Trusted Where Permanent Identification is Critical.
Metalphoto® is photosensitive, anodized aluminum used to make durable, high-resolution nameplates, labels, and control panels.
Metalphoto’s durability comes from its image – which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing corrosion, sunlight, abrasion, temperature and chemical resistance. Its unique, photographic imaging process creates ultra-high resolution graphics and variable information – including machine-readable barcodes, anti-counterfeit security features and serialized data.
Since its development in 1950, Metalphoto has been trusted by leading OEMs, military and government organizations for nameplate, label and control panel applications where permanence, resolution, variable data or a combination of those characteristics is required.
QNP is the largest Metalphoto® Certified Converter in the northeast and has the ability to provide you with all of your Metalphoto® needs. Contact us today for your custom quote.
QNP is the largest Metalphoto® Certified Converter in the northeast and has the ability to provide you with all of your Metalphoto® needs. Contact us today for your custom quote.
Want a custom Metalphoto® quote?
Why use Metalphoto®?
Durable Construction Means…
The Confidence of Legibility.
Metalphoto’s archival, silver-halide based image is sealed inside of anodized aluminum, making it readable after prolonged exposure to a variety of harsh operating conditions including weather/sunlight, heat, abrasion, chemicals and salt-spray.
The benefit is fewer label, nameplate, sign or control panel replacements due to illegibility – that means guaranteed regulatory compliance, asset identification and brand representation.
Variable Information Capability Means…
Automated asset tracking, guaranteed traceability, fewer data entry errors and faster processing.
Metalphoto’s ability to create hundreds, thousands, even millions of unique labels or nameplates is a function of its unique imaging process.
The benefit of this process is that Metalphoto labels and nameplates can contain “item-unique” serialized data, one of a kind instructions and/or barcodes of any symbology.
Durable barcodes connect assets to cloud-based computer systems, reduce data entry errors and speed the process of identifying assets properly.
Photographic Resolution Image means…
High-resolution graphic capability and optional security printing features.
The benefits of photographic resolution are three-fold:
- Your label, nameplate or panel will always look crisp and clear – conveying a sense of quality and reliability that will distinguish your brand.
- High-resolution images make it possible to mark small items or surfaces such as firearms or others where a large label is not feasible.
- Optional security printing features such as micro-text and watermarks that verify the authenticity of your product and protect it against fraud and counterfeiting.
Proven Performance Means…
Guaranteed Compliance.
Since its introduction in 1958, Metalphoto has proven itself again and again to major OEMs and government organizations. As a result, Metalphoto is specified by most major government, industrial and military organizations including Boeing, Airbus, Caterpillar, Great Dane, Honeywell, BF Goodrich, NASA, and the United States Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.
Want a custom Metalphoto® quote?
When to use Metalphoto®?
Because Metalphoto is resistant to many conditions commonly found in outdoor environments that would erode most identification products printed on other materials, Metalphoto is the perfect material for any nameplates, signs, labels or control panels that need to stand up to harsh outdoor environments, or any project where permanent identification that will remain legible for the life of the product is crucial.
See Metalphoto’s durability characteristics below:
Weather/UV Resistance
TESTING
A 400 hour Weatherometer Test GG-P-455P, which is the estimated equivalent to 20 years of outdoor exposure, had no affect on Metalphoto.
Abrasion Resistance
TESTING
7000 cycles on a Taber Abraser with a CS17 wheel, a total of 1000 gm. load, only resulted in a slight dulling of Metalphoto’s surface; the image was not affected.
Temperature Resistance
TESTING
Standard Metalphoto readable up to 500°F, Image Intensified Metalphoto readable up to 800°F. Both tested for a 24-hour oven exposure. Inquire for heat resistance up to 1,000°F.
Corrosion Resistance
TESTING
Exposure to 5% salt spray at 95°F for 700 hours had no effect on Metalphoto.
Chemical Resistance
TESTING
Metalphoto was immersed in a full battery of chemicals at different temperatures for different lengths of time, all with little to no effect.
View the Full List of Chemicals and Results
*Horizons ISG does not warrant the performance of its materials in any environment.
Want a custom Metalphoto® quote?
When your application calls for a material that will remain legible through the harshest of environments, Metalphoto is your go-to material. These industries all trust Metalphoto for their critical identification applications:
Metalphoto Provides Durable Identification for Defense Applications
Metalphoto’s durability comes from its image – which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to corrosion, sunlight degradation, abrasion, high temperatures and chemical exposure. Its unique, photographic imaging process supports ultra-high resolution images and variable information – including machine-readable barcodes, anti-counterfeit security features and serialized data.
Applications
Component Identification / Barcode Labels
Equipment Nameplates
Procedure /Maintenance Identification
Operator Control Panels
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- MIL-STD-130N
- MIL-DTL-15024G, Type G or H
- MIL-DTL-19834C (0.003″ foil)
- A-A-50271 Class-2 Composition C
- Federal Specification GG-P-455B
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Defense data sheet or the Metalphoto Defense case study.
Durable Identification for Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
For over 60 years, engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding operating environments. Specified by Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, NASA and the United States Department of Defense, Metalphoto is used for applications such as nameplates, barcode labels, maintenance schematics, operator control panels, safety protocols and many others
Applications
Component Identification / Barcode Labels
Maintenance Schematics
Procedure Identification
Operator Control Panels
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company, Boeing Process Specification BAC5875, Fabrication of Aluminum Markers, Instrument Panels, Drawer Front Panels and Fabrication of Metal and Plastic Appliques
- Lockheed Martin, LMA-PN010, Fabrication of UID Nameplates for Aircraft Items
- BF Goodrich Aerospace, Data Systems Division, Specification SMT0022
- NASA, Johnson Space Center Texas, Space Station Inventory Label Specification – SSP 50007
- Honeywell, Inc., Satellite Systems Operations, Metalphoto approved for use on Space Station, Memorandum A3-J024-M-9501786, Laboratory Case 161311
To learn more, please download the the Metalphoto Aerospace data sheet or the Metalphoto Aerospace case study.
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag.
A 20-Year Tag for a 20-Year Trailer.
The Intelligent Metalphoto® VIN Tag replaces traditional etched plates because of greater durability and optional machine-readable barcodes. Those features create the following benefits for trailer manufacturers and their customers:
BENEFITS TO THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER
- Drive aftermarket revenue – digitally link to sources for OEM aftermarket parts and service.
- Enhance your selling proposition – differentiate your trailer from competitors and offers your customers a series of cost-saving benefits (see below).
- Enhance your brand image – feature a crisp, high-resolution brand logo image that lasts the life of your trailer & demonstrates the quality of your brand.
BENEFITS TO THE FLEET OWNER
- Asset Tracking – end manual data entry with an asset-specific barcode, reducing labor and errors associated with trailer intake at transfer stations and maintenance facilities.
- Asset Maintenance – give the operator and mechanic a service history for each trailer, helping to locate OEM-approved replacement parts and reduce downtime through targeted preventative maintenance.
- Little to No Replacement Costs – its image, which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, provides resistance to road-salt corrosion, abrasion and other conditions that can obscure traditional etched steel plates.
- Proven Track Record – used by several leading trailer manufacturers already, the Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag is already being deployed by leaders in the industry.
Here’s How It Works:
DURABILITY:
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag’s durability comes from Metalphoto’s photographic image which is sealed inside of the anodized aluminum, providing resistance to:
- Sunlight degradation (20+ years)
- Road-salt corrosion (30 days in chamber)
- Abrasion (7,000 cycles on tabor abrader)
- High temperatures (1,000°F)
- Chemical exposure (diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid and several others)
RESOLUTION:
The Intelligent Metalphoto VIN Tag supports variable data and barcodes because it is a photographic technology. That means:
- Variable data can be embedded in the plate or punched/scribed your location(s)
- Barcodes reduce data entry errors and time – helping your customer track and maintain your product
- Optional two-dimensional QR code can link mechanics to a maintenance history and parts list of OEM-approved aftermarket parts
- Optional anti-counterfeit features such as watermark and micro-print verify authenticity of your product
In addition to VIN Tags, manufactures use Metalphoto for these permeant identification items:
- CSC Safety Approval Plates
- ISO 6346/BIC intermodal shipping container nameplates
- And other durable nameplates, maintenance schematics and labels
To learn more, please download this case study.
Durable Identification for Shipbuilding & Marine Applications
For over 60 years, engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding operating environments. Specified by Huntington Ingalls, NASSCO, Newport News, the Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek), the United States Navy and many others, Metalphoto is used in applications where labels and nameplates must survive UV exposure, salt spray, abrasion, heat, fuels, cleaning agents, acids, and lubricants while being produced in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Applications
Component Identification / Barcode Labels
Equipment Nameplates
Procedure / Maintenance Identification
Operator Control Panels
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates – Metalphoto. Report #23.1011.00.0391,
December 8, 1991. - United States Navy Evaluation of Label Plate Material and Attachment Methods Considered of Use on LPD-17. CARDIVNSWC-TR-62-00-05, June 2005.
- United States Navy NAVSEA Corona Division IUID Center Environmental Survivability Testing Report. August 2011.
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Marine data sheet or the Metalphoto Marine case study.
Durable Identification for Energy Applications
For over 30 years, oilfield engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding on-shore and off-shore operating environments as well as renewable energy systems. Specified by National Oilwell Varco, Seatrax and the United States Navy, Metalphoto material is used for applications such as barcode labels, maintenance schematics, machine control panels, safety protocols and many others.
Applications
Component Identification / Barcode Labels
Maintenance Schematics
Safety Procedure Identification
Operator Control Panels
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek) corrosion test of anodized aluminum plates – Metalphoto. Report #23.1011.00.0391, December 8, 1991.
- United States Navy Evaluation of Label Plate Material and Attachment Methods Considered of Use on LPD-17. CARDIVNSWC-TR-62-00-05, June 2005.
- United States Navy NAVSEA Corona Division IUID Center Environmental Survivability Testing Report. August 2011.
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Energy data sheet or the Metalphoto Energy case study.
Durable Identification for Heavy Equipment Applications
For over 60 years, engineers have trusted Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminium for extremely durable equipment and process identification items installed in demanding operating environments. Specified by several leading equipment and defense OEMs, Metalphoto is used for applications such as nameplates, barcode labels, maintenance schematics, operator control panels, safety protocols and many others.
Applications
Component Identification / Barcode Labels
Equipment Nameplates
Procedure / Maintenance Identification
Operator Control Panels
INDUSTRY SPECIFICATIONS METALPHOTO MEETS:
- Federal Specification GGP-455B(3)
- MIL-DTL-15024F
- MIL-STD-130N
To learn more, please download the Metalphoto Heavy Equipment data sheet.
Want a custom Metalphoto® quote?
Metalphoto® FAQs
What types of products does QNP make Utilizing Metalphoto?
QNP makes a wide variety of products using Metalphoto, including asset tags, component identification, equipment plates, plaques, and durable labels, to name a few.
What is the production time of a Metalphoto product?
Metalphoto products can be produced in is little as 1 day. Our standard production time is about 10-14 working days. If you need something fast, contact us and let’s see what we can do for you.
Is there a size limit to Metalphoto products?
Metalphoto material is available in specific sizes. We can make very small items easily, but there is a limit as to the largest size item we can produce. As long as what you are looking for is 40″ x 24″ or less, you should be fine.
What thicknesses is Metalphoto available in?
Metalphoto is available in 6 different thicknesses: .020, .032, .039, .063, .090, and .125. If you know what your application calls for, let us know and we can quote you accordingly.
Can Metalphoto only be produced in black?
The most common application for Metalphoto is black, but we do have the ability to produce your parts in other colors. There are a few different options to achieve this, so the best way to find out how we can help is to contact us.
What is your stock availability of Metalphoto material?
In general, we maintain as much stock as we can process in the replenishment time. For the most part, we always have enough stock for the orders that we recieve.
Want a custom Metalphoto® quote?
