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Exercise equipment uses both metal and plastic labels for product branding. NuStep has an interesting story behind the evolution of their metal nameplate design. The logo is printed and embossed on aluminum. The initial design shown above combined the graphics with a bright aluminum. The result is an eye-catching nameplate.
An interesting twist came when the fitness equipment was featured prominently on a major network show. The reflective surface in the background of the nameplate caught the bright lights and made the logo difficult to read. A simple change to the background made the brand name stand out clearly. Adding a magnet to the back allowed the branding to be moved when the cameras were rolling further guaranteeing visibility.
This is an example of one of the stories behind one of our nameplates. There are many more. Do you have an interesting story to tell about a nameplate? Share it in the comments below.
Request nameplate samples to begin exploring the options available to you as you tell the story of your brand.
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Application of a selective gloss is used on metal and plastic nameplates to add impact to product identification. Most often a low gloss area is contrasted with high gloss details to create an attractive nameplate. This article focuses on options in selective gloss on metal nameplates.
Metal nameplates are decorated in the flat sheet. Selective gloss is applied to aluminum, brass or steel through screen printing. The combination of high and low gloss printing can be combined with most standard decorative processes including: brush, spin, texture and diamond cutting. The one process that isn't compatible with selective gloss levels is doming. Since doming is high gloss, it cancels out any gloss change that is layered under it. If doming is applied selectively, selective gloss levels would be an option.
A clear low gloss is the most common selective low gloss option used in nameplates. It guarantees a coordinated and refined look when the same background surface is used in both a high gloss and low gloss finish. There is no need to worry about color matching the two areas. The two surfaces naturally coordinate since they are the same color or finish with only a different gloss level distinguishing them. Embossing helps to further differentiate the areas. The Dell emblem shown here is wonderful example of a selective low gloss clear nameplate. The low gloss is printed on bright aluminum for the background area. Bright aluminum is used for the logo.
An additional option is to use the same low gloss clear on multiple finishes. For example, if you have areas of black and bright aluminum in high gloss, adding low gloss selectively to both gives you the finishes in high and low gloss in one step.
Color added to low gloss creates even greater contrast between gloss levels. The Hon nameplate uses a low gloss black background against bright graphics. Embossing wasn't used on this badge since the brand name is easily read. However, it could be added to add dimension to the piece.
Metallics are naturally low gloss and have the advantage of adding a little sparkle to the finish. Metallics are available in silver, gold and in color. Size of the metal flake determines the overall appearance of the finish. The Indurama nameplate creates a tone on tone look using metallic silver combined with bright aluminum.
How would you use selective gloss to design an eye-catching nameplate? What processes would you combine with selective gloss to make your brand stand out?
Whether clear, colored or metallic selective gloss is an attractive option for adding impact to your product identification. Request samples of these and other nameplates to begin exploring the options available to you in designing a nameplate.
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Any size or shape nameplate up to 42" by 25". From ten to ten thousand, all are custom manufactured to meet your needs on aluminum, stainless steel, plastic and brass. Not all processes are available on all sizes or types of material. However, the custom product identification possibilities are endless.
Judy Weber, our sample coordinator in the Design department, shares with us examples of one of the larger and smaller nameplates manufactured on aluminum.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.
All that glitters is not gold, and that is certainly true of this group of aluminum nameplates. The metallic surface of aluminum is naturally a silvery color. Decorative process ranging from spinning and brushing to printing and etching expand the palette of silver options when designing a nameplate or label.
Silver is a neutral color coordinating with all other colors. Silver can seem warm, cold, modern or traditional depending on how it is used. This versatility is what makes it an attractive option when building your brand identity.
The silver on silver look for product branding has been used in cosmetics, consumer electronics, appliances and automobiles. A quick look at our collection of nameplate samples and you begin to see the popularity of silver. However, even once you have focused in on using silver in your color scheme, there are still a diverse group of options available to you. This article explores some of the options available to you in designing a tone on tone silver nameplate.
The elegant look for this label relies primarily on the bright aluminum surface. A subtle recessed graphic is created through coining, a tooling process.
The matte background effect on the Dell emblem relies on a screen printing process. The bright graphics are further defined by embossing.
The metallic surface in the background of the Indurama nameplate is often referred to as a sandblast finish. The matte finish has a slight visual texture.
The etching process removes a fine layer of the surface of the aluminum creating a matte silver appearance. This nameplate makes effective use of the process in a positive-negative design featuring graphics that are both bright and etched.
Harley-Davidson uses a classic brushed aluminum finish as the base for their emblem. The bar and shield are embossed and diamond cut creating crisp well defined graphics.
Silver on silver product branding is complimentary to a wide variety of products. Additional mechanical options include spin, engine turn and engine stripe. Sandblast effects are available from in an array of finishes. High, medium or low gloss topcoats alter the look of each of the finishes. Samples are available to help explore the options available to you in creating your product branding.
What other silver on silver nameplates catch your attention? Why do they?
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating product identification.
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.
Embossing is used on aluminum nameplates to add dimension and interest. Options range from the simple to the complex. This article covers options in beveled emboss in emblems and badges. Facets embossed in aluminum create natural highlights and shadows. This eye-catching detail can be combined with brushing, spinning, printing and other embossed details to create and an endless palette of options available to you in nameplate design.
Following is a listing of some of the options available in incorporating beveled emboss into nameplates.
The focal point of the Chevy bow tie emblem is the textured coined in the center. The beveled border frames the texture and creates natural highlights and shadows in the metal.
The beveled X graphic on this Callaway emblem is enhanced with printing adding to the impact of the graphic as a focal point.
The Pontiac logo includes a beveled border leading to a flat plane. Spinning is applied selectively to register to the embossed detail. The flat plane is further defined with printed color and an embossed accent.
The beveled emboss on this Callaway medallion is the final layer in a complex multi-level emboss. Graphics are printed to register adding to the jewel-like effect of the nameplate.
A beveled emboss combines with a multi-level emboss in this diamond cut nameplate. The facets in the emboss and diamond cut surface catch light creating movement and high impact in this small nameplate.
The beveled emboss on this spun nameplate takes center stage. The interlocking graphic creates a natural focal point.
What other nameplates come to mind that use a beveled emboss to draw your attention to the brand? How would you incorporate a beveled emboss into a nameplate?
Request nameplate samples to explore the options in processes and finishes available to be integrated into nameplates.
Eye surgeons look to Alcon Retina for ophthalmic surgical products, enabling them to achieve optimal results for their patients. Eye care equipment and devices featuring state of the art technology require product branding that represents the quality and innovation behind the brand.
Numerous options are available to equipment manufacturers designing an aluminum nameplate. We can help in the decision process providing samples, recommendations, concept drawings and prototypes. Each nameplate is custom designed to represent the individual brand. Mechanical finishes, printing, embossing and doming are some of the processes available to be combined into a label or emblem.
The Purepoint Laser nameplate uses a combination of spin and printed halftones to add movement and a look of precision to the nameplate. The combination of embossed white graphics on a matte silver background creates a clean look.
In contrast, the Constellation Vision System nameplate uses a different approach with a very similar logo. Both nameplates feature a circular graphic in the logo highlighted in unique ways. The Constellation nameplate layers a dome on the spin and printed halftone adding a jewel-like accent.
Using an off center spin on a rectangular nameplate is a unique detail made even more attention getting with a selective dome. Both nameplates stand out among nameplate samples because of these details.
Do these nameplates inspire you to consider using a spin or a dome in a different way on your next design? What ideas come to mind?
Northern Engraving highlights our top 10 key messages from the first year of our Nameplate Blog for nameplate, label and emblem design.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you on metal and plastic substrates.
The crystal clear lens on domed nameplates adds depth and dimension to your product identification. A unique twist on the process is to apply the dome selectively creating a dimensional focal point on the label. The process gives the illusion of a secondary piece assembled to the nameplate. Color and mechanical finishes are used to further emphasize the domed accent. Following is a brief summary of the options available to you in adding a selective dome.
The selective dome on the Constellation vision system nameplate is combined with a spin to add movement and depth.
The Cleveland golf medallion draws attention to the name with a lens. The background colors are printed to register to the selective application of the oval lens furthering the illusion of being two separate parts.
The Global Velocity plastic nameplate uses a selective dome to emphasize the logo. Selective doming is a versatile process which can be integrated into both metal and plastic substrates.
The doming process involves pouring liquid polyurethane over the label and curing it into a crystal clear lens. Typically the lens flows to the edge of the part. A dome applied selectively requires a dam to stop the lens.
How would you use this process on a nameplate or overlay? What type of product is a good application for a nameplate with a selective lens?
Request nameplate and label samples to begin exploring the possibilities available to you in product identification.
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