Need Help?

Questions about using the MPC Nameplate Builder? See the tips under the Instructions tab above. If you still need help or have immediate questions about your project, talk now with one of our experienced sales engineers by calling 1-800-528-4058 or Schedule a Meeting Now. Our team is on stand-by to help you build a fully customized identification solution that meets all your project requirements.

How to Save Your Design

Once you’re satisfied with your design, click the Save Design button beneath the builder. Then fill out a short form with your name and organization name as you want it to appear on the design concept PDF document, and the email address we should send it to. Once the form is submitted, you will be able to download a PDF of your design concept with your design and information, and we will email you the download link for the PDF in case you need to download it later.

Getting Started

Welcome to the MPC Nameplate Builder, where you can design a fully customized concept for a nameplate or other piece of identification.  Below is an explanation of the tools available in this designer and how to use them. First, you can start with a blank canvas, or choose any of the starting templates provided by clicking on the template you wish to load. Clicking on a template will let you preview that template and set the material options, and load the template into the builder.  You can then customize the design by editing the elements in the design, removing elements that aren’t needed, and adding any additional elements you may want using the top tool bar. Here are instructions for manipulating any element in the design:

• To edit properties set in the tool dialogue box for the element, double clicking the element in the design will open the dialogue box to change the properties, and clicking the Update button at the bottom of the box will apply any changes made to the properties of the element.
• To move an element around the design, click and hold the click button while the cursor is in the center of the element, and then drag to position the element. Release the click button to stop moving the element.
• To adjust the dimensions of the element, click the element to select it, then click and hold the click button while the cursor is over one of the handles at the corners and sides of the element, then drag to adjust the dimension corresponding to that handle. Release the click button to stop adjusting.
• To rotate an element, click the element to select it, then click and hold the click button while the cursor is over the handle that appears above the top center of the element, then drag in a circle to rotate the object. Release the button to stop rotating.
• To delete an element, double click the element to open the properties dialogue box, and click the Delete button at the bottom right of the dialogue box.

Top Toolbar

1. Material Options
   Here you can set the material options for your design, including background color, thickness, finish, and add ashesive backing.  All the material options are different thicknesses of Metalphoto®, a proprietary photosensitive anodized aluminum substrate that features umparalleled image resolution and a sub-surface image that gives it unique durability and resistance to harsh environment and outdoor elements. Learn More About Metalphoto® ›
2. Dimensions & Design Options
   Here you can set the dimensions of your design, in either inches or millimeters.  You can also set corner radius if desired, and add hales at either all four corners, top center and bottom center, left edge middle and right edge middle, or top center only.  You can also adjust the diameter of the holes and the distance from the edge of the design.
3. Add Text Box
   In the Properties tab, you can add a text box to the nameplate. Simply type your desired text, select horizontal or vertical text options, and click add.  Note that vertical text boxes will stack each character vertically below the previous character.In the Style tab, there are several text styling options, including text color, font style (standard, condensed, and serif, each in light, medium and bold), font size, and the alignment of the text within the text box.
4. Add Barcode & QR Code
   On the Properties tab, enter the information you want contained within the 2D or 3D barcode, and select a 2D barcode symbology (Code 39 or Code 128) or a 3D barcode symbology (QR code or Data Matrix). You can also choose whether to display the information in human readable text below the code or not.On the Style tab, there are options to change the barcode color, as well as the color, size, and font style of the human readable text.  Note that due to the nature of 2D barcodes, changing a barcode color to white will cause it not to scan, so within in the builder, selecting the color “White” on a barcode of a 2D symbology will instead add a white box behind the barcode to ensure it remains scannable.  Once created, to move the barcode and text together, click and drag while the cursor is over the code.  To drag the text only, click and drag while the cursor is over the text.  To adjust the size of the code, click the code and adjust using any of the handles on the sides and corners of the code.
5. Add Numbers
   In the Properties tab, you can add a text box to the nameplate. Simply type your desired number, select horizontal or vertical text options, and click add.  Note that vertical text boxes will stack each number vertically below the previous number.In the Style tab, there are several text styling options, including text color, font style (standard, condensed, and serif, each in light, medium and bold), font size, and the alignment of the text within the text box.
6. Add Shapes
   In the Shape tab, you can choose which type of shape to add, from a rectangle, circle, triangle, or octagon.In the Style tab, there are options to change the shape color, add a border and define its width and color, as well as to adjust the corner radius of the border.
7. Add Holes & Cutouts Here you can additional holes or cutouts to your design, and choose either a circular or rectangular shape.
8. Add Image In the Image tab, you can select an image file from your device, and click the Add button to upload it the image and add it to the design. Note, images will be converted to greyscale when uploaded to accurately reflect how they will appear when imaged onto Metalphoto.  Metalphoto does not support full color photo images.  In the Style tab, there are options to add a border to the image and set its width and color, as well as add a corner radius. Learn More About Metalphoto® ›

Side Toolbar

1. Display Grid
   This button turns the background grid on and off. This grid can be used to aid in aligning elements in the design.
2. Bring to Front
   Click an element to select it, and then click this button to bring it in front of all other elements in the design.
3. Bring Forward
   Click an element to select it, and then click this button to bring it in front of the next highest element in the design.
4. Send Backward
   Click an element to select it, and then click this button to send it behind the next lowest element in the design.
5. Send to Back
   Click an element to select it, and then click this button to send it behind all other elements in the design.