Nameplates: What makes a Good Nameplate?

New businesses need a logo that speaks, that is easily recognizable, that has style. Good nameplates are an extension of a good logo.

Manufacturers often try to emulate the nameplate design of the most recognizable brands in their respective industry, often at a great expense. While a brand might have a strong identity and a legacy of quality, a closer look at its branding techniques may reveal conceptual flaws that new businesses must avoid. Take Marshall Amplification, the gold standard of the rock n roll sound: its nameplate is one of the worst—a white, cheap plastic nameplate with the company name in cursive. Over time, Marshall amplification has made their logo stand for something in that they build amps of the highest quality with a remarkable sound. If you are a new amp company, do not be fooled that by imitating Marshall's logo you will make people think you have their sound. Be creative, create your own brand, over time - if you make a product as solid as Marshall - you will have created a brand.

Secondly, the industry leaders normally sell in large quantities and their upfront tooling costs can be out of reach for a new company. So think about how you can create a logo/nameplate that can be made to look great without a lot of upfront cost.

So what are the rules of good nameplate design?

Use a medium that compliments the packaging of your product.
Labels and even domed labels are run-of-the-mill—they do not speak with any authority. Three-dimensional plastic or metallic nameplates, however, not only present your brand visually but also allows the user to actually touch your brand, creating a visceral, multi-sensorial attachment between product and consumer. Customization options for 3-D plastic and metal nameplates allow for greater design control in the configuration of your nameplate.

Give your copy/logo room to breathe.
On a nameplate, just as on a printed page, white space is a critical part of design. Make sure there is enough background so that the background adds depth to the logo. The right perspective between copy and background is key to good logo design.

Emphasize color.
A nameplate with a spot of color instead of just black and silver will always have more pop. But monochromatic nameplates—i.e. black-on-black or contrasting shades of silver—remain iconic and cool. However, when creating logos on a computer, bear in mind that all these colors and shades that look great on a screen cannot be duplicated on hard surfaces without spending large sums of money.

Complement your copy with an appropriate background design.
Square corner backgrounds, for example, work best with block style lettering and script or italic copy look better with radius corners, or ovals and circles. You should always layout your copy in several different background shapes to get a feel for the best aesthetics for your nameplate/logo.

Mix materials and manufacturing processes.
For a look that will make your nameplate/logo stand out from the crowd, mix mediums and materials in the manufacture of your nameplate. Domed nameplates—especially those with four-color intricate design—look great in bezels or as a part of the nameplate. When you combine the color of doming into a molded or metal nameplate, the branding takes on a totally different look. Molded logos in etched metal nameplates can also add splash or vice versa.

Why say something in 2 dimensions, when you can say it in 3D? ID3's 3Dimensional nameplates do not require special glasses to see the 3D effect.

American made nameplates for American made products. If you are a company with American made products, why would you allow your vendors to supply you with components or even worse - nameplates/logos/your brand made in China?

Musical Nameplates

Nameplates for Things that Go Fast

Industrial Nameplates - the visual differences

Industrial Nameplates - Examples of different custom industrial nameplates

Plastic Nameplate/Logo Design

Metal Nameplate/logo Design

Nameplate links

Architectural Signage by ID3

Nameplates - by ID3, Inc.