Gold Name Plates
Gold plating, rather then solid gold plates, gives nameplates an expensive and elegant finish without the actual cost or heavy weight of solid gold. They are mostly used for labeling applications, both indoors and out. Gold plating is corrosion resistant and can be electro-plated to withstand severe outdoor weather in any climate. The automotive, marine, electronics, appliance, office and indoor temperature control industries all use gold nameplates to identify, label or decorate an area, individual or object. In offices, they are used to designate areas like the break room or conference room, as well as sit atop a desk or on a door with someone's name and job title. Vehicles like boats, golf carts, utility vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, agricultural equipment, trailers and snowmobiles are commonly adorned with a gold nameplate to display information and branding. Tool boxes, briefcases, trunks, luggage and chests also commonly have a gold nameplate mounted to their exterior, which are usually used to indicate ownership.
Gold nameplates, those that are plated, are generally made of a copper alloy. The nameplate is formed and then inscribed with text, usually by etching or engraving. This method includes chemical etching, a process that uses a stencil to cover the bare nameplate and then an abrasive chemical to corrode away the text design. Engraving with the use of a metal needle, diamond or lasers is also an effective way of giving the nameplate's text three-dimensional detail that doesn't require topical paint or ink, which wears away quickly in comparison. In addition to text, nameplates can also display company logos, images and photographs, which are usually applied by CNC operated machinery. The gold plating process is one of the last post-process applications done to the nameplate. If the material isn't a copper alloy, it is first plated with copper. Then, liquid gold or an alloy of gold is painted on in layers by a small brush. After the gold has dried, it is polished and buffed. The result is a lightweight and resilient product that looks like it is made of solid gold.
