Frequently Asked Questions

Our core metals are aluminum (anodized and plain), stainless steel (304 and 316), and brass. We also work with a range of military-grade alloys on request. If your application calls for a specific alloy, send us the spec and we'll confirm.

Yes. In addition to metals, we manufacture phenolic and plastic tags for applications where weight, cost, or non-conductive properties are priorities. Phenolic is particularly common for electrical legend plates and equipment ID. We also work with vinyl, polycarbonates, Lexan, polyesters, and other flexible materials.

We can accommodate most sizes. We've produced nameplates as large as 48″ × 48″, though most parts we run are smaller — commonly around 3″ × 5″, 4″ × 6″, or 1.75″ diameter. We can also produce multiple panels within our maximum sheet size. Send us your specification and we'll confirm what's possible for your part.

Our laser engraving and chemical etching processes hold detail on parts as small as 0.5" × 0.5". For dense serialized work, we can fit fine-pitch barcodes and text on parts that fit in your palm.

Chemical etching uses a controlled acid process to remove metal in selective areas, producing recessed graphics and text that cannot be worn off, scratched away, or faded by UV. It's the most durable identification method available for harsh environments — which is why aerospace, defense, and energy customers rely on it. We've built our reputation on chemical etching since 1946.

Beyond chemical etching, we offer screen printing, laser engraving, laser cutting, digital printing, punching/forming, and finishing/tape conversion — all under one roof. See our full process list →

Yes, and we do it constantly. A typical part might be chemically etched for serial numbers, screen printed for the logo and color graphics, punched to final shape, and finished with adhesive backing. Single-source manufacturing eliminates handoffs and keeps quality tight.

Yes. Laser cutting and laser engraving are two different operations, but we can sequence them on the same part — cut to shape first, then engrave variable data like serial numbers or barcodes.

Standard etch depths range from 0.001" to 0.004". For special applications requiring deeper recesses, we can laser etch deeper depending on the substrate. Send us your specification and we'll confirm.

Yes. We can match Pantone, federal standard, and custom color specifications. For multi-color jobs, we color-match using calibrated ink and verify the match with a spectrophotometer before production.

Yes. We routinely produce nameplates and data plates that meet MIL-DTL-15024, MIL-STD-130, GG-P-455, MIL-P-19834, and other military specifications. We're ITAR-registered and equipped to handle controlled work.

We work with a range of military-grade aluminum, stainless steel, and specialty alloys commonly specified in MIL drawings. If you have a controlled-document spec, send it over and we'll confirm capability before quoting.

We prefer vector formats: Adobe Illustrator (AI), EPS, PDF, and DXF/DWG for CAD-based artwork. We can also work from high-resolution raster files (TIFF, PNG, JPG) and convert legacy drawings into production-ready art.

Vector art is strongly preferred because it scales cleanly and produces the sharpest etched and printed results. If you only have raster art or a hand-drawn sketch, we can recreate it as part of the quoting process — just send what you have.

Yes. Every job receives a digital proof for your review and approval before we begin production. Nothing hits the floor until you've signed off.

Absolutely. Many of our orders start as a CAD drawing, a sketch, or a sample part. Send what you have and our team will translate it into production-ready artwork.

Standard lead time is typically two to three weeks from proof approval, depending on quantity, processes, and material availability. Rush services are available when timelines are tight.

We accommodate orders of all sizes — from a single replacement plate to large production runs. Minimum order pricing applies for very small quantities to cover setup; full quoting reflects volume breaks.

Yes. We regularly fulfill expedited orders for customers facing tight deadlines or unexpected requirements. Contact us with your timing and we'll confirm what's possible.

Yes. Many of our customers run on blanket purchase orders with scheduled releases. We retain tooling and artwork on file so reorders are quick and consistent batch-to-batch.

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is the highest Presidential honor for performance excellence in the United States. Texas Nameplate Company is one of the smallest companies ever to win it — and we've won it twice, in 1998 and 2004.

Yes. Texas Nameplate Company maintains both ISO 9001:2015 (quality management, cert. no. 10001847 QM15) and ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management, cert. no. 10001847 UM15), certified by DQS Inc. and accredited by ANAB. View our current certificates: ISO 9001:2015 →  |  ISO 14001:2015 →

Yes. Texas Nameplate Company is a UL Solutions Authorized Label Supplier under file LP1057, qualified to manufacture UL-recognized labels under the UL969 standard, categories PGDQ2 and PGDQ8, as well as rating plates.

Yes. We are registered with the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and equipped to handle ITAR-controlled work. View our current registration: ITAR Registration Letter →

Every plate that leaves our floor meets the standard we promise. If a part doesn't meet spec, we replace it. That's been our policy since the company was founded and it hasn't changed in three generations.

Sustainability is part of how we manufacture, not a marketing afterthought. We've eliminated paper from our shop floor, reclaim and reuse our metal scrap, recycle our process water, and operate proprietary equipment that captures emissions before they leave our facility. The result is a manufacturing process that produces less waste than conventional shops — without compromising the quality we built our name on.

Augurware is our proprietary, fully paperless ERP system. Every order — from quote through production through shipment — moves through Augurware digitally, eliminating the paper trails, lost documents, and manual handoffs that slow traditional manufacturing.

Rejuvenate & Reclaim is our metal recovery program. Metal scrap from production is collected, processed, and either reused in-house or returned to suppliers for recycling. Very little of what enters our facility leaves as waste.

The iScrubber™ is proprietary emissions-control equipment that we developed and built ourselves. We currently have three of these machines and hold multiple patents on them. They remove the etch resist and excess paint from the sheets of metal after etching and painting. What was once a dirty job and a bottleneck in production has become the easiest part of manufacturing a nameplate.

Yes. Process water from our facility is captured, treated, and reused through a closed-loop system that significantly reduces freshwater draw and wastewater discharge.