A product nameplate, regardless of its intended purpose, is a portion of many projects that can often be overlooked, or not considered until the last minute. Sometimes the nameplate isn’t even a line item in a project budget. That type of oversight can stall production lines, hold up product deliveries or simply result in a hasty, last-minute decision that turns out to be a poor choice. The best course of action is to consider the nameplate as critical to the project process as any other element. There are five main factors to consider when deciding upon the proper product nameplate for any given application.
Environment
What type of environment will your product nameplate or project involve? Environmental considerations include weather—indoor or outdoor exposure; temperatures—extreme highs or lows such as freezing conditions; and chemical exposure for example, cleaning cycles or abrasive substances. We can help select the right material to match the environmental challenges in order to supply the durability and lifespan required for the product or project.
Specifications/Industry Standards
Certain industries and governmental bodies issue specifications and standards to which all parts of a project must comply. For example, equipment used in food manufacturing must conform to FDA food-grade or food-safe standards. The aerospace industry and Department of Defense issue specifications for equipment manufactured and used in various capacities for military or transportation purposes. Nameplates are no exception. Something as simple as product identification might be needed to meet industry compliance requirements. Make sure the intended destination and purpose of your product/equipment/machine is revealed up front when ordering a nameplate.
Nutron Nameplate offers decades of experience crafting nameplates that conform with any number of various governmental and industry standards, including Underwriters Laboratories, the U.S. Military, the Canadian Standards Association and more.
Function
Exploring industry specifications leads into the question of what type of function is the nameplate expected to serve? Nameplate purposes range the gamut from corporate/brand logo identification to hazard/safety warnings, or control panels that help guide instrument calibration, a very sensitive and critical operation. In fact, control panels, beyond guiding instrumentation or calibration can often serve a structural function, lending strength, form or shape to the product or machine.
The function the nameplate is expected to fulfill often determines the base material selection and whether or not an additional coating or layer will help extend the lifespan of the product nameplate or protect any graphic elements or text to ensure they remain clear and legible.
Product Nameplate Lifespan
The durability or lifespan of the nameplate must match the anticipated lifespan of the project or product it is designed to adorn. Think of capital equipment or historic monuments—the anticipated lifespan of a nameplate for these purposes might need to span decades whereas the nameplate selected for a disposable item, or a project with a short, defined purpose would dictate a completely different material and process for its design and fabrication.
Aesthetics
A final yet important consideration is the look and design desired for the product nameplate. Does it need to feature a brand logo in corporate colors? Certain surfaces can be screen printed with a limitless array of color choices while other options narrow these choices down. Nameplates can be cut or formed into a variety of shapes and sizes to match a logo or graphics. Our staff is available to assist with artwork and design for your product nameplate.
Consider the following as well, whether or not the weight and base material add or detract from the aesthetic qualities and brand message you can convey through your choice and design of a product nameplate. Does the weight and base material send a message of quality and durability to your customers?
We offer our customers a selection of metal options, among them stainless steel, anodized aluminum and brass, or an assortment of durable plastics. Contact us to explore the possibilities and potential benefits the right nameplate selection can add to your project.