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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.
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This article focuses on combining specialized printing with a common tool to create unique looks across your brand. Callaway used this approach to differentiate their clubs designed for men and women. Each version is distinctly colored to appeal to the individual end user.
The men’s nameplate includes navy blue and black inks highlighted and separated by bright aluminum trim. The large X in the center is mechanically spun to create a circular pattern on the aluminum. While somewhat simple colors are utilized together, a custom look is created and the brand is very evident on the badge.
The nameplate created for the women’s clubs includes a mother of pearl coloration, which is created using our four color process. To accent this pearl look, a gold tint has been added to the exposed aluminum on the X and the trim. The same navy blue ink color used on the men’s version is also used here to contrast the pearl and gold and allow both accents to stand out.
No matter which version you purchase, a unique look and recognizable brand is sure to get noticed while on the course.
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.
Circles, squares and rectangles are the most popular shapes used in nameplate design. The simplicity of the shapes serves as a background to logos with a similar shape or as a unifying space for asymmetrical logos. This post is a follow up to my recent post focused on rectangular nameplates. Here I share with you examples of square nameplates. Squares are probably the most common shape we encounter day to day, one of the first shapes we learn to recognize. Square nameplates can be customized to create endless options in your product branding. Stock dies are an economical option in designing your square nameplate. They are offered in a variety of sizes with square or radiused corners. The versatility and simplicity of square nameplates is what makes them so popular. If you come across any more that you think stand out, tell me about them in the comments below.
The household name, Spalding, is featured here in the form of a gold nameplate. This nameplate incorporates bright aluminum, gold tint and printed matte black lettering.
Spalding began in 1876 by former major league baseball player A.G. Spalding. Since the beginning, the company has been known as the leader of innovation and quality in sporting goods. This reputation started with the production baseballs and baseball gloves. From there, footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, baseball bats, driveway basketball hoops and golf balls have all been recognized through the Spalding brand. Some of these products also became official sporting equipment of the MLB, NBA, WNBA, Arena Football Leagues and professional volleyball. Though most of us were not fortunate enough to become professional athletes, Spalding equipment graces our garages and driveways.
The diamond cutting process generates crisp detail and a highly polished look for your badge or nameplate. Through a two-step progression the desired area is first embossed, or raised slightly from the original surface. Following the emboss operation, a thin layer of aluminum is removed to reveal the bright qualities lying underneath. The samples shown here illustrate a few of the options available to you when choosing the diamond cut process. We would be happy to discuss these options and more with you during the design of your product branding. Nameplate samples are available to help you make these decisions.
from left: coarse phalanx, fine zebra, fine phalanx The diamond cut technique can be used as an accent to a color or logo on a nameplate, or simply stand on its own to create impact for your brand. The crisp precision and dimension of the diamond cut process elevates customization and product identification. Do you have a favorite look? Is there a diamond cut nameplate that stands out to you?
For More Information on the Diamond Cut Process:
Four Diamond Cut Nameplate Options10 Inspiring Diamond Cut NameplatesDiamond Cut Aluminum Sign
Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options in diamond cutting and many other processes available to you in creating your product branding.
This Sephora nameplate features a dimensional custom pattern highlighted by an embossed surface. As part of its 2009 campaign, the designers chose two varying looks for the encasement of the eye shadow palettes. Each look serves as a representation of the shadows inside.
Shown in two different color options, the blue is the "Calypso Soul Palette" which features five varying tones of eye shadow, including a blue slightly lighter than the cover. To achieve this look, the aqua blue ink is selectively screen printed leaving the pattern one-side bright which is then embossed . The white design is titled "Moroccan Sunrise Palette" and holds five shadows of varying mild brown tones with a metallic shimmer. Utilizing the same tooling, a white dye is paired with the transparent gold embossed pattern.
Although these nameplates are the same size and shape for both options, the color optimization gives a considerably different look and provides an easy product distinction.
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.
When it comes to designing your nameplate, shape is a very important consideration. There are several common shapes that allow for various applications and design options.The rectangular shape allows for mechanical finishes to be easily integrated on your label or badge design. This shape is versatile and utilized across many markets. Above are several examples of rectangular nameplates.
This article is part of a series of articles from my co-workers on their favorite nameplates. Barb Smith, our guest blogger this week, has chosen a nameplate that appealed to her based on its elegance and uniqueness.
3 Critical Considerations in Designing a Nameplate
Are you designing a nameplate or emblem to represent your brand? If so, you're considering finishes, shape and dimension. And, you need to understand how all of these decisions impact the cost.
If you don't understand the basics of the manufacturing process, you may not be getting the most out of your efforts.
Aluminum nameplates that you see here have one thing in common; they are all decorated in the flat sheet. This offers distinct advantages in the design of your product identification while helping to control costs.
1. All decoration is done in the flat sheet with multiples on the sheet. This is cost effective since numerous parts are being processed at once rather than piece finishing.
2. Decorating in the flat sheet allows for critical registration between colors, finishes and dimensional graphics. Print developments aid in aligning printed decoration to embossed graphics and formed borders.
3. Decorating in the sheet also allows for finishes to be applied selectively. Mechanical finishes, such as brush or spin, are not limited to overall application. They can be combined with bright graphics. In addition, gloss and matte finishes can be integrated into one design. Finally, textures and patterns can be added to create detail and add interest.
Don't hesitate to explore the numerous options available to you in building your product identification. Subtle changes can make a big difference. Understanding critical considerations allows you to push boundaries -- while staying within budget.
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