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Defense

MPC’s Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum is the go-to material for durable, permanent identification of assets used by the military since 1960.

Uniquely Durable Identification For Defense Applications, Trusted for Over 50 Years

Few applications require the performance demands of the United States Armed Forces. Further, with MIL-STD-130, labeling and tracking military property has become mandatory.

MPC’s Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum is the go-to material for durable, permanent identification of assets used by the military since 1960. Starting with specification by the U.S. Navy, Metalphoto has since been used for the labeling of thousands of equipment components for Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Bell, Sikorsky, General Dynamics, and many others.

TRUSTED AROUND THE WORLD SINCE 1950

Find The Ideal Identification Products For Your Application

Explore our wide range of durable identification products, custom designed for your project, application or organization. Our product development team is on standby to design and build your perfect identification solution.

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Create Your Own Nameplate, Data Plate, Label, or Front Panel Design Online

The MPC Nameplate Designer is an online tool that you can use to easily create a design for any piece of identification, including nameplates, data plates, warning labels, asset tracking labels, control panel faceplates, overlays and signs.  Load a starting template and edit the elements to your specifications, or start from scratch and build your design.  Using this designer, you can set the dimensions, material, and add adhesive backing to your identification piece, and then add holes, cutouts, text, serial numbers, bar codes or QR codes, shapes, and even images and photos to your design.  Once the design is complete, you can save a PDF print of the design to download and share.

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Specialized Material Options for Your Application

Metalphoto of Cincinnati offers nameplates in a variety of standard material options, including our proprietary Metalphoto®  substrate. Metalphoto is photosensitive anodized aluminum, which features a silver and black photographic image that is embedded within the sapphire-hard anodic layer of the aluminum. This combination gives a Metalphoto part an outdoor life of over 20 years, and makes it extremely resistant to damage or degradation from environmental factors like abrasion, UV fading, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and corrosion from saltwater exposure. The National Association of Graphic and Product Identification Manufacturers (GPI) Industry Standards and Practices Manual identifies Metalphoto as the most durable printed aluminum substrate available, and it has been trusted by industry, government and military organizations like Caterpillar, The US Navy, NASA, and Boeing for over 50 years.  Metalphoto offers many unique features including:

  • Lasts over 20 years outdoors without fading or degradation.
  • Uniquely resistant to damage or degradation from environmental factors like abrasion, UV fading, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and corrosion from saltwater exposure.
  • Exceptional image resolution that allows for photo image, security and microprint options.
  •  Ability to support unique information, including a unique barcode or QR code and letter/number combination on every piece.
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Stainless Steel Nameplates

Request a Nameplate, Front Panel, Label & Tag Evaluation Kit

Request a free evaluation kit today and we will send you a sample kit to test our durable identification products in your own operating environment.

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FEATURED WHITE PAPER

IUID Environmental Survivability Testing Report Synopsis

Read how in a survivability study conducted by the US Navy, Metalphoto outperformed the other 72 materials evalutated across 38 simulated environment durablity tests.

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Metalphoto Industry Specifications & Studies

BF Goodrich Aerospace

Data Systems Division
Specification SMT0022

Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company

Boeing Process Specification BAC5875
Fabrication of Aluminum Markers, Instrument Panels, Drawer Front Panels and Fabrication of Metal and Plastic Appliques

Honeywell, Inc.

Satellite Systems Operations
Metalphoto approved for use on Space Station
Memorandum A3-J024-M-9501786
Laboratory Case 161311

Norwegian Marine Technology

Research Institute (Marintek)
Corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates
23.1011.00.0391

SAE Technical Paper Series 2000-01-2437

Special requirements for Crew Interface Labels on the International
Space Station
Stephen Gray & Fernando Ramos – Boeing

Metalphoto UL & CSA Specifications & Studies

Canadian Standard Association (CSA)

File 111331, Class 792

Underwriter Laboratories

Marking and Labeling Systems PGDQ2
Marking and Labeling System Material Component PGGU2.MH26206

Metalphoto U.S. Government Specifications & Studies

Department of Defense

Commercial Item Description
A-A-50271 Class 2- Composition C

Department of Navy

Laboratory evaluation of label plate materials and attachment methods considered for use on LPD-17
CARDIVNSWC-TR-62-00-05 June 2000

NASA, Johnson Space Center Texas

Space Station Inventory Label Specification – SSP 50007

United State Federal Government

Federal Specification GGP-455B(3)
Type I (Grade A&B) Class 1 or 2

No Minimum Quantity, Get A Quote for Any Size Job

We have no minimum piece requirement. Our minimum production run is $400 per part number, excluding set-up fees/tooling. Contact us regarding your project.

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Metalphoto Of Cincinnati Is Outstanding

Quality is excellent, lead times are reasonable and pricing is competitive. Metalphoto of Cincinnati is outstanding at supplying our metal nameplates and labels, as well as addressing our needs and expectations as good as, if not better than, any of the other suppliers. MPC works well with helping us meet the demands of our customers.

Kerry Knebel
Lift-A-Loft

Understands Military Specifications

Metalphoto understands military specifications which is important to us. They produce a quality product in a timely manner.

Dan

Create The Ideal Solution For Your Product Identification Needs

If you’re having trouble finding the ideal identification solution for your project or application, build it with Metalphoto of Cincinnati. Talk with our experienced sales engineers today.

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