Materials for Industrial Labels:
Durable and Application-Oriented
For Signs, Front Panels, and Labels
- Materials for Various Operating Conditions
- Wide Material Selection
- Individual Consultation
The Right Material for Your Labeling
Choosing the right base material is crucial for the durability, legibility, and functionality of your labeling. At Becher Industrieschilder, you’ll find a wide selection of materials – from stainless steel and aluminum to plastics and composites – tailored to your application and operating environment.
Whether for industrial stress, premium appearance, or cost-effective solutions for prototypes and series production, we advise you on material selection and identify a solution that is both technically sound and economically suitable.
Aluminum
Aluminum (Al) is the third most abundant chemical element and the most common metal in the Earth's crust. It plays a major role in the production of industrial signs. Aluminum is used for signs, front panels, and as thin aluminum foil for labels. It is exceptionally lightweight and suitable for many manufacturing processes. Notably, anodized aluminum signs combine high chemical and mechanical resistance with an elegant appearance.
| Application | Nameplates, rating plates, brand mark signs, emblems, scales, measuring scales, dials, blanks, stamped parts, functional parts, barcode signs, dog license tags, front panels, front plates, front overlays, keypad overlays, technical labels, promotional labels, markable labels |
| Manufacturing Process | anodized, etched, printed, painted, engraved, embossed, laser marked |
| Materials |
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| Material Thickness | 0.04 mm to 4.0 mm |
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Properties and Advantages
- decorative
- corrosion-resistant due to natural oxide layer
- very high durability when using the anodizing process
- lightweight
- can therefore be bonded even at greater material thicknesses
- high strength relative to weight with suitable alloy
- more cost-effective than stainless steel or brass
- conducts heat and electricity (anodized layers, however, are electrically non-conductive)
- magnetically neutral
- easy to clean
- non-toxic
- fully recyclable
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Stainless Steel
Stainless steel in various alloys is used for signs, front panels, and front bezels. It is usually etched or engraved.
Etched stainless steel industrial signs provide maximum durability and resistance. By selecting the appropriate material, they can be adapted to withstand extreme environmental conditions.
| Application | Nameplates, rating plates, brand mark signs, emblems, scales, measuring scales, dials, blanks, stamped parts, functional parts, barcode signs, front panels, front plates |
| Manufacturing Process | etched, engraved, printed, painted, embossed, laser marked |
| Materials |
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| Material Thickness | 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm |
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Properties and Advantages
- high-quality appearance
- temperature-resistant
- corrosion-resistant
- weather-resistant
- very high chemical resistance, including against acidic and alkaline media
- hygienic
- easy to clean
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Brass
Brass industrial signs are etched or engraved and are used as signs, front panels, and front bezels.
Brass industrial signs are used in shipbuilding, mining, and wherever sparks must be avoided.
| Application | Nameplates, rating plates, brand mark signs, emblems, scales, measuring scales, dials, blanks, stamped parts, functional parts, barcode signs, front panels, front plates |
| Manufacturing Process | etched, engraved |
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| Material Thickness | 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm |
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Properties and Advantages
- decorative appearance
- high weight, premium material feel
- high resistance to seawater
- non-sparking, suitable for explosive environments
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Plastics
Plastics are used as sheet material for signs, front panels, and front bezels; as foil material for front films, keyboard films, and labels. Additionally, plastics are used as protective films, laminates, or casting resin.
Plastic industrial signs are generally less durable than metal signs in most applications. However, they offer extensive possibilities for variations in material properties, colors, and shapes.
| Application | Nameplates, rating plates, brand mark signs, emblems, scales, measuring scales, dials, blanks, stamped parts, functional parts, barcode signs, front panels, front plates, front overlays, keypad overlays, technical labels, promotional labels, security labels, markable labels, barcode labels, cut lettering, 3D labels |
| Manufacturing Process | printed, reverse-printed, painted, engraved, embossed, plotted, laser marked |
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| Material Thickness | depending on material, 0.025 mm to 4.0 mm |
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Properties and Advantages
- almost unlimited color options
- properties can be influenced by material selection
- lightweight
- non-conductive
- usually more cost-effective than metal
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Composite Materials
Composite materials consist of at least two different materials fully bonded together and are used for signs and panels.
A typical application is the composite front panel: it usually consists of a back-printed plastic film (e.g., polycarbonate) and a carrier plate (e.g., aluminum) that are bonded precisely together. In addition, a wide variety of other combinations is possible.
Composite materials also include layered materials such as Resopal® used for engraving.
| Application | Nameplates, rating plates, brand mark signs, emblems, scales, measuring scales, dials, blanks, stamped parts, functional parts, barcode signs, front panels, front plates |
| Manufacturing Process | printed, back-printed, anodized, painted, engraved, embossed, laser marked |
| Materials |
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| Material Thickness | depending on materials used, total thickness from 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm |
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Properties and Advantages
- Properties can be influenced by the choice of materials
- The advantages of different materials can be combined through composite materials
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Are you looking for a custom labeling solution?
Contact us for a non-binding consultation.
Our team will review your requirements and provide you with a suitable offer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becher Materials (FAQ)
For outdoor applications, stainless steel or aluminum with suitable surface finishing is often used, e.g., anodized aluminum. The best solution depends on weather conditions, UV exposure, mechanical stress, and the chosen marking process.
Aluminum is lightweight, versatile, and easy to process. Stainless steel is mechanically very robust and, depending on the material and application environment, suitable for demanding uses. The choice of material depends on load, environmental influences, appearance, and the desired marking process.
Aluminum or stainless steel is often used for machine and plant signs. The suitable version depends on the operating environment, readability requirements, and marking process.
Yes, depending on the material, plastic signs can also be effectively used in industrial applications. Materials such as PVC, polycarbonate, or certain composite films offer good impact resistance and durability against various environmental influences, depending on their specific composition.
Composite materials combine different material properties within a single structure, such as strength, low weight, or specific surface characteristics. They are used when a single material cannot fully meet the requirements for function, appearance, or installation.
Yes. At Becher, we offer specialized materials for applications involving elevated temperatures, such as stainless steel or specific aluminum variants. The ideal solution depends on the exact temperature range, the duration of exposure, and the required marking method to ensure long-term legibility. Our experts are happy to advise you on the best combination of material and processing for your high-heat environment.
Yes. At Becher, we offer a wide range of customization options to meet your exact requirements. Depending on the material, we can adapt the dimensions, thicknesses, and surface finishes to your specific application. Our experts are happy to advise you on the best combination of marking methods and material properties for your project.
The ideal choice depends on your operating environment, mechanical stress, desired appearance, and required service life. At Becher, we analyze these factors together with you to determine the perfect combination of materials and manufacturing processes. Our experts are happy to advise you on whether metals, high-performance films, or specialized composites are best suited for your specific mounting method and application.