--- title: Tooling Options for Nameplates and Labels from McLoone description: With a full-service tool and die capability and a library of thousands of dies, we have options to create all types of product identification! image: https://www.mcloone.com/hubfs/punchpress-2.jpg --- ** 1-800-624-6641 [![mcloone_logo_nobox.png](https://www.mcloone.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mcloone_logo_nobox.png?width=285&name=mcloone_logo_nobox.png "mcloone_logo_nobox.png")](https://www.mcloone.com) - [Recent Posts](https://www.mcloone.com/blog) - [NAMEPLATES](https://blog.mcloone.com/tag/nameplates#topic#topic) - [ID PLATES](https://blog.mcloone.com/tag/id-plates#topic#topic) - [LABELS & OVERLAYS](https://blog.mcloone.com/tag/labels-and-overlays#topic#topic) # Tooling Options for Nameplates and Labels from McLoone ![](https://www.mcloone.com/hubfs/punchpress-2.jpg) - ** - ** - ** There are many elements that product designers need to keep in mind when it comes to the branding, caution or operating information that is on the product. These include size, material, graphics and attachment of the nameplate, ID Plate or label. Another aspect to consider is how parts will be cut, formed or fabricated. This post reviews these factors along with options available to ensure consistent and durable product identification.  ### Factors Used to Determine Tooling Type for Nameplates In an ideal project review, you provide a dimensional blueprint or drawing that details your specifications in material, size, shape, adhesive and any cutouts or other build requirements. Our team will take into consideration the quantity of the project, what type and thickness of material is required, the shape of the part, tolerance specifications and any special finishes such as embossing, debossing, forming, holes, cutouts or slots. ### ![tooling options for nameplates and labels](https://www.mcloone.com/hs-fs/hubfs/punchpress-2.jpg?width=600&name=punchpress-2.jpg) ### Tooling Options for Nameplates and Labels Any nameplate or label that is manufactured at McLoone starts out decorated on a flat sheet of metal or plastic material. It is then cut to the specified shape including any pierced holes. Dimension can be added with additional emboss and form dies.  **Steel rule** is our most common type of tooling. It is essentially a cutting die made by bending ribbons of steel to desired contours and embedding the shapes into a wooden base (die board) with the sharp edges of the steel ribbons exposed, creating the cutting surface. - Part tolerance = ±.015" - Materials less than .032" thick  - Cost effective and quick build timeline - Ideal for basic shapes with minimal cutouts - Parts can be cut to liner - Not recommended for large quantities - Edges of part may show a pronounced burr **Hard tooling** is classified as Class 'A' tooling. It usually consists of mating die halves called male and female that when pressed together cut through the material, resulting in the desired shape and cutouts.  - Part tolerance = ±.005" - ±.010" - Materials greater than .032" thick - Specific emboss height required or multi-level emboss - More costly than steel rule dies with a slightly longer build timeline - Ideal for high quantity parts or parts with multiple cutouts and form **Laser cutting** is an option for computer-driven cutting of plastic material less than .010" thick.  - Part tolerance = ±.015" - Plastic materials less than .010" thick - Cost effective and quick production time - Cut to shape perimeters only - no inside cutouts ### How Can We Help? With a full-service tool and die capability and a library of thousands of dies, McLoone can produce hard tooling as well as steel-rule and pierce dies in-house at less cost than is typically available in the market. We can help identify a cost effective and durable solution to fit your product identification needs. ### Related Posts ### [Embossed Metal Nameplates Explained](https://www.mcloone.com/embossed-metal-nameplates-explained) [Embossed Buttons on Polycarbonate Graphic Overlays](https://www.mcloone.com/embossed-buttons-on-polycarbonate-graphic-overlays) [3 Things to Expect from a Nameplate Design Project](https://www.mcloone.com/3-things-to-expect-from-a-nameplate-design-project) [Metal Nameplates that Stand Out with Embossing | eBook](https://www.mcloone.com/nameplates-that-stand-out-ebook) [Heavy Duty Plastic Labels with Dimension through Embossing eBook - Design Resource](https://www.mcloone.com/heavy-duty-plastic-labels-with-dimension-through-embossing-ebook) [![5 Building Blocks for Metal Nameplate Design eBook by McLoone](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3841320/274cdfe4-21f8-4635-b6e6-262cd4649565.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3841320/274cdfe4-21f8-4635-b6e6-262cd4649565) Tags: [Labels and Overlays](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/labels-and-overlays), [Nameplates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/nameplates), [ID Plates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/id-plates) ### Related Articles** ## [Color Approval: How Lighting, Substrates, and Environments Affect Color Accuracy](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/color-approval-lighting-substrates-environments) *( read )* Topics: [Process](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/process), [Nameplates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/nameplates), [Processes](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/processes), [ID Plates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/id-plates) ## [Why Product Identification Fails (and How to Prevent it)](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/why-product-identification-fails) *( read )* Topics: [Quality](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/quality), [Embossing](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/embossing), [Process](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/process), [Nameplates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/nameplates), [Processes](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/processes), [Adhesive](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/adhesive), [ID Plates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/id-plates) ## [From the Inside Out: How Culture Drives Results](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/from-the-inside-out-2-second-leans) *( read )* Topics: [Quality](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/quality), [Embossing](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/embossing), [Process](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/process), [Nameplates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/nameplates), [Processes](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/processes), [Adhesive](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/adhesive), [ID Plates](https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tag/id-plates) --- ## Ready for a quote? [![mcloone_logo_nobox_white.png](https://www.mcloone.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mcloone_logo_nobox_white.png?width=320&name=mcloone_logo_nobox_white.png "mcloone_logo_nobox_white.png")](https://www.mcloone.com) [Request samples](https://www.mcloone.com/request-samples) [Request a quote](https://www.mcloone.com/request-quote) [Upload artwork](https://www.mcloone.com/artwork) [Privacy Policy](https://www.mcloone.com/privacy-policy/) [Cookie Policy](https://www.mcloone.com/cookie-policy/) Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information 75 Sumner Street, La Crosse, WI 54603 1-800-624-6641  [info@mcloone.com](mailto:info@mcloone,com) [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/mcloonenameplates) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcloone/) A [Clarion Safety Systems](https://www.clarionsafety.com) Business ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Vicky Bowie", "url" : "https://www.mcloone.com/blog/author/vicky-bowie" }, "dateModified" : "2025-12-09T18:04:02.339Z", "datePublished" : "2019-08-06T15:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Tooling Options for Nameplates and Labels from McLoone", "image" : [ "https://www.mcloone.com/hubfs/punchpress-2.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.mcloone.com/blog/tooling-options-for-nameplates-and-labels-from-mcloone", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.mcloone.com/hubfs/mcloone_logo-1.png" }, "name" : "McLoone Metal Graphics, Inc." } } ```