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Month: August 2017

What Type of Nameplate Fits Your Needs?

A nameplate serves to identify your products, inform your products’ users, and represent your brand. A nameplate can be constructed from a large selection of materials and attached to your products by a variety of methods. There is a myriad of styles and materials that you can choose from to create a nameplate that will reflect the message you want to project to the world. The most important thing when choosing how to create a nameplate is determining how it will fit your needs. Here is a brief guide on what you should consider when choosing a nameplate the is right for you.

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Materials

Nameplates can be made out of practically any kind of material, but you have to make certain the material you want to be used is compatible with the product or the location the nameplate will be located. For example, aluminum is great to use on equipment or in locations that need to be kept clean to meet health codes or kept free of grease. Aluminum can withstand different cleaning agents without breaking down and becoming scratched and dull. Aluminum nameplates are also highly resistant to corrosive materials and rust. If you are going to make parts for the aerospace or marine industries, the use of aluminum-based products for nameplates may even be required in the specifications of the products you are making. If you need something with a harder surface, you can have your nameplates made out of stainless steel.

Here are some other materials you can use:

  • Polyester – Polyester is very useful in industrial settings such as tool and dies shops. The nameplates can have multiple colors that are useful to catch the eyes of people using or standing near the industrial equipment. They can alert people to the dangers of the equipment. Polyester is a long-lasting and heat-resistant material that won’t fade or color for a long time.
  • Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate is good to use when the nameplate will probably undergo a lot of moving around and banging. Polycarbonate is an impact-resistant material that won’t wear down fast and is great to use on things like refrigeration and air conditioning units.
  • Metal – Metal nameplates can be a longer lasting and more durable solution for indoor or outdoor use. Hallmark Nameplate offers aluminum and metal photo with various material finishes.

Finishes

Most of the nameplates can have a different type of finish. You can apply a gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finish (dull) to the nameplate. A gloss finish will make the nameplate stand out as it shines. The gloss material will also add some strength to the surface and protect it from scratches. The matte finish is typically used on nameplates that will blend into a dull surrounding. The semi-gloss finish is useful when you want the nameplate to stand out a little, but not too much.

Adhesives

There are many different types of adhesives and the one you choose will depend on the material used to make the nameplate and the type of surface the nameplate will be mounted on. This is important if you aren’t using fasteners to mount the nameplate. You should talk to your Hallmark representative about the type of adhesive that will be best used in your particular situation.

You can learn more about what industrial nameplates will be best for your application from our certified experts at Hallmark Nameplate.

What Being ISO 9001 Certified Means for the Customer

Before we get into the specifics of ISO 9001 certification it’s important to understand that certification does not guarantee the quality of products or services that a company will provide. What certification is designed to do is set a standard that both engineers and their customers can easily identify. This allows them to discriminate between quality work and work that does not meet industry standards. ISO 9001 certification keeps all companies accountable and consistent in the production of nameplates as well as other products. Certification also helps the company establish credibility and will help them secure more clients in the future.

What is ISO 9001?

It is important to understand what ISO 9001 and the standard that it sets. ISO 9001 specifies the regulations for establishing management systems that either meet or exceed industry standards worldwide. Organizations that utilize this standard, do so in order to demonstrate competency in providing products and services that meet customer needs at a high level. Of all the standards in the ISO 9000 series, it is by far the most used and the most popular.

What Professional Areas Does ISO 9001 Cover?

ISO 9001 is designed off of a very specific methodology:

  • Plan
  • Do
  • Check
  • Act

It is an approach that has a rigid process that reviews and documents a company’s procedures, its daily structures, and responsibility assignments. It is intended to help an organization achieve high-level management in a manner that is both efficient and beneficial to the customer. What are the areas that ISO 9001 covers?

  • Company operation manual documentation
  • Document flow and control throughout a system
  • Developing strategies for process interactions
  • Assigning upper level management responsibilities
  • Management and distribution of resources including the workforce and work environments
  • Product development and completion from start to finish
  • Measured assessment of progress including how the process benefits the customer.
  • Audit preparedness and correction. Preventative measures to pass future audits both internally and from customer reviews.

Understanding ISO 9001 Certification

Although a company can claim to be ISO 9001 certified the credential does not specify which standard the certification applies to. In a nutshell, being ISO 9001 certified simply means that an organization or company has fulfilled all requirements in ISO 9001. An organization that can demonstrate competency within a Quality Management System (QMS) with a focus on meeting or exceeding customer expectations is a strong candidate for accreditation.

The goal of meeting ISO 9001 requirements should be to deliver 100% customer satisfaction in all areas of operations. This would include creating quality products, prompt deliveries, fair pricing, effective and regular communication, and establishing a smooth process that the customer can easily understand. It also includes a willingness and plan of action for improving all areas of the company including facilities, staffing, and production.

Continuous evaluation and improvement demonstrate to the customer that you value their business and the product that you are selling. Improved customer satisfaction benefits all parties involved including the company, its employees, partnerships, and clients. ISO 9001 Also ensures that a company is meeting all legal and industry regulations in order to maintain safety and security in all daily work procedures. It benefits the company as well as all so those who are interested in the company’s products.

Comparing ISO 9001 Quality Management to Basic Management Systems

How does 9001 Quality Management compare to general management systems? While there are similarities in both systems, 9001 has a focus on specific types of commerce as it applies to customer relations. It helps companies zero in on more narrow areas in an attempt to win over and keep loyal clients in the long run. It is part of a much larger package that an organization can use to establish their reputation in the community.

If you need overlays for your control panels, then contact Hallmark Nameplates today. We can custom design your nameplates to your exact specifications and have them ready when you need them. We engineer all types of overlays including abrasion resistant overlays. Call us today at 800-874-9063 and let us help you get your next overlay project off the ground.

Which Nameplate Substrate is Best for You?

Hallmark Nameplate offers a wide range of substrate option so that you can get your nameplate designed exactly the way you want it. Deciding which substrate for you involves several decisions about what the plate will look like and what it will be used for. The right substrate can speed up production as well as protect your control panel that you may be utilizing. Below is a description of the substrates we offer as well as characteristics that you should be looking for to determine which one is better for you. If you have any further questions you can contact Hallmark Nameplate today. We can help you choose the right nameplate for your company.

Substrate Materials

When considering the best substrate for your company, the type of material it is made of will ultimately determine what you will use. Below are some of the substrates that Hallmark Nameplate uses.

Aluminum. Of all the substrate nameplates available, aluminum is hands down the most durable. It can take the abuse of intense environments and industrial use every single day. Aluminum is regularly used for outside applications, but can also be used inside as well.

Polycarbonate. Do you work in an environment in which extreme temperatures go from high to low throughout the day? Polycarbonate is the best material for these situations because it can expand and contract without any damage to the material.

Polyester substrate. Are you tired of your nameplates fading in the sun? Then polyester is your best bet for UV-resistance. The surface can withstand both sunlight and heat for long periods. What is printed on the surface will stay on the surface without fading.

Vinyl. The best feature of vinyl is that it provides both rigid and flexible options as well as a wide range of thicknesses for almost any type of applications. It is not an ideal material for outdoor use. Therefore, if you need vinyl out in the sun and heat, then you’ll want to protect it with a UV overlaminate. This will ensure that it lasts.

What to Look For

Before you select the right substrate for your company, you’ll need to establish the right criteria based on answering some questions. For instance:

  • How often will the panel be used?
  • What is the intensity of daily activity when using the panel?
  • What will the nameplate be used for?
  • Are there any specific components or parts you’ll need for the nameplate?
  • What type of device will the substrate be used for?
  • Will the nameplate be used inside or outside? Is it a light or intense environment?
  • Is the printing design or control panel simple or complex? Is it detailed or a basic layout?
  • Does the panel contain buttons, levers, or knobs?

Establishing Your Purpose

When determining what nameplate is best for you, you’ll want to establish the purpose and the setting. Many of the nameplates above are designed for a wide range of applications to give you flexibility. So regardless of what type of panel you’ll need the plate for and what environment you’re in, you’ll still have a broad spectrum of choices. When you sit down with a Hallmark Nameplate engineer, we can go every facet of your workplace and give you our suggestions for the type of substrate that will work perfectly for the type of equipment you are operating.

If you would like to know more about the options that are available to you, then contact Hallmark Nameplate. We can custom-design nameplates, graphic overlays, and other similar products for your control panels. Call us today at 800-874-9063 and let us help you with your upcoming project from start to finish.