Identity Solutions

process
Litho printed aluminum
Crimped aluminum
Aluminm in-mold  

application
Mustang Concept Car 

challenge
•Duplicate look and feel of leather on aluminum

solution
Ford designers carried their custom theme across the aluminum trim in this concept car with a decidedly non-aluminum finish.  The wrapped leather trim is aluminum printed with a custom faux leather finish.  The unique finish is an economical option making use of the production tooling.  Development of the finish began with baby hornback crocodile skin.  Our designers translated the leather finish onto aluminum using a combination of traditional metal decorating processes.  Key to the success of the concept was alignment of the pattern across mating parts in the vehicle.

process
Selective brush and printing

application
Ranger Boats Z521 Commanche

challenge
•Support the high performance and aggressive styling of the bass boat by integrating carbon fiber finish into aluminum trim

solution
A carbon fiber finish was chosen from our library of finishes on aluminum for the new Z251 Comanche.  Concept drawings were used to explore the placement of the carbon fiber and options in border width and design.  Recommendations were made to minimize costs.  The imitation carbon fiber has movement and depth created with a selective brush.  The low gloss carbon fiber finish is accented with a high gloss bright aluminum border.  The trim is cost effectively updated in following model years with a new metal finish changing the overall appearance of the dash trim.

process
Printed aluminum
Doming (norlens)

application
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzers

challenge
• Create a luxurious tortoise shell insert with depth

solution
The luxe, brown and gold flecked tortoise shell finish is printed on aluminum using transparent layers of ink which allow the reflective quality of the metal to show through.  The faux tortoise shell finish was custom developed on metal.  Perfection of the artwork, critical to the success of the program, involved collaboration between Estée Lauder and our designers.  Printed prototypes were used during the artwork progression process to fine tune the tortoise shell structure and overall color.  The application of a urethane dome to the metal insert makes the plaque an eye-catching durable solution for cosmetic packaging.