When you have your nameplates made, there are many options that you have to choose from, many of which you may not be familiar with. For example, you were probably asked what kind of metal nameplate you wanted.

There are basically four different types of nameplates to choose from. You can get etched metal, printed metal, metal photo or photo imaged. Depending on what you are using the nameplates for and what type of nameplate you are having made, you will have finishing options to choose from too.

There are a number of finishing options offered to choose from. One option is called embossing and it basically makes the letters and design raised up just a little bit. They can also supply you with mounting holes if you would like to make it easier to place the nameplates when finished. If you would rather not have mounting holes installed, you can have adhesive applied to the back. You can choose from square or rounded corners or special shapes for your nameplates. Metal nameplates can include debossed sequential numbering and are supplied with a removable protective film masking.

Laser engraving can be used to make hundreds of different products. Nameplates can be created for anything you would like such as names on doors, nametags, nameplates for a desk or office, name plates on helmets or souvenirs, information to be placed on a display case or a trophy.

Most laser engraving is done on some type of metal but it can also be done on plastic. When thinking of most nameplates that you have seen, the traditional silver or gold nameplate on sports trophies or display cases come to mind but it is possible to have nameplates made in a variety of colors and combinations.

Determining the size of the nameplate that you need will depend on how much information needs to be included on the nameplate which will then determine the actual size of the finished nameplate.

Stencils used in screen printing can be created in a variety of ways. Initially stencils were created by drawing the desired image onto some type of non porous material that could be attached to the screen and prevent the paint from going through. This could be done by cutting the design out of the material used and attaching to the screen or by painting it directly on the screen with a material that would dry and make it impossible for the paint to go through.

Photo emulsion has been the method of choice for the last 70 years. This method is done by creating the original image on a material such as tracing paper. It can be drawn, painted, copied or printed onto the overlay as long as the areas to be painted are opaque. The overlay is then placed over the screen and placed under a special UV light to harden the emulsion.

The areas that were not exposed to light will wash off leaving a negative stencil on the mesh.