Equipment Nameplates and Data Plates
Custom-made nameplates for heavy-duty industry and light-duty applications.
Industrial Nameplates and Durable Data Plates For Any Application
MPC’s equipment nameplates and custom data plates are designed to remain readable for the life of your part, even in the harshest environments. MPC nameplates bearing critical product names, health and safety warnings and equipment data are built to last just as well in unprotected exterior applications as they are in mild, controlled environments.
Our equipment nameplates, data plates and plastic nameplates offer tough performance through sustained outdoor exposure, extreme temperatures, chemical exposure and cleaning processes. MPC’s custom industrial nameplates also meet many Department of Defense and aerospace specifications, as well as other industry standards. Our advanced fabrication capabilities reduce your lead time and minimize costly tooling charges, while delivering nameplates to your exact specifications with the highest-value metal or plastic nameplate solution.
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.
Create Your Own Custom 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 custom nameplates for equipment, 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.
Metalphoto® for Unmatched Durability and Graphic Capabilities
Our company name comes from Metalphoto photographic anodized aluminum, a proprietary metal substrate that gives our identification products unmatched durability and graphics capabilities. Metalphoto’s 3556 dpi, photographic resolution image offers graphic capabilities that other materials and printing methods simply cannot achieve. Because the material is photographically imaged sub-surface rather than printed or painted or etched or engraved, the image combines photo quality capabilites with superior resistance to damage and degradation, even in extreme outdoor environments.
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.
Keep on Trucking
MPC’s custom Metalphoto diesel tank data plates help AlumiTank truckers roll on. Click the button below to see why Alumitank trusts Metalphoto for identification that will stand up to the harshest environmental coniditions on the road.
Common Uses for Equipment Nameplates
Custom nameplates for equipment have a wide variety of uses in industries throughout the world. Some of the most critical applications are in the transportation industry where aircraft, boats, and trucks require the use of highly durable nameplates.
Industrial nameplates are also frequently used to tag manufacturing equipment in the energy and oil & gas industries. You will also find industrial nameplates and tags used for construction, HVAC, and commercial applications in the government, telecom, and technology fields. The following are a few of the uses for custom nameplates and data plates.
Safety Information
Keeping safety information visible and easily accessible for operators and staff is an important part of health and safety management. Information such as guidelines, warnings, limitations, and restrictions can be easily printed on custom safety nameplates and placed directly on equipment or posted in important locations. Industrial nameplates are also very useful for marking hazardous equipment, chemical cabinets, and other hardware.
Asset Tagging
Plant managers are often tasked with tracking and monitoring the assets that are located within the facility. Custom nameplates offer an effective solution for labeling assets with a durable tag that can also include useful information such as barcodes, QR codes, and serial numbers. General property tags can also be used to mark nearly any item with important information about ownership or proper use. Asset tagging provides a high level of traceability for inventory control and plant management activities.
Equipment Identification
Durable data plates and nameplates are commonly used by businesses to mark the equipment they own with identifying information or important notifications. They’re especially useful for distributed fleets, such as trucks and buses that are geographically distributed during transit. Identification plates allow companies to label equipment with a common set of markings that can be easily identified by rotating drivers, maintenance staff, or customers.
Branding and Product Management
When a product is manufactured, it is commonly labeled with a series of labels, tags, or data plates that help the company convey important product information directly on the item. These data plates can be branded with a company logo in some cases and often provide useful details that the consumer should know. Some examples of the product information that is often included on such tags and data plates include model numbers, specifications, manufacturing information, and serial numbers.
Get Identification Designed For Your Industry
Our uniquely durable identification products can help solve industry specific challenges. Discover more identification and interface solutions designed for assets in your industry.
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.
20 Years with No Problems
LeBlond Ltd. has been using Metalphoto of Cincinnati for at least 20 years with no problems. I never worry about the quality of product. We always receive competitive pricing and on-time delivery.
Quality Is Excellent
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.
Discover New Insights for Industrial Asset Identification
See why industry leaders trust Metalphoto of Cincinnati to provide identification that is durable enough to last the life of their assets, even in the harshest environments. Explore our success stories. blog, guides, specification sheets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When designing a custom nameplate for equipment, there are several key factors to consider:
- Primary Objective: The primary objective for the equipment nameplate should be clearly defined, whether it’s for branding, identification, compliance, instructions, or another purpose. The design should align with the company’s brand image and visual identity.
- Material Durability: If the nameplate will be used in harsh environments, factors like temperature, moisture, chemicals, and UV exposure need to be accounted for in the material selection and design. Choose substrate materials capable of withstanding the asset’s operating conditions.
- Graphics and Text: The graphics, logos, text, and other visual elements need to be carefully designed for optimal legibility, impact, and alignment with the brand. Factors like font, size, and placement are important.
- Shape, Size, and Thickness: The nameplate’s shape, size, and thickness should be tailored to the application and environment. Factors like available mounting space and visibility requirements need to be considered.
- Colors and Appearance: The colors, finishes, and overall aesthetic of the nameplate should complement the product or equipment it’s attached to. Durable, high-quality finishes are important.
- Attachment Method: The method for attaching the nameplate, whether adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or another approach, needs to be carefully specified based on the application.
Metal substrate material options for equipment nameplates include brass, aluminum, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and Metalphoto® anodized aluminum. Polyester and polycarbonate are non-metal options commonly used for custom nameplates.
The most common metal substrates used for custom nameplates for equipment include:
Aluminum: a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal that is easy to fabricate and finish. It’s a popular choice for nameplates in many industries.
Anodized aluminum: aluminum with a protective layer that gives it superior resistance to corrosion and abrasion.
Metalphoto® anodized aluminum: the most durable label substrate available. Its expected exterior lifespan is 20+ years, and it can withstand harsh environments such as UV, salt spray, extreme temperatures, exposure to chemicals and solvents, and abrasion.
Stainless Steel 304: a durable, corrosion-resistant alloy that is commonly used for nameplates in harsh environments. It has excellent strength and can be finished in a variety of ways.
Stainless Steel 430: another corrosion-resistant alloy often used for nameplates. It’s slightly less expensive than 304 stainless steel.
Brass: often used for marine applications due to its excellent resistance to saltwater and corrosion. Due to its golden color, brass is also frequently used for decorative nameplates.
These metal substrates are available in a range of thicknesses to suit different application requirements. Depending on the substrate material, thicknesses can range from 0.003″ to 0.125″.
When it comes to attaching custom nameplates to your equipment, there are several adhesive options to consider based on the specific substrate material and application requirements:
- 3M Adhesives: 3M produces a wide range of high-performance adhesives that are commonly used for nameplate applications. These include acrylic, epoxy, and silicone-based adhesives that can provide strong, durable bonds.
- Necal Adhesives: Necal is another leading manufacturer of industrial adhesives that are well-suited for nameplates. Their products offer excellent adhesion, weatherability, and temperature resistance.
- Selective Adhesive Application: For many applications, it’s beneficial to selectively apply the adhesive only in specific areas of the nameplate, rather than a full coverage. This can improve the bond strength and reduce material usage.
The adhesive selection and application method should be carefully specified to ensure a secure, long-lasting attachment of the custom nameplate. In addition to adhesives, mechanical attachment options are also available.
In addition to the core manufacturing of custom nameplates and data plates, many suppliers offer a range of value-added services to streamline the process for customers:
Design and Engineering Support: Experienced suppliers can provide design and engineering assistance to help customers develop the optimal nameplate solution for their applications.
Online Design Tools: Top custom nameplate suppliers may offer online design tools that enable customers to create a custom nameplate design to match their specifications.
Samples: Leading custom nameplate manufacturers provide free sample and evaluation kits, allowing customers to see and feel various identification solutions in different materials.
Prototyping: Suppliers often have the capability to produce prototypes, allowing customers to evaluate and refine the design before full production.
Quality Assurance Testing: Comprehensive quality assurance testing, such as environmental, durability, and adhesion testing, can be performed to ensure the nameplates meet all requirements.
Assembly Services: Suppliers may offer assembly services to reduce the customer’s burden for complex nameplates or multi-component assemblies.
These value-added services can help customers save time and resources while ensuring a high-quality, optimized custom nameplate solution.
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.