Printing Capabilities

(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

Artwork: At Nameplate & Panel Technology, our graphic arts department is simply the best. We can convert almost any file you have into artwork that can accurately bring your design idea to reality You will find that NPT's proofing process is more precise and more complete than anyone else in the industry. Your films are generated using state of the art processing equipment and are carefully verified for accuracy prior to going to press.

Color Matching: Nameplate & Panel Technology is capable of matching colors in a variety of ink systems and on a variety of substrates. Colors can be matched to Pantone PMS, Munsell, Federal, or ANSI color reference standards. We can also match the molded plastic or painted surface onto which the final graphic will be mounted. A sample of the matched color on the specified material is sent with a request for approval prior to production. At NPT, we utilize a spectrophotometer to match colors according to CIE L*A*B* color scale, 10° Observer. As stated by the manufacturer, the use of this instrument is merely a "tool" or "aid" in helping to formulate and analyze color- in the end, the eye will always be the final arbiter of color acceptability.

Ink Systems: We utilize a variety of industry standard ink systems in our screen-printed and digitally printed graphics, which include:

Conventional air cure gloss inks for 1st and 2nd surface printing on polycarbonate, coblends, polyester, opaque polyester and vinyl.
Two-part (non-epoxy) polyester inks for untreated polyester material.
Conventional ultraviolet cured inks for 4-color halftone printing and a variety of selective hardcoat matte and textured finishes.
Digital inkjet and toner based systems along with hybrid digital/conventional constructions both 1st and 2nd surface on polyesters and vinyls.
Two-part epoxy and thermoset inks for aluminum and stainless steel surfaces.
Specialty inks such as chrome, dye based and urethane based inks on a variety of materials.
AnoScreen ink systems for unsealed aluminum surfaces.

Materials: At NPT we can print on a whole host of today's most in demand materials including:

Polycarbonate

Types	Lexan, Flame Retardant Lexan
Finishes	Matte, Velvet, Satin, Brush, Glossy, 35 to 90% glosses. Gloss and anti-glare Lexans can also have a variety of screen-printed textured hardcoat finishes.
Uses	Decorative graphics and labels for indoor use. Weatherable Lexans are available for exterior applications.
Advantages	Excellent clarity, printing, embossing and die cutting characteristics.
Disadvantages	Not as durable as polyester for membrane switch overlays with multiple actuations. Not as chemical resistant as polyester.

Coblend

Type	Blend of polyester and polycarbonate.
Finishes	Matte, Velvet
Uses	Decorative graphics, labels and overlays
Advantages	Excellent clarity, printing, embossing and die cutting characteristics of polycarbonate along with better durability of polyester.
Disadvantages	Limited finishes

Polyester Coblend

Type	PETG blend of various polyesters
Uses	Thick gage filler material can be screen printed for graphics.
Advantages	Lower cost for filler material, better clarity than thicker gage Lexan material.
Disadvantages	Limited finishes

Polyester

Types	Melinex, Autotex and Autoflex
Finishes	Velvet, Gloss and Anti-glare. Gloss and anti-glare polyesters can also have a variety of screen printed hardcoat finishes.
Uses	Decorative graphics, labels, graphic overlays and touch screen applications.
Advantages	Excellent clarity, stability, solvent resistance, and good embossing and die cutting characteristics. Weatherable polyesters are available for exterior applications.

Opaque Polyester

Type	White
Finishes	Gloss or Matte
Uses	Labels
Advantages	Requires fewer printing passes.
Disadvantages	Should have a clear protective overlam to protect printing. Not as durable as polyesters or polycarbonate materials.

Vinyl

Types	Available in colors
Finishes	Gloss or Matte
Uses	Labels
Advantages	Requires fewer printing passes.
Disadvantages	Should have a clear protective overlam to protect printing. Not as durable as polyesters or polycarbonate materials and is subject to shrinkage.

Printed Metals

NPT can take your unique design specifications and screen print them on most types and thicknesses of sheeted aluminum and stainless steel. Depending on the material and application, available ink systems include a thermoset, single component, solvent-based ink as well as a two component, solvent-based system, in which a hardener is incorporated into the ink prior to curing.

Benefits of printed metal include lower cost, endless design options and the availability of a wide range of colors.

Other Printing Options

Styrene
Glass
Acrylic

The flat side of pre-formed objects can often be screen printed