Transportation Nameplates & Labels
Harsh temperatures and road exposure
Nameplates, data plates, control graphics, and safety labels for ground and air transportation equipment. Constructions rated for road salt, temperature swings, wash cycles, and years of outdoor exposure.
U.S. Nameplate Co. provides long-lasting, customized identification to U.S. original equipment manufacturers serving the transportation industry. Among our most loyal customers are luxury motor coach manufacturers, railroad car and accessory manufacturers, and jetway gate and ground transport equipment manufacturers. Quotes are free.
Transportation equipment we identify
Transportation equipment carries more regulated identification than almost anything else we supply, and it carries it in public view. A motor coach plate is read by a passenger as well as an inspector, so it has to satisfy a specification and still look like part of a finished vehicle.
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Luxury motor coaches and passenger vehicles
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Railroad cars and rail accessories
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Jetway gates and ground transport equipment
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Work trucks, bodies, and upfitted vehicles
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Trailers and towed equipment
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Transit and fleet vehicles carrying asset identification
Service conditions
Our products can be produced to withstand all types of conditions and weather. For transportation specifically, four requirements come up on nearly every program.
Durable indoor and outdoor brand identity
The same vehicle carries interior plates seen by passengers and exterior identification exposed to road spray, sun, and washing. Both have to hold their appearance.
Temperature variance
Materials that withstand harsh or extreme temperature variances, on vehicles that move between climates within a single trip.
UV resistance
Sunlight is the single biggest cause of faded vehicle identification. UV-resistant constructions and clearcoats are specified rather than assumed.
Serial number and VIN identificationUnique identifiers tied to one vehicle record, with sequential numbering and barcoding available. See
serial plates.
VIN and serial identification
Vehicle identification is the part of this work with the least tolerance for error. The number is tied to a title, a registration, a warranty, and a regulatory record, and a plate that becomes unreadable creates a problem that outlives the vehicle.
Plates and tags are custom-made from metal or flexible materials at any size, screen or digitally printed for durability, or aluminum etched for harsh conditions. Sequential numbering and barcoding are available, and plates are produced in order so they reach your line in sequence.
Where the identifier must be readable decades later, we specify marking that lives in the metal — etched, embossed, or Metalphoto® imaged — rather than printed on top of it.
Materials and processes
Anodized aluminum
Sapphire-hard surface with roughly 20-year exterior life. The standard for exterior vehicle plates.
Metalphoto®Sub-surface photographic imaging, fire, abrasion, and corrosion resistant. Used where a plate must stay scannable for the service life of the vehicle. See
Metalphoto processing.
Stainless steel and brass
Where appearance is part of the specification, particularly on passenger-facing interior plates.
Overlaminated polyesterFor decals and safety labelling, with UV clearcoat to prevent fading. See
laminating.
Reflective vinyl
3M Scotchcal™ white reflective, where identification has to be seen by a headlight rather than read in daylight.
Low-surface-energy adhesives
For powder-coated and composite body panels, which standard adhesives will not hold to reliably.
Identification components
VIN and serial plates
The regulated identifier, tied to one vehicle record.
Rating and capacity platesWeights, loads, pressures, and operating limits. See
rating plates.
Safety and warning labelsHazard and operating information at the point of use. See
warning labels.
Control panels and overlaysDriver and operator interfaces. See
control panel overlays.
Brand and model identificationExterior badging and interior brand plates. See
metal nameplates.
Trade shows and memberships
Our staff stay informed about the transportation industry by regularly attending tradeshows and through memberships including the Association for the Work Truck Industry (NTEA).
How a transportation order runs
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Tell us the vehicle and the requirement. Including any regulated content the plate must carry. Our seasoned art department turns a blueprint or artwork into a press-ready proof at no charge.
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We recommend the construction. Material and marking method chosen against exposure, appearance requirements, and required service life.
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You approve the proof. Including the number sequence and any barcode, 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 supply. Sequential plates can run against a stocking program so numbers arrive in order as the line needs them.
Transportation RFQ checklist
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The vehicle or equipment, and where the identification mounts
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Drawings or artwork, with plate sizes and hole positions
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Any regulated content the plate must carry, and the standard behind it
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The number range, and whether numbering continues from a previous order
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Whether the plate is interior or exterior, and the surface it mounts to
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Whether appearance is part of the specification
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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 transportation 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 transportation nameplates and labels
We offer free quotes on all transportation 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.
