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Month: May 2016

The Theory Behind Our Color Matching Services

At Hallmark Nameplate, we know how important it is to make sure that the vibrant colors of your designs are accurately printed onto your products. We know that one of the markers of high quality in nameplates, graphic overlays, membrane switches, and screen printing is simpler than most think: color control and color consistency.

By employing a full-time colorist who specializes in color design, color matching, and color quality control, we make sure that an excellent eye for color is detecting any dips in color quality, alongside tools capable of statistically measuring variance in the color spectrum.

But what’s behind our color matching services? Basic color theory is at the core of our mission to provide the highest-quality products. Understanding how color works is an important part of ensuring that your nameplate, graphic overlays, and membrane switches don’t just function properly, but look fantastic as well.

Basic Color Theory

Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications; enough to fill several encyclopedias. However, there are three basic categories of color theory

The Color Wheel

A color circle, based on red, yellow, and blue, is traditional when it comes to the art universe. The first circular diagram of colors was actually developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. Scientists and artists ever since have designed many variations of the original concept. And if you think that the debates over the validity of these different formats are over, think again. Differences of opinion about the validity of one format over another still provoke conversation to this day. The truth of the matter is that any color circle or wheel which presents a logically arranged sequence of pure hues holds merit.

Not only that, but there are also definitions (or categories) of colors based on the color wheel. To get back to basics, we have to start with the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. In the most traditional of color theories, which is used in paint and pigments, primary colors are the three pigment colors that can not be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. From these hues, all other colors are derived.

By mixing the primary colors, you can get either purple, orange, or green. These are considered secondary colors. The colors that are then formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color together are called tertiary colors. This is why all of the colors in these hues have a two-word name: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green.

Color Harmony

Generally speaking, harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it be music, poetry, color, or even an ice cream sundae.

With a visual experience like color, harmony is something pleasing to the eye that not only engages a viewer, but also creates an inner sense of order, or a balance in the visual experience. At one extreme end of the spectrum is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged, and the human brain will reject the under-stimulating information. At the other end of the spectrum is a visual experience that is so overdone, that the viewer cannot stand to look at it, and the human brain will reject it because it cannot organize it. Color harmony successfully delivers both visual interest and a sense of order.

Ensuring that your designs are perfectly harmonized in color for your nameplate, graphic overlay, or membrane switches means reaching this dynamic color equilibrium.

That being said, there are several formulas suggested in order to reach color harmony. Here are a few examples:

A color scheme based on analogous colors: Analogous colors are any three colors that are side-by-side on the 12-part color wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange. Usually of these three colors, one of them predominates.

A color scheme based on complementary colors: Complementary colors are any two which are directly opposite each other, such as red and green, or red-purple and yellow-green. Using these opposing colors creates maximum contrast and maximum stability.

A color scheme based on nature: Nature provides a perfect departure point for color harmony. Regardless of whether a particular combination fits into a technical formula for color harmony, the colors you see working together in nature can create a harmonious design.

Observing the effects colors have on each other is the starting point of understanding the relativity of color. The relationship of values, saturation, and the warmth or coolness of respective hues can cause noticeable differences in our perception of color. With the nuances of color theory on our side, our colorists and graphic designers can create nameplates, graphic overlays, and membrane switches look just as great as they feel.

The Magic Behind Tactile Feedback

Tactile feedback is one of many options for the membrane switches we create for many of our clients. But what exactly is tactile feedback, and what purpose does it serve for your personal product needs? As your nameplate, graphic overlay, and membrane switch professionals, we at Hallmark Nameplate are here to answer all of the questions you may have about tactile feedback and how it works in relation to your product.

Tactile feedback is the use of advanced vibration patterns and waveforms to convey information to a user or operator. Think touch screens in a car, or scanners at the grocery store; these are great examples of machines or tools that use some form of tactile feedback to communicate with users.

It is true that many products on the market today, electronics especially, are designed to communicate with their users. Historically, these have always been audible or visual alerts– think LEDs, beeps, and bells. Tactile feedback appeals to the sense of touch and is increasing in demand to either augment or replace “older” alert methods. It uses a vibrating component (sometimes called an actuator) to communicate with the user. Sometimes, a vibration motor is used, or a linear resonant actuator, which is actually driven by an electronic circuit.

Adding tactile feedback has two huge benefits for manufacturers. First, it can heavily improve the user experience. Even everyday products are now being built with touch displays and interfaces that use tactile feedback heavily. Secondly, they also improve the performance of the operators. Using vibrations to transmit information through a control system allows the user to concentrate on the task at hand. This can range from simple input confirmations, safety alarms, or even positioning information. Medical applications that use some sort of tactile confirmation when data has been entered has been proven to help reduce patient misdosing in hospitals.

If creating a membrane switch for a product that involves some sort of typing, using a virtual keyboard with a simple “short button” press effect differentiates greatly from the effect of a “long press.” This feedback enables the user to type quicker with less mistakes, which makes the experience less frustrating and more like typing on a real keyboard.

When it comes to creating a membrane switch that works with a product capable of tactile feedback, there are several options to choose from. At Hallmark Nameplate, you can rest assured that your membrane switches will feature robust construction, which is completely sealed from the outside environment. We manufacture membrane switches that are fully tactile, which allows us to support a wide variety of designs and applications.

Our tactile switches are internally vented for a complete seal, to protect it from the elements in a compromised environment. It is also available in an SS dome, polydome, or hydro form dome construction. Capable of more than one million actuations, it’s safe to say that our high-quality membrane switches will suit your every need.

These membrane switches are non-standard, meaning that each one is specially designed for your product specifications. Industries we serve include medical equipment, computer peripherals, and the military and aerospace industries. This allows a user interface with equipment while at the same time, protecting the machinery from contaminants, environmental hazards, and debris.

Construction elements including conductive silver, copper flex, and PCB are all able to be used in a specifically tactile membrane switch environment. With conductive silver, you can also incorporate the use of LEDs and resistors. Higher density traces are available with copper flex, and construction is endless with PCB; single, double, and multi sided construction are available along with multiple connector options.

Hallmark Nameplate’s membrane can also be provided with or without terminating connectors as well as:

  • LED indicator lights
  • Backlight (LED, fiber optic, EL)
  • Chemical and Weather Resistant
  • ESD/EMI/RFI Shielding
  • Various connector configurations

There are plenty of other questions that have to be answered when you’re planning to create a membrane switch, and working with a dedicated, world-class company is just one of the steps you can take toward a successful, functioning product. Hallmark Nameplate’s sincere focus on your product from conception to design to completion is reason enough to get your project going. If you have more questions about the tactile function of membrane switches or would like to get your product created, contact us today!

Hallmark Nameplate Product Applications

Hallmark Nameplate is so dedicated to the quality of our work that one of our most popular and versatile products are in our name. Our nameplates provide decorative solutions that enhance your product, while at the same time, offering quick turnaround times without sacrificing an ounce of quality.

Generally, nameplate production includes both labels and overlays that don’t require embossing or extensive engineering. Compared to graphic overlays, nameplates offer faster production and lower pricing. At Hallmark Nameplate, we have more than 55 years of nameplate experience. When it’s time to begin working on your next nameplate project, our team will be able to walk you through the entire development process to make sure that you have the right nameplate for your specific needs and application.

In a similar way, graphic overlays are aesthetically pleasing. However, they do offer an added bonus of functionality.  Our graphic overlays are either screen or digitally printed, similar to our nameplates, except they will require additional processing like embossing, trans-colored display windows, or selective texturing.

There are a vast amount of applications for our products, from the most simple to the most complex needs of our customers. While this is true, there are still common applications, and we’re here to walk you through some of them.

Medical and Other Heavy-Cleaning Facilities

Aesthetics and durability are both critical for medical equipment overlays, membrane switches, and brand identity labels These products must reinforce the branding of the product, as well as withstand harsh cleaning chemicals and heavy usage that are used in the medical industry. When you’re working with tools of the medical trade, it’s important to have functioning, easy-to-decipher nameplates (and overlays) to provide the information necessary to get the job done. Graphic overlays are very popular for medical equipment because they have the ability to aid in visual display. Through the use of either transparent windows or selective texturing, LEDs or clear windows can display information such as heart rates, temperatures, or other life-saving medical information.

Our graphic overlays, which require protection from form the elements, are also very useful outside of the medical field. Beyond hospitals and nursing homes, our technology can benefit schools, government offices, shopping malls, grocery stores, airports, hotels, fitness centers, high traffic environments, and cafeterias in the same way.

Military Technology

Hallmark Nameplate is proud to partner with U.S. Military suppliers for nameplates. Our products are thoroughly tested and capable of military-grade conditions, and our commitment to design and materials is evidenced by our standing as an ITAR Compliant vendor.

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of United States government regulations that control the export and import of defense-related goods on the United States Munitions List (USML). ITAR is enforced through the U.S. Department of State and is designed to protect the country’s military and defense objects. For Hallmark Nameplate, compliance means that information and material pertaining to defense and military technologies for items listed on the U.S. Munitions List may only be shared with U.S. persons unless authorization from the Department of State is given.

Our ITAR compliance ensures that if your organization is a vendor for the U.S, military, our nameplates are similarly guarded as part of an ITAR compliant operation.

Branding, Personal and Business Use

Our nameplates are often used for long-term marketing purposes because they are so durable and informational at the same time. A nameplate can serve a simple purpose, such as displaying the name and title of a manager on their office door. At the same time, the uniqueness of a nameplate can stretch as far as providing instructional material for a piece of complex machinery, or even promotional, permanent advertising for a business.

What is unique about graphic overlays for business use is that there is an added environmental protection. With this, a company that works with chemicals or liquids that could contaminate or damage the inside of a piece of machinery can rest assured that those contaminants won’t get past the overlay.

Regardless of your profession or the industry you work in, Hallmark Nameplate will be able to exceed your expectations with our products. Your project will flow seamlessly from conception to completion. If you’re looking to create a new nameplate or graphic overlay for your business, contact Hallmark Nameplate today!