Metal signs made of aluminium and stainless steel in a printed design are often used to label numerous products with the brand or manufacturer name. Metal conveys a high level of quality and offers high durability. The use of a high-performance foam adhesive from the automotive sector during CNC punching of the signs creates a so-called crowning of the metal, which results in an attractive 3D look for the parts.
Metal signs are usually printed using classic screen printing, which is then baked in a special oven to improve durability. Alternatively, decoration can also be created by etching the metal. In tone-on-tone designs, the logo and text are often slightly raised and shiny, while the background is slightly recessed and matt. This creates a very elegant look. However, the same effect can also be achieved more cost-effectively by matt printing on shiny aluminium or stainless steel. The shiny parts are left out during printing. Such metal signs are usually delivered loose in a bag. To protect the high-quality metal surface during CNC punching, we cover the surface with a protective film, which is removed from the surface after the signs have been affixed. In our ‘drisag’ example, we placed the signs in rows and columns on a silicone paper carrier for an additional charge. We removed the silicone paper covers from the back of the self-adhesive labels and then placed the labels on the carrier. Finally, we removed the transparent protective film from the label surface. For installation, the customer can now simply remove the labels from the carrier and apply them to their product, saving time.
