A well-known domestic manufacturer of on-board supplies, focusing on the production of high-end accessories for off-road vehicles, with an annual production capacity of more than one million pieces.
The customization focused on the metal identification label of the flagship product, the off-road roof ladder, which required brand recognition and durability in extreme environments.
Initially, the client had no clear concept regarding the design and simply wished to uniquely showcase their company logo (ZC). We provided ten reference design styles from our comprehensive sample database.
Based on the client's preferences, it was determined that the ZC letters should feature gold-colored raised elements, with a combination of deep black and grayish black as the base color.
The client opted for aluminum material due to its superior three-dimensional effect when stamping fonts.
Additionally, the bottom background design incorporated multiple diamond patterns with a 3D visual effect.
A design mock-up was presented, which the client found visually acceptable. However, considering cost constraints, the complex manufacturing process involving multiple printing and stamping steps for the rhombus patterns led to increased production costs.
As a result, the client requested a more cost-effective alternative. Subsequently, the design was revised to feature gold-colored raised ZC letters with a surrounding golden border, while the background was changed to solid black.
A new flat design was created accordingly, which met the client’s expectations.
Given that the nameplate would be exposed to outdoor conditions for extended periods, concerns were raised regarding its resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures.
Initially, the client preferred aluminum; however, this material is generally more suitable for indoor applications.
Prolonged exposure to rain—especially acidic rain—could compromise its durability due to limited corrosion resistance. After an on-site factory visit and further discussion, the client confirmed that environmental durability was their primary concern.
Following a thorough analysis, stainless steel was selected as the optimal material, and corresponding design adjustments were made.
A completely flat label design was adopted. The ZC letters were darkened, and a black border was added around them. The background surface underwent electroplating to achieve a matte black finish, creating a strong contrast with the letters.
To enhance corrosion resistance under outdoor conditions, the stainless steel material was treated using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) combined with AF (Anti-Fingerprint) coating.
For the adhesive, 3M brand double-sided tape was considered.
Upon confirmation of the label design, the client promptly paid the mold fee. To address the client's concern about adhesive performance—specifically the risk of detachment—two types of 3M adhesive (3M9448A and 3M300L) were included during the sample stage, allowing the client to evaluate which option better suited their needs.
The production process began with mirror-finished stainless steel plates. The pattern and lettering were differentiated from the background through PVD+AF surface treatment.
Subsequently, 3M adhesive was applied, followed by the attachment of a protective film. Positioning holes were then drilled and punched.
Individual labels were stamped out using a punching machine. Finally, samples were packaged and sent to the client for confirmation.
Upon completion of the product surface treatment, we shared videos and images with the client to illustrate the visual effect, which they found highly satisfactory. They expressed eagerness to receive physical samples for further evaluation.
Ultimately, the client was fully satisfied with the final product. Regarding the back adhesive options provided—3M9448A and 3M300L—the client selected the 3M300L model.
After confirming the samples, the client proceeded directly with a trial order of 50,000 units for mass production.
