Nameplates are critical for identifying countless assets, including medical supplies, industrial machinery, and aerospace parts. You can request nameplates in materials ranging from plastic to brass to aluminum—so what’s the best option for your organization?
It all comes down to your use case, working environment, budget, and needs. When aesthetics, durability, and cost matter, it’s usually best to use stainless steel nameplates.
In this guide, we’ll explain why stainless steel is a great choice for nameplates and share tips to help you maximize your investment.
Stainless steel nameplates are durable labeling solutions for identification, branding, or instructional purposes. You can make nameplates out of many materials, but stainless steel is a popular option because it’s a corrosion-resistant alloy. It’s known for its strength and ability to withstand harsh environments, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.
More businesses opt for stainless steel nameplates because they maintain their readability and appearance over time, even in harsh conditions. Plus, you can easily customize their shape, size, thickness, and finish. Many label manufacturers, like MPC, also allow you to etch, engrave, print, or stamp your stainless steel nameplates.
Stainless steel nameplates are popular for a range of uses, including:
Nameplates are a popular solution for tracking assets, sharing information, and more. You can order nameplates in a range of materials, like plastic or brass, but stainless steel comes with additional benefits, including:
You can get stainless nameplates from many places, but when quality counts, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer. Experienced manufacturers like Metalphoto of Cincinnati offer expertise in material selection, design, and compliance with industry standards, ensuring the nameplates meet your specific needs and quality requirements.
Choose the right grade of stainless steel for your use case. For instance, 316 grade is popular because it has better corrosion resistance, making it suitable for marine and chemical environments.
Check out the video below to learn more about the different grades of stainless steel and their properties.
Customization ensures the nameplates fit perfectly on your equipment or products, and serve their intended purpose. Stainless steel is easy to customize, so don’t hesitate to ask about customization.
Tailor the nameplates’ size, shape, thickness, and finish to your specific requirements.
However, if you ask the manufacturer to add information to these tags, use the right marking method. Choose the right marking method (etching, engraving, digital printing, etc.) for durability and clarity, depending on the application.
Engraving and etching are ideal for harsh environments, while digital printing might suit less demanding conditions.
Consider environmental factors like chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, and UV light. Choose materials, including adhesives and coatings, that can withstand these conditions without degrading.
In extremely harsh environments, consider adding protective coatings to enhance resistance to abrasion, chemicals, or UV radiation.
Stainless steel nameplates are a robust solution for a range of labeling needs. Whether you like their sleek, professional appearance or need durable labels that withstand corrosion and heat, stainless steel nameplates are up to the task.
However, a label is only as good as its manufacturer. MPC has over 50 years of experience creating custom stainless steel nameplates for our clients. See our quality firsthand: request your free Identification Evaluation Kit now.
Yes, stainless steel nameplates are suitable for even the most extreme environments. They can withstand heat without losing their structural integrity or legibility, which makes them ideal for industrial settings like manufacturing plants and automotive applications.
You clean them with mild soap and water to remove dirt or fingerprints, but that’s all. They don’t rust or corrode easily, so they don’t need special maintenance or cleaning.
It depends on your environment and intended use. Thicker nameplates are more durable and resistant to bending, so they’re better for industrial applications. Thinner nameplates are better for indoor applications, or if flexibility and weight are considerations.
Our sales engineers are experts in automatic asset tracking, tagging and identification,a nd can answer all your questions. Get in touch now.
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