Military & Defense Nameplates
Military-grade Metalphoto®
Identification plates and labels for defense equipment held to demanding specifications and revision control. We produce Metalphoto® parts used for military-grade specifications known to go through some of the harshest conditions.
U.S. Nameplate Co. supplies customized identification — including Metalphoto® — to military original equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Military branches commonly supply blueprints calling out federal standards and specifications, and we have the expertise to recognize those requirements and ensure compliance. We are a UL authorized label supplier and a recognized supplier for UL system I and II labeling and marking systems.
Federal standards and specifications
The distinguishing feature of defense work is not the environment. It is the drawing. Military branches commonly supply blueprints that call out federal standards and specifications, and the identification has to answer to them exactly.
We have the expertise to recognize those requirements and ensure compliance. In practice that means the specification callout on your print is read as a specification, not translated into whatever we normally run — which is the most common failure when identification is bought from a general commercial supplier.
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Ground vehicles and tactical equipment
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Aircraft and aerospace sub-assemblies
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Marine and shipboard equipment
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Shelters, containers, and deployable systems
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Communications and electronics enclosures
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Generators, pumps, and support equipment
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Spares and depot-level replacement identification
Metalphoto for defense
Metalphoto® products meet military specifications, and it is the process we recommend most often for this work.
The image is developed inside the anodic layer of the aluminum and sealed over, using the porous nature of unsealed anodized aluminum much like traditional black-and-white photography. There is no ink film on the surface to abrade, fade, or chip. It is designated as the most durable aluminum substrate available, is UL recognized, and is fire, abrasion, and corrosion resistant.
It also carries very high resolution, which matters when a small plate has to hold a dense specification block, a National Stock Number, or a barcode that must still scan at depot years later. See Metalphoto processing.
UL recognition
Just as the military must be nimble, we recognize that we have to adapt to changing technologies to serve these clients. U.S. Nameplate Co. is a UL authorized label supplier, as well as a recognized supplier for UL system I and II labeling and marking systems.
Many of our products are able to withstand harsh or extreme temperature variances and rugged environments. See our UL authorized label supplier reference and ANSI/UL 969 recognition reference.
Materials and processes
Metalphoto® — .003″–.125″
Matte, satin, and satin gold. Meets or exceeds the strictest military standards.
Anodized aluminum
Sapphire-hard surface, insulative and static resistant, roughly 20-year exterior life.
Stainless steel
2B mill finish, for caustic, acidic, and marine conditions.
Metal etchingRecessed, color-filled legends with high chemical and abrasion resistance. See
metal etching.
EmbossingRaised characters that remain legible after service has worn any printed image away. See
embossing and forming.
Machined hole patternsHoles in almost any location from .05″ to 3.5″, machined to your print. See
punching, machining, and forming.
Identification components
Identification and data platesNomenclature, part and serial numbers, and specification data. See
metal nameplates.
Serial and asset platesUnique identifiers tied to one equipment record, with sequential numbering and barcoding. See
serial plates.
Rating platesCapacities, electrical values, pressures, and operating limits. See
rating plates.
Instruction and warning platesOperating and hazard information at the point of use. See
warning labels.
Control panels and overlaysOperator interfaces built for the environment. See
aluminum control panels.
How a defense order runs
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Send the print, including the specification callouts. Our seasoned art department turns a blueprint into a press-ready proof at no charge, and quotes are free on every order.
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We confirm the specification. Substrate, marking process, finish, and geometry read directly from the drawing rather than substituted.
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You approve the proof. Including any variable data and barcodes, verified as scannable.
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Production. Most jobs finish 7–10 days after the proof is approved, in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility. Rush work runs 3–5 business days for an additional fee.
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Repeat and spares supply. Programs can run against a stocking program so spares are available without a new production run.
Defense RFQ checklist
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The drawing, including every federal standard or specification called out
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Plate size, hole positions, and finish requirements
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The equipment and the environment it operates in
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Whether any UL system I or II marking requirement applies
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The number range, and whether numbering continues from a previous order
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Any documentation or certification you need supplied with the parts
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Quantity and your timing, including the date the line actually needs parts
If you do not have all of that yet, send what you have and call 319-895-8804. Customer service is open 8:00 AM–4:30 PM CST Monday through Thursday and 7:00 AM–3:30 PM CST Friday, and you will always reach someone in person.
Since 1946
Family-owned and operated in Mount Vernon, Iowa
3,000+
OEMs supplied across the U.S. and abroad
25 years
Outdoor exposure, some products guaranteed longer
7–10 days
Typical production after proof approval
$0
Tooling fee on in-house equipment
Why U.S. Nameplate Co.
Why military & defense manufacturers choose U.S. Nameplate Co.
One partner, one roof
Metal identification and flexible labels are produced under one roof in Mount Vernon, Iowa, so a single supplier covers plates, tags, overlays, decals, and safety labels instead of three.
No tooling fee on in-house equipment
U.S. Nameplate Co. does not charge a tooling fee for any in-house equipment. A one-time charge applies only when a tool has to be created for your order.
You reach a person
Customer service representatives are available 8:00 AM–4:30 PM CST Monday through Thursday and 7:00 AM–3:30 PM CST Friday. You will always reach someone in person.
Built to outlast the equipment
Metal nameplates are built to withstand up to 25 years of outdoor exposure, with some products guaranteed for 25 years or more. Safety labels are UL authorized and OSHA compliant, produced in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.
Family-owned since 1946
Supplier of choice to more than 3,000 original equipment manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad, with team members averaging 10+ years of service.
One piece or one million
The 55,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility is equipped to handle orders from a single plate to production volumes, on repeat release schedules.
Request a quote for military & defense nameplates and labels
We offer free quotes on all military & defense identification orders. Send the drawing, artwork, quantities, application, and timing you have today — our art department turns a blueprint into a press-ready proof, and we will tell you what is still open.
Most jobs finish 7–10 days after the proof is approved. Rush orders can be produced in 3–5 business days for an additional fee. Orders ship within a 10% over/under quantity standard.
Request a Quote or call 319-895-8804 and you will reach someone in person.
