Did you know that if you were looking for metal plates or tags for your branding needs that the marking method you choose actually plays a part in the tag’s durability? For your metal tag to be really durable, one of the marking mediums you can choose for it is embossing. Embossed metal plates are actually very durable and this is due to a number of reasons.
For starters, the material that is used to create these tags are made out of metal, and more-often-than-not, these are tarnish and rust proof metals like aluminum, bronze, brass, and stainless steel. For a truly durable tag, stainless steel with a .030 inch to .050 inch thickness is your best choice for your embossed metal tags. It is also advisable that you choose stainless steel that is either 304 or 316. You can also choose to use any stainless steel in the 300 class, which are the most commonly used ones.
The embossing method is also one of the reasons why this type of metal tag is very durable. These tags are marked using stamps, and while easily confused with the standard stamping method utilized in making some tags, embossing using more than just stamping. It uses what is called a hot stamping method, which means the metal tags that are being made have to be manufactured using steel plates that are heated before the stamping is done.
Also worth noting is that when these tags are stamped with the design made for them, the stamps used are male and female. When you say male and female dies, this means that the stamps fit into one another and this creates very distinct impressions on the metal. So embossed metal plates are basically made using heated metal sheets that are stamped with two dies (a top and bottom one that fit into each other) and then cooled before being cut into the right size and shape that is required of these.
Once the sheets are cooled and the tags are cut into individual pieces, you now have very durable tags made out of stainless steel with added durability from the cooled down metal embossing on it. You can make the designs on these tags more eye-catching by either inking in the surrounding area, or by inking in the embossed design. You can also choose to ink or paint the entire tag, depending on what your company wants.
Alternatively, the opposite marking method of embossing, which is debossing, also creates similarly durable tags, and these are made the same way. The only difference is that the designs are recessed instead of raised.