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The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
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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!
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It is now time to submit your nameplate artwork to your customer service representative at Northern Engraving. File sizes larger than 10MB can be submitted to our FTP upon request. If you are unsure of who your customer service representative is, please contact graphics@norcorp.com (please include the part number and your contact information).
For best results and to minimize delay, send electronic vector based files and include print outs of your art for reference. You can find more information by clicking here about lead time, color specification and sample parts.
Designing your nameplate to be in alignment with your branding strategy strengthens your brand message in the marketplace. Concept drawings help you explore the possibilities available in the design of your nameplate. Options in size, layout and finish are evaluated quickly and economically. Our designers offer experience in the wide variety of processes available and can work with you to interpret your brand.
Prototypes are useful in making final decisions about overall appearance of your product branding or accent trim prior to production. Northern Engraving offers flexibility in prototyping to meet your requirements whether you are designing embossed and formed nameplates or accent trim with complex shapes. Prototypes are available flat and formed.
Click here to check out our prototype resource page.
Doming protects a nameplate while giving it a three-dimensional look. Domed nameplates are a simple and cost effective way to make your company logo or product name pop. You will find domed nameplates and labels used on consumer products, vehicles, POP displays and anywhere else a durable attention-getting graphic is needed. The three-dimensional lens is durable enough for indoor or outdoor applications.
Doming is a popular technique used on aluminum, brass, polycarbonate and polyester nameplates. Options in domed nameplates include full color graphics with transparent tints of color or metallic effects. Check out our Domed Nameplate presentation below to learn more.
This photo features finish samples with the doming process applied to them. They illustrate the depth created with doming.
Check out our Domed Gallery to see all the possibilies available to you in designing a cost-effective, attention-getting nameplate.
Request nameplate samples to see for yourself.
You are in luck because we have a plethora of resources available to guide you in creating a striking, one-of-a-kind nameplate.
It is easy to overlook some of these steps and end up spending time redesigning the nameplate. Click here to see a quick checklist to use when working on a new nameplate.
In order to get the most out of the vast options and techniques available for your nameplate, it is important to first understand the manufacturing process. Here is a short slideshow to take you from beginning to end.
Because there are so many possibilites and options available to you in designing your nameplate, we have written about our favorite nameplates to help filter through all the possibilities. Click here to view 20 inspirational nameplates for your next design. Below are links to some of our co-workers favorite namplates.
In addition, we have a nameplate resource page with many more helpful articles. As a world-leading producer of product identification, we have a product to fit your needs, no matter what your budget and style. Contact us today to investigate options and let our experienced Design staff help to walk you through.
A diamond cut offers a crisp, distinct look. The graphics are first embossed and then diamond cut into one of four cuts: phalanx, skive, zebra or star.
Above are three zebra diamond cut nameplates. Zebra diamond cut consists of a series of tightly spaced cuts creating visable lines. This process is the most popular of the four techniques and offers a variety of looks ranging from fine to coarse.
The Harley-Davidson example is more coarse. The KitchenAid nameplate's cuts are hard to capture as the diamond cut is very fine, however you are able to feel the grooves if you run your fingernail over it as well as see them if you look close enough. The RCA nameplate's diamond cut is not as coarse as the Harley-Davidson example. It falls somewhere in between, as the zebra diamond cut is more visable than the KitchenAid example.
I first saw the zebra diamond cut on the RCA nameplate when I was a child. I remember running my fingers over it on the television remote control and feeling the texture. Can you think of any other common nameplates that have the zebra diamond cut? This technique is an excellent option to add interest to your nameplate.
Request samples to see the endless options available to you for your nameplate or label.
There are multiple options available to you in nameplate design. The nameplates below all have the commonality of using green, however they use different techniques to achieve the overall design.
The nVIDIA nameplate uses a high gloss texture to create depth and shine. When combined with the low gloss background, the logo catches your eye. Selective gloss is applied to aluminum, brass or steel through screen printing. The gloss of a color or pattern will have an effect on the perceived color of an object. The lower the gloss the lighter the color will look.
Ping's RAPTURE nameplate utilizes embossing and adds a green tint over the engine turn to create a shimmer. Mechanical surfaces have long been core finishes for aluminum nameplates and trim. Movement and depth created by grinding the surface of the metal adds perceived value for your brand.
The Purepoint Laser nameplate uses a combination of spin and printed halftones to add movement and depth for a look of precision on the nameplate. The combination of embossed white graphics on a matte silver background creates a clean look.
Hitachi's nameplate uses a green tint over a brushed aluminum surface which creates a softer look. A brushed aluminum surface is popular because it is an authentic metal surface. It is a mechanical process which abrades the surface of the metal.
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.
Diamond T’s were manufactured in Chicago beginning in the 1905 and eventually merged with Reo and became Diamond Reo’s. During their time of manufacture, they were considered to be the “Cadillac of Trucks” and had many features not available on standard working vehicles including roll out front windows and vents. The most distinctive element of the Diamond T is its stainless steel front grille with several horizontal “teeth”. Looking much like a modern semi-tractor, their pickup trucks are the most rare and highly prized by collectors.
Diamond T pickups sported a “nose piece” that included a black cloisonné emblem with a gold “T” in the center and framed by gold in a diamond pattern. These emblems are often lost or damaged and are not available as parts or replacements since the company is no longer in business.
Pictured above is the recreated nameplate for the Diamond T Truck. Clear ink is screened to create a filigree texture that you can see and feel.
Northern Engraving has been an instrumental part of automobile manufacturing for over a century and many of the early medallions were developed by previous leaders of the company. As I work with restoration specialists, they are quick to mention Northern Engraving as the maker of ornamental pieces on collector cars and trucks.
Knowing the history and having personal experience and relationships with many at Northern Engraving, it was only logical for me to choose Northern Engraving to make the reproduction pieces for America’s finest trucks. The results of the manufacturing efforts are a beautiful representation of Diamond T history.
Carbon fiber finishes on aluminum are considered by designers of everything from automobiles and televisions to golf clubs and exercise equipment. Layering a printed carbon fiber finish over an engine turn finish disguises the engine turn. The result is a surface with movement that is not recognizable as an engine turn. The flash of the small overlapping spins is added to the carbon fiber finish, as seen in the first nameplate above.
The texture in the second nameplate adds another layer of dimension to carbon fiber finishes. It can be combined with selective brushing or engine turn or used only with printing. Texture adds richness and a tactile quality to the printed surface - a desirable sense of touch and feel.
In the last nameplate, use of selective brushing creates an interactive surface with movement.
Read more about creating depth on aluminum with selective brushing, engine turn and printed texture.
View our case study of the Dodge Charger inerior aluminum trim using a woven carbon fiber micro pattern.
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