MetalPhoto^® Anodized Aluminum Tags

Create Durable Tags and Labels Through Custom Photo Anodizing

Is your facility facing issues like:

• Misplaced or stolen equipment?
• Poor-quality labels and tags ill-suited for harsh environments?
• Quickly cycling through tags and regularly needing replacements?
• Missed inspection deadlines?

MetalPhoto anodized aluminum labels are the solution, and our team can provide you with quality, customized products delivered to your facility quickly.

What is Photo Anodization?

Most of the methods for putting information on metal tags are straightforward – a stamp presses into the metal, a laser etches it, or ink is applied via screen printing. However, photo anodization is a unique process.

Creating anodized tags requires a special photosensitive anodized aluminum material. When the material is processed, the desired information is embedded under the layers of aluminum, producing an incredibly durable solution that will hold up to harsh industrial conditions.

Photo anodized metal tags can feature any information a customer requires, including alphanumeric characters, designs, and imaging. This means barcodes, logos, and even large-scale designs like architectural schematics or pictures can be added with ease.

When Anodized Aluminum Labels Are the Right Choice

Industries That Choose Custom Anodized Tags

MetalPhoto tags are used by nearly every industry and sector under the sun, but some prominent ones include:

Key Benefits and Customization Opportunities

• Size and shape options – Photo anodized aluminum tags are made exactly to your specifications. Need a unique size or shape? We can make it! We produce a large range of tag sizes, shapes, and thicknesses, working with you to create the perfect nameplate. Add holes to hang your MetalPhoto tag from a wire, mount them directly with screws, or use an industrial-grade adhesive backing for an easy peel-and-stick application.
• Informational diversity – With our photo anodizing process, we can add any information to your tags, including text, numbers, logos, and images. Our photographic imaging process is perfect for adding information like machine schematics directly onto equipment control panels, leaving it safe from abrasion and outdoor exposure for decades to come. We can also include variable information and distinct serial numbers on each tag.
• Barcodes and QR codes – Need asset tracking tags, or perhaps IUID tags? MetalPhoto features the ability to add a barcode label or QR code to your tag design. Your custom information is stored in the barcode and accessible via a quick scan, streamlining processes.
• Color options – Anodization allows solid color to be added to the aluminum material, resulting in a non-reflective, colored matte background. Many organizations choose this option to color-code their equipment, valves, or machinery. Keep in mind that this process is only capable of creating a black design. However, you could also use a black background with your design showing up as the natural aluminum color (or the same hue as a colored background).
• Durability – Anodized aluminum is a highly durable, lightweight material, being able to stand up to the toughest industrial environments and withstand weathering and corrosion. Need your machine-readable barcodes to handle years of salt spray? No other asset tag solution offers corrosion resistance properties like MetalPhoto.

Applications Suited for MetalPhoto Anodized Aluminum

Why Metal Marker Mfg. Is Your Source for Photo Anodizing

Metal Marker Manufacturing is a uniquely qualified supplier of custom MetalPhoto nameplates. We stand out due to our:

• Quick delivery of custom products
• Easy ordering process
• ISO9001 and AS9100 certified quality management system
• Extensive experience, having provided USA-made products for more than a century
• Award-winning quality and delivery, backed by our Better Business Bureau accreditation
• Knowledgeable customer service representatives who work with you to develop the best solution to meet your requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About Anodized Tags and Labels

What are your MetalPhoto sheet size options?

MetalPhoto sheets are available in a wide range of sizes, letting us meet any need and keep operations efficient. Customers also benefit from a range of sheet sizes, as large sheets can lead the way for big designs, and small sheets can be used to save on material costs for small production runs.

MetalPhoto sheet sizes include:

• 10” x 12”
• 12” x 20”
• 20″ x 20″
• 20” x 24”
• 20” x 40”

Which MetalPhoto size is best for my application?

Answering this all depends on the specific details of an application and project, but some general guidelines are as follows.

Small

• Many applications only require small metal nameplates to convey the proper information. For example, if you’re going to just affix a simple barcode tag to an asset, a small-size nameplate is perfect. It facilitates scanning without adding a bulky plate to your equipment.
• Tags with smaller dimensions are also preferable for fitting into tight industrial spaces. For example, valve tags sometimes have to squeeze into close quarters.
• The best part of utilizing smaller sheets is that you can save on costs. For example, if you need many nameplates with small dimensions, they might all fit onto a small sheet. This saves the manufacturer from having to use extra material, and, in turn, will reduce the price of your tags.

Medium

• Medium-sized anodized aluminum tags are best suited for nameplates. These versatile and durable plates are typically used to mark and identify equipment, shipping containers, and other machinery, and are sometimes referred to as data plates or placards.
• Their high durability and customization opportunities mean these nameplates are ready to accommodate any industry’s unique needs, and they’re ideal for adding QR codes or data matrix codes for tracking.

Large

• If your application calls for something bigger, large MetalPhoto sheets can be processed into full-size signs or nameplates. For example, if you need a large warning sign that will remain legible even in harsh industrial environments, MetalPhoto is a great solution.
• Since any design or image can be embedded in the material, the only real limits are what you can imagine. For instance, these large sheets have been used for large diagrams of architectural schematics, creating highly durable and visually striking pieces that can be used on construction sites or as display pieces.

Can you tell me more about the durability of anodized aluminum labels?

One of the things that makes photo anodization so unique is that the design is not produced using just topical ink, like in screen printing. Instead, it is a high-resolution graphic protected between layers of aluminum. As such, it is not able to be easily scratched or scraped off.

Along with this, it is rated for 20+ years in outdoor environments, allowing it to endure wear and tear, weather, water, heat, and more. It’s also notable for its UV resistance, chemical resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Get Durable, Permanent Solutions with Custom Anodized Tags

From custom fittings on equipment to packing a ton of information in a small area, MetalPhoto tags can do it all. So, whether you need 5,000 small asset tags with QR codes or 50 huge safety signs, photo anodization is your gateway to a long-lasting solution.

Contact our team to get started on a project!