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You are here: Home1 / Blog2 / 2019

NAP’S Reverse Engraving Solution ~ Advanced Printing Techniques

Plastic Tags, Product News

Reverse Engraving Solution ~ Advanced Printing Techniques

Reverse engraving refers to the process of engraving the “underside” of a substrate – allowing the top or finished side of the substrate to remain smooth.

In most cases, acrylic paint is used to fill in the engraved portion of the substrate. This is called back painting or color filling of the characters. Back painting can be a timely messy process.

NapTags offers reverse (or subsurface) printing to clear plastic, our reverse engraved back painting solution.

We produce high quality reversed printed tags that add value to your brand. All our tags are made in the USA!

Nap’s uses the highest quality UV inks to print your logo, image or text on the second surface of our clear plastic. Our UV printing process combined with unlimited color choices, including four color process, standard and PMS colors, create more detailed logos and designs.

 

There are two basic ways to reverse (subsurface) print:

  1. Flood White Set Up: The design does not have any clear or see through areas in the design, so the whole surface is flooded with white over the initial colors. Used for full color backgrounds.
  2. Spot White Set Up: The design has transparent areas within the design. The white will only be spot printed behind the image in the areas of color.

The printing of the White in both instances makes your colored areas stand out more, without the white print you would end up with washed out graphics and text.

When you look at surface of your finished product, it looks as if the printing is inside the material.

Advantages to Reverse Printing:

  • Durable Product
  • Excellent, Crisp Lettering and Graphics
  • UV cured quality inks which are environmentally friendly
  • Tamper Resistant
  • Scratch Proof
  • Easy to wash
  • Harsh Environment Protection
  • Fully protects graphics from abrasions
  • Protects from various oils, greases, and solvents
  • No need to paint fill, reduces production time for faster delivery
  • Color Matching
  • Ability to print full color, more color options
  • No Drying Time for Production

Reverse Printed Tags are great for durable applications and for customers requiring longevity in their tags. These tags may be exposed to moisture, chemicals, and abrasion. Nap’s reverse printing protects against all of the above once the durable tag is installed. The printing is between the durable plastic and the equipment’s surface thus protecting the graphic, while eliminating the need for any laminate.

Reverse (subsurface) Printing is great for:

  • Interior Signs
  • Nameplates
  • Control Panel Tags
  • Control System Tags
  • Safety Tags
  • Equipment Tags
  • Safety Tags
  • Warning Labels
  • Valve Tags
  • Serial Number Tags
  • Industrial Equipment Tags
  • Long Term Tags and Labels
  • Machinery Tags
  • and tons more!
Order Reverse Printed Tags

We have a handful of stock sizes available online, which are rectangle is shape. Each size Reverse Printed Tag has options for your custom text, or logo, as well as hole size choices.

More sizes and shapes will follow, plus we are able to do custom shapes and sizes to fit your exact needs.

Check out our video on some other Reverse Printed Tags we produced!

Contact us at info@napsupply.com with any questions.

Nap’s Tags and Signs are always made in the USA !

Call Nap’s at 1-800-451-3330. We can create custom Reverse Printed Tags that include your logo, company colors, custom shapes and much more.

 

 

https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/Plastic-Reverse-Printed-02.jpg 1536 2048 Nap Tags https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/NapTags-Logo-Web-header.png Nap Tags2019-12-30 13:03:312025-10-01 13:50:59NAP’S Reverse Engraving Solution ~ Advanced Printing Techniques

Metal Tags: The Difference Between Aluma-Tough & Stainless Steel

Metal Tags, Updates

Metal Tags: The Difference Between Aluma-Tough & Stainless Steel

Both metal tags are extremely durable, and can withstand harsh environments, but understanding the differences between them can help you make the right choice for your application.

What is the difference between Industrial-Grade Aluma-Tough Sealed Anodized Aluminum & Stainless Steel Tags?

Stainless Steel Metal Tags

316 stainless steel contains molybdenum in it to help resist corrosion like sea salt water. So if you are specified to use stainless steel for your tag application and it needs to resist harsh chemicals, we suggest using the 316 stainless steel.

The stainless steel metal tags that NapTags offers come in .022”, .030”, and .050” thicknesses. These all can be laser cut and laser engraved to any custom shape and size. We are also able to laser engrave on 1/8” thick stainless steel.

If you have specifications requiring you to use stainless steel, then this is a good route to go for ordering valve tags, asset tags, equipment tags, or any ID tag that is exposed to harsh environments. Nap Tags stainless steel tags are engraved with a laser that will not fade or deteriorate over time.

Shop Stainless Steel Tags

 

Aluma-Tough Sealed, Anodized Aluminum Tags

A lot of people think that stainless steel is the most durable material to use for metal tags, but Aluma-tough is actually more durable then stainless steel in many cases.

For over 50 years, industrial and military engineers have specified Metalphoto (AlumaTough) photosensitive anodized aluminum for durable nameplates, barcode labels, service schematics and control panels installed in harsh operating environments. Their proprietary technology permanently seals a UV-stable image inside of anodized aluminum, offering the confidence of unparalleled durability, image resolution and readability.

Aluma-tough is sealed with an anodizing solution, which creates a UV-stable image. It is impenetrable, deflecting chemicals, heat, abrasion, salt spray, and sunlight. It is certified for 20+ years in an outdoor application. This product has earned more top scores than any other barcode label material tested by the U.S. Navy. These metal tags meet a wide array of commercial, government, and military specs.

.020” – .063” Aluma-tough can be cnc-cut with beautiful clean edges. Thinner material is available as well. Thinner material is .012” thick (cannot be cnc cut) will have adhesive backing and is great for wrapping around curved surfaces. A lot of people use the thinner material for barcode labels because of the clarity of printing, capability to wrap around poles, and durability of the material.

Aluma-Tough material typically cost 10-20% less than stainless steel and is just as, if not more durable then the stainless steel. If you do not have specifications that strictly use stainless steel, then this is your best material to use.

Order Aluma-Tough Tags Learn More

Have questions on what industrial metal tag is best for your specific requirements?

NapTags has expert sales representatives that will guide you to find the best metal tag for your application. Feel free to email us at info@napsupply.com or call 1-800-451-3330.

https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/Aluma-Tough-4-1-scaled.jpg 1978 2560 Nap Tags https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/NapTags-Logo-Web-header.png Nap Tags2019-08-23 10:32:082025-10-01 14:04:34Metal Tags: The Difference Between Aluma-Tough & Stainless Steel

An Inside-Look at Aluma-Tough Tags

Legend & ID Plates, Metal Tags, Product News

One of the best things we do here at Nap’s are metal tags that stand the test of time, even in harsh conditions.

A key component is using high quality materials such as our line of Aluma-Tough products, which will stand up to the harshest environments, including outdoors, saltwater, sterilization and more.

What are Aluma-Tough Tags?

Essentially, aluma-tough tags are anodized aluminum tags with a glass-clear, sapphire-hard, anodic layer that seals the high resolution image creating a material that resists abrasion, solvents, temperature, UV light, sea salt and chemicals.

Read more on the manufacturing process

The Aluma-Tough process incorporates photosensitive anodized aluminum tags that combine extreme durability in harsh environments with a high-quality, long-lasting clear image. Aluma-Tough tags have the highest graphic resolution of any metallic substrate, which makes them a great option for tags, nameplates, panels, etc.

Learn more about applications for AlumaTough Tags

Aluma-Tough tags, ID labels and nameplates function perfectly for 20+ years, maintaining their original appearance under an array of challenging conditions including extreme heat, humidity, long term exposure to weather, UV and other outdoor conditions, salt spray, abrasion, industrial solvents and chemicals and more.

Click here for more information, or to order our Aluma-Tough tags!

https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/Custom-Aluma-Tough-Tags-min.jpg 565 1000 Nap Tags https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/NapTags-Logo-Web-header.png Nap Tags2019-05-07 15:46:542025-10-01 14:10:47An Inside-Look at Aluma-Tough Tags

Nap’s provides historic Inn with custom-brass key fobs

Metal Tags, Product News

Nap’s had the privilege of working with one of the premier luxury hideaways in the country, The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn to design a one-of-a-kind key fob that represents the beauty and elegance of the historic hotel.

This key fab is made of .040” thick brass, and is cut using pin-point laser engraving, which creates a clean, detailed, darkened image to meet the specifications of The Willows. The fab itself is designed to match the logo of the hotel, and has room numbers engraved on each of the brass fobs.

Learn more about our engraved metal products we have available for customization here!

 

https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/Willow-Tree-Fab.jpg 1275 1350 Nap Tags https://naptags.com/wp-content/uploads/NapTags-Logo-Web-header.png Nap Tags2019-01-15 16:36:312025-10-01 14:20:11Nap’s provides historic Inn with custom-brass key fobs

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