Archive: Apr 2021

Different Thicknesses of Nameplates and Their Uses

When choosing a metal for making your company’s nameplates, one of the most important considerations is the material’s thickness. The metal nameplate thickness affects the finished product’s durability and the level of detail you can add to it.

Generally, the thicker the material, the more rigid it will be. However, be sure to have your nameplate thin enough to avoid any protruding metal from your parts which can be risk of injury to passing personnel. Rigidity, also known as stiffness, indicates a metal’s resistance to bending. On the other hand, strength refers to the material’s degree of protection against breakage. You’ll want to consider both factors.

How Thickness Impacts a Metal Nameplate

Does thickness matter with nameplates? It will, as it directly affects the outcome of your nameplate projects. Aluminum is one example of a metal commonly used in nameplate manufacturing. One of the benefits of this material is its expansive thickness range — from 0.002 inches to 0.063 inches. Your applications and project requirements should guide you when choosing from thicknesses such as:

• .002: This extremely thin aluminum is soft and malleable, making it a good choice when needed a foil label application. Affixing the plate with an adhesive offers a more practical solution to rivets or holes.
• .008: While still relatively thin, this aluminum thickness level won’t bend as easily as a .002 measurement. It provides enough rigidity for less demanding nameplate uses. You can find this type of material thickness call out for blueprints in: control panel or airplane labels.
• .012: This thickness level gives you a cost-effective manufacturing solution that resists bending. Use it for nameplates on doors, desks and other locations where bending could be an issue. Because this degree of thickness produces a lightweight aluminum product, you can affix it to the desired surface with adhesives.
• .016: This aluminum thickness level falls under the “somewhat rigid” category.
• .020: For many projects, this thickness delivers the ideal combination of rigidity and functionality. Because of this versatility, you can use this measurement for aluminum nameplate marking projects that involve etching, engraving, digital printing and many other methods. You can affix the finished plate with rivets or adhesives.
• .032: If your project requires an extremely thick plate, this thickness offers the right mix of durability and flexibility. It’s often the best choice when you need to add a high volume of information. Examples of this thickness are similar to the thickness of a credit card.
• .063: As one of the thicker “nameplate standard” aluminum used to manufacture nameplates, this version provides maximum rigidity and superior strength. You won’t be able to bend the finished product by hand. It’s also compatible with various marking methods. Consider this thickness for larger nameplates that require screw or bracket mounting; however, adhesive is always optional!
• .125: This aluminum can be brought in for special jobs and printed to your specifics. If your blueprint or drawing calls out for a thickness of 0.125″ or more call our salesman to discuss the best process for making your nameplate.

Learn More About Nameplate Thickness and Uses

As a leading manufacturer and marker of nameplates, labels and decals for a wide range of industries, American Nameplate can help you determine the ideal thickness of nameplate for your project. We have extensive experience working with aluminum and other materials such as stainless steel and brass.

Contact us online or give us a call at 800-878-6186 for more information.

How Embossed Nameplates Are Made

Companies that utilize nameplates or decals for product identification and other purposes have numerous options for marking them. Embossing is one technique that offers unique marking when creating custom metal tags for your products, equipment or machinery.

What Is Embossing?

The embossing process involves marking a metal surface with a raised design or lettering. The result is a three-dimensional image that is eye popping and unique for customers to see. Businesses in industries such as automotive, product manufacturing, and furniture manufacturing often choose to emboss their nameplates and decals to make a product stand out or convey crucial information, like weight, directions and brand messaging, more clearly.

How Embossing Works

The embossed metal nameplates process relies on pressure to raise the text or image on a metal substrate. The manufacturer uses two custom dies to mark an “impression” into the chosen metal material. A male die consists of raised engraving on the face, while its female counterpart features a sunken matched copy.

To emboss the metal, the operator places the material between the two dies affixed to a machine press. The press applies substantial force to squeeze them together. The metal is pressed between both the male and female die component.

This technique raises the text or image on the surface to produce the desired 3D effect. It’s also possible to implement various finishing techniques to enhance the appearance of an embossed nameplate. You can select a brushed or milled finish or one that’s more polished to create an ornamental look.

Benefits of the Embossing Process

Many businesses choose to emboss their products to gain a marketing advantage. You can improve user awareness by making an image or text easier to see. A company logo embossed onto an item, for example, can generate more brand recognition due to its heightened visibility.

Embossed nameplates are also surprisingly durable. Although the technique softens the metal, it hardens upon cooling and creates additional strength. What’s more, embossed nameplates can withstand harsh operating environments, resulting in a longer lifespan.

Which Metals Work Best With Embossing?

The embossing process is compatible with various metal materials including but not limited to: Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Brass. Contact our sales team today to discuss the most cost effective option. Other possibilities include zinc, corrosion-resistant steel (CRS) and brass.

Learn More About How Embossed Metal Labels Are Created

American Nameplate has been providing high-quality nameplates, labels, tags, decals and specialty products since 1934. We’re experts when it comes to the embossing process. We’ll work with you to create a custom solution that meets your unique product identification, branding, or informational requirements.

Want to learn more about how embossing works and how these metal labels can help your business? Give us a call at 800-878-6186 or contact us online today!

Benefits of Industrial Labels

Labels such as nameplates and decals are standard items in many areas of industry. You can find them on products, equipment, machinery and more. They serve a variety of purposes, such as identifying items and ingredients and providing usage and safety instructions.

Why Industrial Labeling Is Important

You can find numerous reasons to use industrial labels in your business or manufacturing operations. Here are a few of the top benefits.

1. Enhanced Organization

A factory floor or warehouse is often a cluttered environment, making it hard to find products, tools and other items quickly. Labeling improves organization by identifying and marking shelving and other storage areas. Your workers will spend less time looking for what they need, increasing their productivity.

2. Compliance

One of the most important benefits of industrial labels is helping you achieve regulatory compliance. These days, businesses and organizations must adhere to stringent OSHA regulations when creating and maintaining a safe work environment. For example, if you manufacture or use hazardous chemicals or other materials, you must mark the containers to alert workers of the potential dangers. Labels help you accomplish this objective and stay compliant.

3. Deterring Theft

Does your business utilize small, expensive tools or electronics? Preventing the theft of these valuable items is another advantage of industrial identification labels. They enable you to permanently mark these objects and identify your company as their owner. Thieves will think twice about stealing them from your facility or attempting to sell them for a quick profit.

4. Training New Employees

Labels in the form of signs can be extremely beneficial when onboarding and training new hires. They can provide essential company information, like directions that help workers navigate the facility more easily. By helping to speed up the orientation and acclimation process, labels enable these workers to become productive team members faster.

5. Quality Control

Labels add value to the quality control process in a manufacturing environment. The ability to scan barcodes, for instance, can reduce data entry errors, ensuring more accurate product information. Labels also increase traceability, resulting in fewer lost or missing products.

6. Customer Satisfaction

Does your company manufacture sophisticated or complex products? Labels can provide instructions to help your customers use the items more easily and safely. You can also offer care and maintenance guidelines to ensure owners get the maximum benefit and a longer product lifespan.

7. Product Recalls

Manufacturing defects can happen from time to time, even when you implement the most stringent quality control protocols. Labels that include batch, lot or serial numbers will make any damaged items easier to trace and identify. You can get the damaged goods out of circulation faster and avoid the cost and waste of recalling defect-free products.

8. Brand Awareness

Want to bring awareness to your company’s new product line? Etch, screen print, or engrave a company logo, informational directions, or product information on your nameplate for quick reference. This can build your company’s manufacturing reputation, grain consumer recognition and even identity your trade marks.

Contact American Nameplate to Learn More

Are you still wondering why businesses should invest in industrial nameplates or other labels? American Nameplate has the answers. As a leading manufacturer of labels for industries such as aerospace, automotive and construction, we understand the value of these small but essential items. Contact us online or give us a call at 800-878-6186 to learn more. You can also request a quote online.

Choose the Best Marking for Your Nameplate

A metal nameplate can say a lot about a business, product or individual. It can provide access to valuable information. When selecting a nameplate, though, your message isn’t the only thing to think about. You’ll also need to determine the best fit nameplate marking method. You might be surprised at the broad assortment of marking methods for nameplates that are available these days. Exploring the various types can help you make an informed choice.

Which Nameplate Marking Should I Choose?

Examples of the numerous nameplate marking options include:

• Etched: The etching process entails using strong acids or chemicals to cut into a metal surface. One of the benefits of this marking method for nameplates is that the depth of the etching ensures the product information is permanently visible for the end user. Consider this method for producing model numbers, manufacturing dates or serial numbers on items such as manufacturing equipment, aircraft or military vehicles.
• Screen printed: Screen printing offers a cost-effective solution for placing colored logos or graphics on equipment. This multi-step process involves covering the metal surface with a mesh screen and using a squeegee-type applicator to apply an epoxy or ink. A final surface coating seals the color and protects it from wear. These nameplates and printed using spot colors.
• Photo sealed: This technique provides the best marking for nameplates made of aluminum. The method involves screening ink onto an unfinished, unsealed piece of aluminum and applying a finishing chemical layer to create a permanent seal. Because the ink is on the inner service instead of atop the plate, it’s not likely to scratch off.
• Digital: Digital printing is typically the best marking method for nameplates when working with uniquely colored designs, half tones, or gradient colors. This technique offers ample opportunities for customization and a host of fabrication options, such as holes, rounded corners and various adhesives.
• Embossed: Choose the embossing technique if you want a raised surface for your letters and numbers to make them more visible and legible. The process involves squeezing the metal between two custom die cuts to form a pressurized force to bump up (or down) your specified copy content.
• Engraved: Engraving works well with either metal or plastic nameplates. This computer-generated technique uses a rotating tool to gently cut into the material at the desired depth. It’s also possible to engrave with a carbon dioxide laser to produce two-dimensional barcodes on stainless steel or aluminum surfaces.

American Nameplate Can Help You Pick the Best Nameplate Marking

At American Nameplate, we can create and mark custom nameplates for a wide range of industries and organizations, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, safety, OEM manufacturers and municipalities. We also have the expertise to help you select nameplate marking that delivers the best results for your materials and applications. Our well-trained, highly skilled craftsman use state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge techniques to create products that stand the test of time.

Contact us online to learn more about our products and services today. You can also give us a call at 800-878-6186 or fill out and submit our quote request form.