Metal Name Plates
Superior durability, attractive finish and resistant to harsh conditions, metal nameplates are the right choice for applications that require important information such as company branding, loadings, ratings and safety information to be clearly communicated, and remain legible for many years.
Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Brass are the most commonly used substrates, Information can be etched into the surface of these metals as well as surface printed or engraved.
There are several options for mounting, such as mounting holes ready for rivets or screws, or adhesive backings – which are specified according to the material being adhered to.
Electronic Imaging offer many options – simply contact us and we will provide technical advice, free samples and a no obligation quote.
Materials
Electronic Imaging’s metal name plates are most commonly made from Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Brass substrates, but also from tin plate and aluminium foil. Material gauge depends on the application and such things as what mechanical strength the plate is required to have, the type of finish, and what environment the plate will be placed in. Material finish varies depending on the metal selection – visit the specific metal pages for Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Brass for further details.
Variable Information
Many nameplates require unique or variable rating information to be printed onto the plates. This can be achieved in several ways, by printing or chemical etching, by diamond scratch engraving or laser engraving, or for serialised numbers, by sequentially stamping numbers onto the plates with a press.
For higher volume applications where variable information is added to nameplates, Electronic Imaging can provide management of the plates by holding the manufactured “blanks” in stock, and adding the variable information on an order by order basis as required. Contact Electronic Imaging for further information.
Mounting of Nameplates
Mounting holes ready for rivets or screws can be supplied in the plates, and/or specialty adhesive backing can be applied – which are selected to suit the material the plate will be adhered to.
Decoration and Durability
For the most durable graphic images, Electronic Imaging chemically etch images into the surface of the metal plate. Specially formulated inks are then either screen printed or paint filled into the etched plates. The plates are then baked to cure the inks. The name plates can be decorated on both sides if required.
Because the images and inks are recessed into the surface of the plate, they are less susceptible to damage from surface abrasion, and because the images have been etched into the plates, even if the inks were somehow scratched away, the etched impression is still visible.
Further decoration can include a clear sprayed protective coating (in particular for brass nameplates) lamination of protective film and the depositing of Resin onto the finished plates to form a domed resin nameplate is also possible..
Quality Assurance
A fair amount of science goes into making metal nameplates. Experience has shown that tight control of the parameters that create interaction between metal and chemicals to etch and anodise nameplates will result in repeatable and superior products. For anodised plates, the anodic layer thickness for each batch is measured to be certain the process has resulted in a thick hardened layer for protection. For both anodising and etching, Electronic Imaging record and test each production batch to ensure consistent quality.
Aluminium Nameplates
Anodised Aluminium printed with sequential barcode and adhesive backer.
Embossed, anodised & screen printed aluminium.
Rating Plate made in anodised aluminium.
Embossed Braille in anodised aluminium.
Anodised Aluminium is an ideal choice for permanent labeling where durability is important.
Suitable for use in tough environments, where resistance to high temperatures, wear and abrasion is required, or where plastic or paper labels would otherwise not withstand the conditions.
Electronic Imaging offer many options – simply contact us and we will provide technical advice, free samples and a no obligation quote.
Applications
Nameplates are used to brand and identify equipment and convey information, such as operating instructions, loads, tolerances, limits, rating and safety information.
Applications include:
- Valves Tags
- Rating plates
- VIN Plates
- Compliance Plates
- Chain Tags
- Control Panels
- Asset Tags
- Brand Identification
- Fire Door Rating Plates
- Promotional Items/Business Cards
- Dials & Scales
The etched background of the aluminium leaves the text raised in this example.
Methods Of Decoration
Aluminium can be surface printed with inks, printed with dye after anodizing, and can be caustic etched and then paint filled. The most common method of decoration is to anodize and then print dye (see Anodising). Surface printing is employed in instances where colour is important and specific PMS colours are required, or where special inks are required, for example to withstand extreme temperature. Etching and Paint filling is employed either for decorative effect or in applications where the extra security of an etched image is needed.
Anodised Aluminium: Screenprinted and Embossed
Serialised numbers and sequential Barcodes can be imprinted onto metal plates by various methods such as:
- Printing unique serialised barcodes)
- Etching images & numbers.
- Laser Engraving
- Stamp Embossing sequential digits.
- Diamond Scratch Engraving
Grades & Gauges
Electronic Imaging offer a range of gauges from 0.2mm to 3mm in various grades. A choice is made on the thickness of material based on application.
- How will the plate be shaped?
- What other processes will be used that will affect material selection?
- Does the plate carry any load?
- How is the plate to be mounted?
Shapes & Sizes
Depending on material selection, the plates can be cut out, pressed out, knifed to shape or laser cut. A large range of standard press tool shapes is available or we can manufacture press tools to suit specific custom designs. We also offer finishing Corner cropping and pressing of various size holes, embossing of text and symbols for decoration, or function such as Braille can be achieved.
Warning tab: Anodised, Screen printed and knifed shape.
Mounting
We can press holes into the metal plates for mounting with rivets or screws. Plates can also be mounted by welding to units at the point of manufacture.
For ease of application, backing adhesives can be applied which are suitable for adhering to a range of substrates, such as metal, plastic and powder coated surfaces. Many of the adhesives are suitable for outdoor applications.
Why an Aluminium Nameplate is Durable
The anodising process builds a thick film of aluminium oxide on the surface of the aluminium, after this a dye is screen printed into the porous layer. Once printing is completed, the pores are sealed, which traps the inks into the surface of the material. The sealing process changes the chemical composition of the aluminium, creating a hard mineral layer (Boehmite), which provides added protection from corrosion, and improves resistance to abrasion and wear.
By combining the physical properties of anodized aluminium with specialist inks the resulting name plate image is colour fast, permanent and durable, and has the appearance of a clean, modern looking label.
Stainless Steel Nameplates
High quality look, superior durability, for harsh environments.
Stainless Steel is an ideal choice of material for permanent labeling. It has a high resistance to corrosion, high resistance to temperature extremes, is resistant to most chemicals, is strong, easy to clean and athsetically pleasing.
Electronic Imaging offer many options – simply contact us and we will provide technical advice, free samples and a no obligation quote.
Applications
Nameplates are used to brand and identify equipment and convey information, such as operating instructions, loads, tolerances, limits, rating and safety information.
Applications include:
- Serial Plates
- Rating plates
- VIN Plates
- Valve Tags
- Compliance Plates
- Chain Tags
- Control Panels
- Asset Tags
- Brand Identification
- Dials & Scales
- Instruction Panels
- Certification Plates
- Award Plaques
Methods of decoration
For the longest life image, Stainless Steel plates are decorated by chemical etching an image into the surface of the metal – typically 0.25mm in depth. This process leaves a legible image. The etching can then be colour filled with a two pot spray for decoration, (although this is not necessary for legibility). Mutiple colours can be used for decoration, and specific PMS colours for branding are able to be applied. Because the decoration fills in the etched portion of the material, rather than on the surface of the material, if is not susceptible to the same degree of surface abrasion, chipping or scratching that surface printed metal plates might be.
Serialised numbers and sequential Barcodes can be imprinted onto metal plates by various methods such as:
- Printing (Serialised Barcodes)
- Etching
- Laser Engraving
- Stamp Embossing
- Diamond Scratch Engraving
Gauges / Grades
Electronic Imaging offer a range of gauges from 0.55mm to 3mm in various grades. A choice is made on the thickness of material based on application.
- How will the plate be shaped?
- What other processes will be used that will affect material selection?
- Does the plate carry any load?
- How is the plate to be mounted?
- Will the plate be exposed to seawater?
Shapes & Sizes
Depending on material selection, the plates can be cut out, pressed out, or laser cut. A large range of standard press tool shapes is available or we can manufacture press tools to suit specific custom designs. We also offer finishing such as corner cropping and pressing of various size holes.
Mounting
We can press holes into the metal plates for mounting with rivets or screws. Plates can also be mounted by welding to units at the point of manufacture.
For ease of application, backing adhesives can be applied which are suitable for adhering to a range of substrates, such as metal, plastic and powder coated surfaces. Many of the adhesives are suitable for outdoor applications and will be specified to meet individual requirements.
Brass
An Etched background highlights a bright eyecatching logo and black print on this pressed nameplate.
Electronic Imaging offer many options – simply contact us and we will provide technical advice, free samples and a no obligation quote.
