Nameplate Design -

Metal Nameplates - Design Guidelines

Metal nameplates render a look that cannot be found in other mediums. Metal nameplates from ID3 offer short run as well as full production quantities without expensive tooling. For guidelines to our various metal nameplates, please read our design tips.

Unlike our competitors, you work with ID3 president Steve Begor in all facets of the initial design phase. Steve works with every customer until the product actually hits the production floor. Have questions, looking for alternative looks, seeking design suggestions? Speak with Steve today!

You can fax prints, however black and white artwork should always be mailed or emailed. You can also send us print/artwork on a disk; we work with Windows and Macintosh, floppy or Zip Disk. If you have CAD files, you can email or send them on a disk; however, we need them in DXF format.

 We work in Illustrator, Freehand, Photoshop, Quark, 3D Pro, and Imagemaker.

Etched Zinc Nameplates/Logos

Etched Zinc (EZinc) nameplates are an excellent material/process for small quantities. Parts are etched on a specially treated zinc plate then are cut into individual jobs, painted and surface finished. Each nameplate is cut into itself and edge finished before the final polycoating. Because etched zinc nameplates are hand cut, all nameplates must have a background and should be rectangular, square or a circle design. When designing etched zinc nameplates for cuts that are more intricate than square corners, size is important--the bigger the better).

The maximum etch depth of etched zinc nameplates is .030" (deep etch) and are available in .032", .064", .125". You can also get up to .250"; your copy depth, however, should never exceed .030", and the deeper you go over .064" is just adding background. Most .064" nameplates look as visually exciting as their thicker counterparts.

Another element to remember when designing etched zinc nameplates is that zinc is expensive and heavy. The thicker or bigger you go will increase costs as well as freight expense.

Etched zinc nameplates are available in any color (we can match to any PMS color). The color is normally on the recessed area and must have raised metal surrounding the color to prevent runoff. If you only have one color on the copy, the color can be on raised copy, however that means that the background is painted not the color of zinc. In most cases, the background is painted a color; the copy and an outside border are the zinc. The zinc looks best with a brushed effect and can be over coated matte or gloss.

Etched zinc nameplates can be affixed to your product with holes (mechanical fastening) or adhesive. You can also have studs or posts, however these are welded on the back of the part and are only as strong as the weld and costly.

Aluminum Nameplates/Nameplates

Aluminum nameplates can be etched or screen printed. For a 3Dimensional nameplate, you can etch (recess) the copy or the background. Finding a company that does good embossing can be difficult as most embossing has a rolled edge and the copy is not very crisp.  At ID3, we etch the copy for the three dimensional effect, copy is crisp and colors are filled in the etched area. You can etch either the background or your copy, just remember when etching background with color fill - you must have a border.

Four color printed or screened aluminum can also give a very nice look when you have a multi-color logo. This type of aluminum nameplate can render multiple colors in tight registration. Background can be aluminum, anodized aluminum (gold), or a color. This type of nameplate has a more permanent feel and bolder colors than just a printed label. You can also have holes for mechanical fastening or pressure sensitive adhesive.

Aluminum nameplates are cut out of a sheet after etching and filling. Then they are trimmed, corners are cut and then anodized for added protection against the elements. Anodizing can be clear or a color.  Aluminum nameplates must be affixed using adhesive or holes.  Aluminum nameplates can be thin or as thick as .120".

Brass and Stainless Steel nameplates are made the same way as aluminum. Both have different finishes than aluminum and a different look. The etch depth on aluminum is .004" - .005" and in stainless the etch depth is .010" - .015". The etched area will have a frosted appearance and depending on your design can be filled or left without any additional color. Etch no fill metal nameplates can have a very rich look with the proper design.

These type of metal nameplates can be economically made in small quantities (50) up to large quantities.