Polycarbonate Nameplates

China Printing Online offers premium custom printed Polycarbonate Nameplates, PC Nameplates, Lexan Nameplates, Lexan Polycarbonate Overlays and Panels.

What is a polycarbonate nameplate?

A polycarbonate nameplate is a durable, high-performance plastic identification label made from polycarbonate resin. It is known for its extreme impact resistance, optical clarity, and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Polycarbonate is preferred for its “sub-surface” printing capabilities, meaning the ink is printed on the backside of a clear sheet. This protects the graphics from chemicals, scratching, abrasion, and fading.

They are widely used in industrial, medical, and commercial applications because they are virtually indestructible compared to paper or standard plastic labels.

Advantages of Using Lexan

Polycarbonate (Lexan) Nameplates are a popular choice in nearly all environments and applications due to its durable and versatile characteristics. Polycarbonate nameplates have superior mechanical strength, toughness and clarity so the polycarbonate nameplate can also survive extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, chemical abrasions and corrosion. Because it is a highly resistant material, Polycarbonate nameplates are well suited for harsh indoor and outdoor environments.

Lexan is a registered polycarbonate produced by General Electric plastics that is also used to produce graphic overlays, nameplates, control panels, display plates, nametags and decals etc. Lexan nameplates are highly durable and cost effective. Lexan textured films are typically used in membrane switch overlays, labels, control panels and nameplates as they offer broad flexibility and artistic appeal.

Lexan polycarbonate overlay nameplates are subsurface printed for maximum durability, predominantly screen printed or digitally printed, but can be UV offset full color printed as well.

Screen-printed nameplates are high quality and visually appealing for decorative, promotional or instructional purposes. Screen-printed polycarbonate nameplates are a popular choice for nearly any indoor equipment and industrial nameplate application due to their high mechanical strength and superior optical clarity.

The subsurface printing process done in this nameplate production protects your designs, they can’t be rubbed, scuffed or scratched off including color and graphic images, from cleaners, solvents, abrasives, and even a variety of climates and outdoor elements. This makes Lexan polycarbonate an excellent choice for nameplates, control panels, instrument panels and overlays.

Lexan nameplates are a durable and economical labeling solution for light to moderate exposure in a variety of industrial applications. Lexan polycarbonate nameplates are commonly used for industrial field like equipment overlays and nameplates, switches, automotive panels, product identification labels and control panel overlays. Nameplates made of polycarbonate film are easy to die cut, emboss and print, provide great design flexibility for engineers.

Custom Printed Polycarbonate Nameplates Frequently Asked Questions

What range of PC nameplates do you offer?

• We can supply Polished clear/transparent polycarbonate film, Velvet matte textured polycarbonate film, Brushed polycarbonate film, Scratch-resistant polycarbonate, Abrasion Resistant Polycarbonate, AR Coated Polycarbonate, Black polycarbonate film.

What thickness options do you offer for polycarbonate nameplates?

• We offer a variety of thicknesses ranging from thin, flexible overlays (0.005″) to rigid, structural nameplates (up to 0.030″ and thicker).
• 125 microns (0.005″, 5mils, 0.125mm), 175 microns (0.007″, 7mils, 0.175mm), 250 microns (0.01″, 10mils, 0.25mm), 380 microns (0.015″, 15mils, 0.38mm), 500 microns (0.02″, 20mils, 0.50mm), 760 microns (0.030″, 30mils, 0.76mm).

What is the temperature range for polycarbonate nameplates?

• Polycarbonate typically performs well in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 130°C (-40°F to 266°F), depending on the specific thickness and adhesive used.

What additional materials do you have available?

• We also offer custom nameplates in a wide variety substrates including PVC, Polycarbonate, Polyester, Acrylic, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Domed and more.

What is “sub-surface” printing?

• This is the industry-standard method for polycarbonate nameplates. We print your design on the back of a clear sheet of polycarbonate. This creates a permanent layer of protection between the environment and your graphic, ensuring the text and logos never wear off.

Can I get custom shapes and sizes?

• Yes. We offer precision die-cutting and digital cutting (CNC) services. Whether you need standard rectangles with rounded corners or complex custom geometric shapes to fit your equipment, we can manufacture them to your exact specifications.

Can I use full-color images and logos?

• Yes. Polycarbonate supports high-resolution digital or screen printing, allowing for vibrant, full-color logos, complex gradients, and crisp text.

Can I include variable data (like serial numbers) on these plates?

• Yes. Through digital printing or laser marking, we can incorporate sequential numbering, barcodes, QR codes, and custom data fields onto your polycarbonate nameplates.

Can these nameplates include windows for LEDs or LCD screens?

• Absolutely. Polycarbonate is excellent for control panels. We can create “clear windows” (glossy or transparent) for displays and “dead-front” windows, where the text is only visible when the LED behind it is illuminated.

What finishing options are available for your PC nameplates?

• We offer a wide variety of finishes including matte, glossy, brushed, tinted, adhesive-free windows, embossed buttons and were custom die cut.

• The more common choice is the velvet finish which is excellent for hiding surface scratches.
• Texture or selectively textured finishes can be added to the surface of an polycarbonate nameplate.

What kind of adhesive should I use?

• The adhesive depends on the surface you are applying the nameplate to. We offer a variety of high-performance 3M industrial adhesives (3M9448A, 3M467MP, 3M468MP, 3M300LSE, 3MVHB etc.) designed for everything from smooth metal and plastic to textured, powder-coated, or low-surface-energy plastics. During your consultation, let us know the surface type, and we will recommend the best match.

Can I have embossed buttons or textures?

• Yes. We can add “embossing” to create raised buttons for control panels or add a “velvet” or “matte” texture to the surface to reduce glare and hide fingerprints.

Are these nameplates resistant to chemicals and cleaning agents?

• Yes. Because the ink is trapped behind the durable polycarbonate layer, the surface can be wiped down with most household cleaners, alcohol, or mild industrial solvents without damaging the graphic.

What is the typical Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for custom polycarbonate nameplates?

• No minimum quantities for Custom Polycarbonate Nameplates. Small orders Prototyping acceptable.

What is the typical turnaround time?

• Fast Turnaround 3-5 Working Days.

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