ID plates communicate critical details for proper use and maintenance of equipment for companies across the globe. Construction equipment, pumps, meters, and tools need to show relevant specs and tolerances. Model and serial plates provide information for voltage, pressure, and temperature ratings. All are expected to be readable for as long as the equipment is in use.
An ID plate needs to be easy to read and understand in order to be effective. Whether the goal of the equipment tag is asset tracking or communicating safety information, every design element supports this goal.
It is vital to quickly recognize safe operating instructions for industrial equipment. Improperly labeled equipment may cause equipment or component failure. This can lead to poor performance, damage to machinery, and potential injury to workers or consumers. Done right, data and serial plates have clean, simple, and easy to read designs so that important information is communicated - even in the harshest of environments.
Need help designing an effective and durable ID Plate? We've got you covered! From custom tools built in-house to graphic layout assistance, we will work with you every step of the way.
An ID plate that is too complicated or hard to read can get in the way of what you want to communicate. Remember your objective and what you want users to learn from the data plate. From asset tracking to safety information, every design element supports this goal. A quick checklist with 6 simple design tips has been compiled and is available for your resource needs.
Many industrial environments have equipment that is exposed to chemicals, weather extremes, heavy handling, and dirt. Choosing the right processing and materials for ID plates minimizes the risk of critical information not being visible or the data plate wearing away. A variety of metal and flexible material options is stocked to provide the right protection along with the functionality, durability, and custom decoration needed for your design.
Material |
Thickness and Finish |
|
Aluminum
|
.002" Matte and Bright Foil .012"-.032" Mill Finish and Bright .012"-.063" Anodized .062"-.090" Mill Finish |
|
Stainless Steel
|
.018"-.036" Brushed |
|
Polycarbonate
|
.005"-.030" Clear, Velvet, Weatherable |
|
Polyester
|
.002" White, Clear, Matte Silver, Brushed Silver, Bright Silver, Imprintable, Reflective .005"-.010" Clear |
|
Vinyl
|
.002"-.004" Standard .007" Static Cling .010"-.065" Rigid |
Customization |
Benefit |
|
Embossing
|
Raised areas for permanent markings and instructions; Stands up to harsh environments |
|
Forming
|
Custom fabrication for metal to take on the contour or bend of equipment like pipes and valves |
|
Variable Data
|
Scannable codes, serialization, and informative codes configured to your specifications |
|
Durable Graphics
|
Screen printed graphics on top of metal and polyester or second surface printed on polycarbonate, protected by topcoats and optional overlaminate material ensure data plates last the lifetime of the equipment |
Attachment Types |
|
|
Adhesives
|
3M and equivalent pressure sensitive adhesives |
|
Holes or Slots
|
Secure attachment with rivets or screws |
|
Combination
|
Some applications will require more robust attachment solutions which can include combining pressure sensitive adhesive with rivets or screws. |
Aluminum and stainless steel are offered as strong and durable material for industrial data plates. For applications requiring flexible substrates, a variety of plastic material is also available including polyester, polycarbonate, and vinyl. Not sure of which material is right for your application? We will work with you to find a solution.
Each data plate is custom built in size, shape, and configured with appropriate cut-outs to meet the unique requirements. A library with thousands of dies in common sizes means many options for your ID Plate needs. In-house tooling means quick turnaround for custom builds.
Sequential numbering is configured into the production process with printing, stamping, or laser operations. Further variable data can be added with laser or stamping equipment by the customer at their site.
Artwork is produced in Adobe Illustrator. For production purposes, we prefer VECTOR artwork whenever possible. A vector image is lines or shapes mapped out mathematically rather than pixel-based, referred to as raster which when scaled larger becomes fuzzy. The advantage of vector-based images is that they never lose their quality despite the size of the image. Files received in other formats may delay processing and require redrawing. More information can be found on our Artwork Submission page.
Custom configuration of bar codes for access with your scanning system. Types of information commonly kept in this type of ID Plate include:
Embossed metal text for information plates are a permanent solution to ensure important details are visible even after many years of being in place. Embossing provides:
A variety of pierce options is offered for both metal and plastic substrates and is dependent on the location, size, and shape of the hole as well as the material. Hole options include:
Recommendation for adhesives depend on the mating surface, exposure, and other requirements the bond needs to meet. Adhesive options include:
