Our Industrial Nameplate Solutions
We manufacture high-quality industrial nameplates customized to your exact specifications, creating a long-lasting, sleek, and professional solution for communicating crucial information and variable data. We use high-quality stainless steel or aluminum so our nameplates resist corrosion and last for a long time, even in harsh industrial environments.
Material Options for Nameplates
We manufacture nameplates in the following materials:
Stainless steel is the most durable substrate option for nameplates and is highly resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and the impact of the elements. We stock stainless steel in 0.018” – 0.125” thicknesses, with both 316 and 304 stainless steel available in most thicknesses. We also offer 2 finish options: #4 finish, with a shinier sheen, and #2B finish, with a duller matte aesthetic.
Aluminum nameplates are the most common choice for the aerospace or transportation industries, or any application where weight is at a premium. Aluminum nameplates are lighter weight than stainless steel, but are less resistant to corrosion and are better suited for environments without abrasive conditions. At Etched, we stock aluminum in 0.020” – 0.125” thicknesses, with other thicknesses available upon request.
Featuring the same light weight as raw aluminum, but with enhanced durability due to its protective coating, anodized aluminum is well-suited for indoor or outdoor applications where weight is at a premium. We offer anodized aluminum in clear, black, blue, green, red, and yellow.
Plastic is the least durable substrate for industrial nameplates, but offers high contrast when text is engraved on a different color background, lending plastic nameplates enhanced legibility. Our plastic nameplates can be engraved or printed, but not etched.
Process Options for Nameplates
Our industrial nameplate processes include:
Chemical etching involves dissolving part of the substrate in acid, leaving masked areas in sharp relief. The depth of the etch can vary from 0.0015 to 0.003 inches and can be applied to stainless steel, aluminum, or anodized aluminum nameplates. Chemical etching is the most durable and long-lasting process option.
Metalphoto processing can only be applied to anodized aluminum nameplates. It works by taking a “negative” and exposing it on aluminum, then processing it in a developer solution and sealing it in a glass-clear, sapphire-hard anodized layer that is highly resistant to chemicals, paint, abrasion, dirt, and intense sunlight.
At Etched, we have both fiber and CO2 lasers that can create durable metal marking. The fiber laser engraves with greater depth, making it well-suited for variable information or high-contrast applications. CO2 lasers achieve less depth, making the finished nameplate less resistant to abrasion. Laser engraving can be applied to stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, or plastic nameplates.
Rotary engraving uses a rotating cutting tool in a motorized spindle to create a groove anywhere from 0.003 to 0.007 inches deep. Engraved graphics can then be filled with paint for greater contrast. Rotary engraving is highly durable, offers a strong color contrast, and is cost-effective especially for high-volume orders. It can be applied to stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, or plastic nameplates.
Screen printing uses UV-cured ink to create a crisp, clear, and durable image. It is the most cost-effective process option, especially for low-volume orders, and can be applied to stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, or plastic nameplates.
Not Sure Which Material or Process Option Is Best for You?
Learn more detailed information about how each option works, as well as its advantages and disadvantages, in our Industrial Nameplate Buyer’s Guide.
Applications for Nameplates
Designed to communicate crucial information about your products and equipment, Etched metal and plastic nameplates will last for years or even decades to come. Custom industrial nameplates are especially crucial for industries like:
Why Partner With Etched for Your Industrial Nameplates
We started Etched from the ground up because we realized there had to be a better way to order nameplates. Our customers were struggling to manage their inventory and order the right quantities of tags and plates at the right time–so we put innovative processes in place to be proactive to their needs and help solve their problems before they arise. Combining over 50 years of experience, a team of great people, essential technology, and world-class manufacturing, we ensure that you never have to worry about your nameplates again.
Customer service is our top priority, and we optimize our lead times to make sure you can get exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. We also offer rush orders and expedited shipping at no extra cost. Our experienced and efficient team can handle your biggest orders, but our unflagging commitment to delivering the best solutions means we care just as much about your single-unit orders and the tiniest details of every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a standard lead time of two weeks, regardless of size of order. However, we understand that urgent situations sometimes arise, and offer rush orders and expedited shipping at no extra cost. Learn more about our Bail Me Out program.
We’ll need to know the material, process option, and text or graphics you want included on your nameplate. If you have an existing nameplate you’d like to order more of, a sample, drawing, or dimensions of the part will be necessary.
At Etched, we pride ourselves on having no minimum or maximum quantities. We put our best effort into any size of order.
Before we begin manufacturing your metal nameplates, we’ll walk you through an art approval process to make sure everything looks the way you want it. If you still want a sample after the artwork approval, we are happy to provide one.
Don’t see your question on this page? Contact us today.
A Few of Our Satisfied Customers
“We used to always run out of tags but since we started working with Etched over (3) years ago, we’ve never run out and haven’t had to worry about them since.”
Valve Manufacturer - Oklahoma
“We can be a difficult customer because of our erratic order patterns and demanding timelines. Etched found a way to solve that problem and has been 100% on time for 3 years straight.”
Transportation Industry - Michigan
“With the environment we operate in today, it is more critical than ever to have vendors that can solve our problems in a proactive manner. We cannot be put in a situation in which a tag jeopardizes a shipment. Etched has implemented TIM (Tag Inventory Manager) in our warehouse and has completely solved the problems we previously had with our tags."
Process Industry OEM - Missouri
“Tags are now the easiest things I order. Thanks Etched for making my life easy!”
Valve Manufacturer - Louisiana