MIL-STD-130

The United States Department of Defense has a guideline called the MIL-STD-130. This guideline lays down specifications for how product identification nameplates, product identification labels, and product identification tags must be designed.

If you are a contractor that will be applying or manufacturing identification plates, identification brands, identification tags, or identification labels to any item or equipment that is owned, or will be supplied to the US military or government then you must adhere to the MIL-STD-130 standard. Each item must be securely attached to, or directly applied to the surface of the product.

It should be noted, too, that MIL-STD-130 also demands that all identification plates, direct identification markings, identification bands, identification tags, or identification labels that are used must be as permanent as the normal life expectancy of the item to which they are affixed and that they must be able to withstand all environmental tests and cleaning procedures that are specified to the item to which they are affixed.

MIL-STD-130 also specifies which types of processes might be used to create labels and tags. Such methods that may be used are as follows: acid etching, engraving, embossing, decalcomania, photo anodizing, and several more. Fonts, font sizes, materials, protective finishes, data qualifiers, and more are also specified under this extensive standard.

But why should you need to know all of these specs? And why should you have to check to make sure that your decal/label supplier is producing the product to the MIL-STD-130 specifications? At Dixie Signs & Decals, Inc we have devoted much time to learning and knowing these specifications and we will guarentee to meet these specs. Call us today so we can work with you on your next military project.

The MIL-STD-130 standard is incredibly precise and exacting and can be very difficult to learn for you to be able to do your own labeling. In addition to this, you really shouldn't have to babysit your decal & label supplier by checking prototypes against the standard – something that could be incredibly time consuming and a headache inducing activity. Dixie Signs & Decals Inc. is in the business of making sure our customers are well-taken care of in all their needs and we know the MIL-STD-130 standard inside and out and we guarantee that we will meet all of these specs. Give us a call so we can assist you on all of military projects.

Photosensitive Anodized Aluminum

Identification plates that are made with photosensitive anodized aluminum (Metalphoto) are different from the ones produced on every other substrate in two distinctive ways – Metalphoto plates are defined by GPI as the most durable of aluminum ID plates and they are capable of clearly holding the highest graphic resolution of all metallic substrates.

Metalphoto also meets the MIL-STD-130 standard for government and military markings as well as several other exacting specifications and standards. (See bottom the table marked "Metalphoto meets or exceeds Government & Industry specifications"). If you want an ultra-resilient, high quality plate then a Metalphoto ID plate is for you.

In addition to this, Metalphoto also is extremely useful for durable barcodes and serialized UID plates. Extreme weather and environmental conditions make other ID markings falter and fade where a Metalphoto plate stands up to them and does so while looking great for years at a time.

You will be presented with a wide variety of options that will let you customize your Metalphoto plate to your exact specifications. These options include metal thickness, finish, mounting method, custom shapes and sizes, and imprint color options. See the following chart for available options:

A Metalphoto plate has a resilient structure that is unique to any other aluminum identification plate available today.

Layer 1 is a sapphire hard anodized layer that gives the plate a superior abrasion resistance, resistance to acid, and other chemical corrosion, etc.

Layer 2 is where the sealed image sits and it is made up of metallic particles beneath a Layer 1 which allows it to stand up to exposure to UV rays and extreme temperatures.

Layer 3 is where the aluminum comes in. It is available in a wide variety of thicknesses and finishes to meet your design and function needs.

Etched Plates

If you need to label equipment or machinery and you want to enjoy extreme durability and long life then an etched nameplate could be a perfect solution for you. Our etched plates are etched in an acid bath solution which will burn your design into the plate. This process makes the nameplate resistant to abrasion, most chemicals, fading, and weathering.