Nameplate Blog

The new Victory motorcycle badge incorporates deep drawn bright aluminum to give the part a substantial presence on the bikes while fine details in finishing make the badges more than just another piece of chrome.

The use of selective brushing and a vivid transparent red ink draw your attention to the Victory “V”. Selective brushing is a mechanical process which abrades the surface of the metal, creating an authentic metal surface. Brushed metal combines with standard nameplate processes to increase perceived value.

The "V" is further accented by a selective application of urethane lens to add visual depth. Urethane doming is a clear coating applied over the transparent tint, and achieves a high-end finish that makes the badge stand out. Reflections move on the urethane surface as the viewer's point of view changes.

The Victory motorcycle badge was an exciting design and engineering challenge for both Victory Motorcycles and Northern Engraving. We were able to give them the uniqueness and customization they desired through selective applications.

Learn more about the challenges and innovative solutions involved in the design and manufacturing of this part in our case study.

Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your custom product branding.

Nameplate for High End Funiture Created Using a Stock Die

Benefits to Using a Stock Die

Have you ever tried being creative with a design while saving money? If so, you'll know that it's difficult because every additional process adds to the overall cost of the part.

So what do you do? Many people have found success using our nameplate stock dies, which offer a cost savings while allowing for branding creativity. But there are a few things you should know before you implement a stock die into your design to ensure it is the best choice for your brand.

If you're looking for a way to save money when designing your nameplate or badge, the best method to ensure you end up with the look you desire is by considering the following items:

• Does your design lend itself to a standard geometric shape? Stock dies are available in circles, squares and rectangles.
• Will the nameplate be applied to a flat surface? Standard stock dies are flat and available with pressure sensitive adhesive.
• What are the specifications or test requirements for your application? Our customer service representatives will work with you to explain all the options available to you.

Some great bonus features of using a stock die include: a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and reduction of project completion time.

Now that you know more about how to save money on your next nameplate design, you can contact one of our customer service representatives to learn about additional options.

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.

Plastic overlays, nameplates or labels used on medical devices need to be flexible and durable to optimize the life of the product and logo, while aesthetically representing the brand. One of the most important demands of medical device end-users is the readability of the screen. If the display is not treated with a surface layer, the information on the device cannot be read properly, especially under certain lighting conditions. A protective film reduces light reflections by 90% and allows relaxed reading of displays. This increases reliability and accuracy for the medical information being provided.

The glucometer above features a decorative plastic overlay with a clear window covering the screen, which provides visualization of information from the display. To optimize aesthetics and function, the plastic overlay has a gray border with a clear window for screen visibility. This part is an in-molded decoration, which allows an accurate snap-fit onto the glucometer. No adhesive is needed for assembly.

Medical device overlays increase the longevity of the product as well as accurately represent the quality of the brand. What will your next overlay design include?

Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.

Have you ever been challenged with making a key part of your of your nameplate or product branding stand out?  If so, you are not alone. There are numerous options to consider from diamond cutting and embossing to mechanical finishes and doming. Some nameplates are designed to give the illusion of one part fused to another. This unique process, selective doming, is desired by customers looking to set their brand apart from the competition.

Selective doming is a process in which a nameplate or label has a clear lens applied to a selected area. This application gives the illusion of a secondary piece assembled to the original nameplate, creating a dimensional, jewel-like, focal point.

Some commonly asked questions and answers about the process include:

• What are the available substrate options?
• A nameplate or badge with the selective doming can be created on both aluminum and flexible plastic substrates. 

• Can I still utilize the finish and color options in my original design?
• Absolutely - the addition of color or texture will only be enhanced with the addition of a dome.

Below are a few examples of nameplates with the selective doming application.

Polycarbonate

Aluminum

Whether working on metal or flexible substrates, selective doming is an eye-catching option for adding a rich three-dimensional look to your product branding while highlighting key areas. The durable urethane dome is a polished way to differentiate everything from electronics and sporting goods to cosmetics and appliances.  

Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.

3-D Logos and Emblems

High-quality, three dimensional nameplates are custom-designed to suit products in many industries. Northern Engraving now offers 3-D stock dies to support your needs for cost-effective product identification with minimized lead time. Consumers naturally associate quality with an attractive representation of brand labeling. These quality custom metal nameplates designed in any color and finish are an attention-getting option for your brand.

3-D Nameplate Advantages
•Versatile
•Durable
•Attractive

Custom Three-Dimensional Nameplates

Represent your product with brand identification permanently imprinted on metal. Your custom nameplate is produced within five weeks of receipt of order. Whether you need 100 or 100,000 nameplates, our Class A hard tools will meet your needs. Electronic artwork is all we need to get started. Request a quote today and we will work with you to make sure your product branding stands out from the competition!

Custom 3-D Nameplate Facts
•Free custom color matching
•Durable adhesive attachment
•Optional patterns and textures
•Attractive brushed and spun options

Options in 3-D Stock Dies
•IN#206357  1” Round
•IN#206356  2” Round
•IN#206358  2.2” x 2.5” Rectangle
•IN#206362  1” x 1.25” Rectangle

Watch for regular additions to the 3-D stock die library. Unique ideas and applications are available. Contact one of our innovative sales representatives to discover the latest trends in brand identification.

Copper is a recent trend in design for the interior and exterior of our home. So, why not incorporate this trend in a nameplate design? Achieving the look of copper on an aluminum substrate is a relatively simple and cost-effective process to enhance the look of your badge.

To obtain this look, copper tints and metallic copper finishes are available. Tinting the aluminum substrate allows the brightness of the metal to shine through. A tint can be applied over a mechanical finish, highlighting its design and varying the copper tones when the nameplate or badge is in motion. In addition, a brushed aluminum can be utilized to create a slight linear pattern, adding visual interest. Using a metallic copper finish achieves a subtle texture while keeping the true color of copper consistent through the use of metal pigments (flakes). The finish covers the original substrate creating the appearance of etched metal.

The following nameplate examples highlight each aspect of the design and include description of which processes are used on each example. This is just a small sample of the many options available for your design considerations.

Background: copper technical finish 
Peace: low gloss brushed copper tint
Happiness: low gloss brushed copper tint, matte black lettering

Background: white border, copper finish with gradated black fade
Peace: copper tint
Happiness: metallic copper finish, white lettering

Background: copper technical finish
Peace: high gloss brushed copper tint
Happiness: low gloss brushed copper tint, matte black lettering

Background: copper technical finish
Peace: high gloss copper tinted engine stripe
Happiness: white, copper tinted lettering

Background: white technical finish
Peace: low gloss copper tinted engine stripe
Happiness: low gloss copper tint, white lettering

Now that you have seen several combinations of incorporating copper finishes into your brand, keep in mind the array of design possibilities that extend beyond the above examples. The addition of mechanical finishes and color processes can enhance your brand image and result in an eye-catching and recognizable end product.

How will you incorporate copper finishes into your next design?

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.

Are you interested in changing the look of your nameplate without an overall design change? There are several processes that can be added to an existing nameplate to enhance the overall appeal. The examples above include the original design, the silver-on-silver version, which was created for one of our holiday cards, sent to our customers in the month of December each year. Adding several colors, along with removing a border changed the look of this particular design.

The various processes available when creating a nameplate or badge are highlighted on both pieces, showing the multitude of choices in processes and color combinations, and how well they can work with one another. Some of the processes featured include: 3D emboss, diamond cutting, and the use of metallic color processes. While the silver-on-silver version is elegant, it was important that we also develop a version in color to show the options available when transitioning from silver-on-silver to all-over color, and how the look of a nameplate can be changed with the addition of color.

No matter which look you prefer, the countless choices are evident. Keep these looks in mind the next time you create your nameplate or badge.

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.

A colleague recently mentioned: "There are so many nameplates produced at Northern Engraving that are located throughout our homes and we often look past them." Daily use of an item causes us to forget what brand it is or how long ago it was purchased, and a new focus is directed toward its function.

A remote, for example, is readily used, especially since the amount of televisions in a home has dramatically increased in the last few years. As a child I remember the remote my grandparents had for their only television. It was a Magnavox (very similar to the one pictured) and functioned for a majority of my childhood. Though somewhat irrelevant in terms of the fondest of memories from my time spent with my grandparents, looking at a faceplate from that remote does bring back some very special memories from that time period.

What brands can you recall from your past?

Request a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide to begin exploring the options available to you in creating your product branding.