matte finish and is finished with rounded corners and a pierced hole for the tassel.
The bookmarks above show a few of the possibilities available to you when working with four color process designs on plastic. Using a digital press helps to minimize costs while shortening lead time. The designs make use of selective varnish to emphasize specific details adding interest to the overall design.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.
Designing a flat sill plate with visual dimension can be a challenge. The Mustang Roush sill plate takes advantage of a mechanical finish and pattern to successfully add depth to the part. The movement in the Roush graphic is created with a horizontal engine stripe. A low gloss geometric pattern is printed in the background. A black texture with the appearance of laser-etching adds a tactile dimension to the part.
Six Ways to Make a Flat Nameplate Stand OutLincoln | Stainless Steel Sill PlateMustang | Aluminum Sill Plate Through Mold Graphics on Hummer Sill plate
This Rainbow vacuum nameplate features four color process, embossed graphics, doming and forming all in one attention-getting part. Adhesive is laminated to the back of the nameplate for assembly to the handle of the vacuum.
Northern Engraving manufactures metal sill plates in aluminum and stainless steel. Both materials offer a wide variety of options in brushing, printing and embossing. This Lincoln sill plate is manufactured using stainless steel. The Lincoln logo is bright stainless steel debossed against a brushed background. Radiused edges give the part a finished look. The sill plate blank includes tabs used for assembly.
This set of nameplates illustrates beautifully options in nameplate design on aluminum. One design uses bright graphics to contrast against a grey background. A second design changes up the grey background with the addition of a spin for movement. The third design adds embossing and diamond cutting to the mix.
How would you translate your logo or design onto aluminum? How might you vary that design for different models or products within your brand? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
The Mustang metal sill plate utilizes a blind deboss to create this bold classic design. The Mustang logo is pressed into the metal without registration to brushed or printed graphics. The graphics and background are finished in the same low gloss aluminum finish. The sill plate has a radiused edge with a little bit of depth to the part.
A further point of interest for this sill plate is the method of attachment. A thick pressure sensitive adhesive fills the back side of the sill plate and is used for assembly. The adhesive has die cut openings around each of the debossed letters keeping the adhesive and overall backside of the sill plate flat.
The Coca-Cola sign is an example of using traditional nameplate processes in a unique way. It is a very large nameplate. The logo is embossed and diamond cut creating crisp graphics with a reflective surface. Northern Engraving manufactured the aluminum signs in two versions, grey and red.
Processes available to you in the design of nameplates are available to be translated into attention getting point of purchase signs and displays. Brushing, spinning, printing and embossing combine taking advantage of the reflective metal surface. In addition, finishes from our pattern library can be used to support the overall design.
This article explores using mill finish aluminum as an economic and attractive alternative in nameplate and tag design. Mill finish is the natural appearance of aluminum as it comes from the rolling mill. There is no external mechanical or chemical finishing to the surface of the metal. Alternative options include bright or brushed aluminum.
Industrial safety and warning tags are often printed on a mill finish substrate. However, the same finish can be used quite effectively in more premium applications. The raw look of the metal isn't as directional as a brush finish. In addition it has the look of authentic metal without the highly reflective surface of polished aluminum. It is one more option in your toolbox when designing a nameplate.
Both of these tag designs emphasize a high gloss mill finish aluminum background. The grain of the aluminum is evident in this material. In these examples both a horizontal and vertical grain are used.
This nameplate and tag use the same mill finish background. However, they illustrate the use of a low gloss topcoat. The addition of a second color makes both parts more attractive designs.
Transparent tints of color are one more option in working with mill finish aluminum. The color can be applied overall or selectively. A custom color match and four color process are shown in these examples.
Mill finish aluminum combines with a full range of options including brushing, printing, doming and embossing. Although it is most often considered in industrial applications, the natural grain of aluminum is aesthetically pleasing and can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from nameplates and tags to overlays and trim.
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.
All Posts