Llamacoid INCCustom engraved equipment nameplates
Equipment nameplates, control panel door plates, room signs and machine plates, laser engraved from two-color laminate and drawn at true size before you order.
What is an engraved nameplate?
Engraved nameplates, also written engraved name plates, are rigid two-color laminate plates, laser engraved with an equipment name, data or instructions. The text is cut into the plate, so it stays readable for the life of the equipment. We make them for HVAC and electrical equipment, control panel doors, rooms and machines, in any size up to the sheet.
The plate has a thin cap layer over a core of a second color. The laser removes the cap where the letters go, so the letters show in the core color. It is the same laser-engraved acrylic lamacoid as our tags, just larger. If your PO asks for custom acrylic nameplates, this is the plate. Here is what a lamacoid is.
Equipment nameplate tags
An equipment nameplate carries the tag number from the drawings, what it serves and where it is fed from, such as AHU-2 / SERVES 2ND FLOOR EAST / FED FROM 2H1-22. Use 2 x 6 or 3 x 8 inches so it can be read from the floor, 1/8 inch thick with screws or rivets. For smaller ID tags, see equipment tags.
Control panel nameplates
A control panel door usually gets a main nameplate with the panel name and number from the drawings, plus the voltage and any data your shop's drawings call for. For the UL 508A / NFPA 79 nameplate field list, SCCR line and device-ID kit, see control panel labels. The UL listing mark itself comes from UL, not from us, so we engrave the rest of the plate around it. For push buttons and devices on the same door, see legend plates and device tags.
Door, room and machine nameplates
Room signs, door plates and machine plates are cut from 1/8 inch laminate with screw holes, in sizes up to about 12 x 24 inches. Keep the text short and large so it reads from across a room. Rounded corners are a good idea where people brush past the plate.
Nameplate sizes, thickness and colors
| Size | Typical use | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 3 in | Small equipment, devices, room numbers | 1/16 or 1/8 in |
| 2 x 6 in | Equipment read from the floor, control panel doors | 1/8 in |
| 3 x 8 in | Large equipment, switchboards, several lines of data | 1/8 in |
| Up to about 12 x 24 in | Doors, rooms and machines | 1/8 in with screw holes |
Use 1/8 inch for most plastic name plates on equipment, and 1/16 inch only for small adhesive plates on flat, clean surfaces.
| Color pair | Common use |
|---|---|
| White on black | General equipment, normal power |
| Black on white | Device tags, general labels |
| White on red | Emergency systems, fire alarm, fire protection |
| Black on yellow | Caution, standby power |
| White on green | Water |
| White on blue | Compressed air |
These are common practice. Your project spec has the final say.
Matching the spec
Most commercial specs describe nameplates in their identification sections, such as 23 05 53 or 26 05 53. A typical line asks for engraved laminated plastic, 1/8 inch thick, white letters on black, with a minimum letter height and stainless steel screws. Send the spec section and we will match it. The same goes for a PO that says engraved plastic name plates or acrylic name plates.
Lay out every line at true size, with the text height shown.
How to order
- Open the lamacoid label maker. Type each tag, or load a spreadsheet of your list.
- Pick the size, color, thickness and mounting. The tag is drawn at true size.
- Send the quote. We email a PDF proof and a quote in US dollars.
- Approve the proof online. We engrave and ship, and invoice you after.
Common questions
What is the difference between an engraved nameplate and a lamacoid?
None in the material. An engraved nameplate made from two-color laminate is a lamacoid. Nameplate usually means a larger plate with equipment data, and tag means a smaller ID.
What thickness should a nameplate be?
1/8 inch for most nameplates, especially anything screwed or riveted. Use 1/16 inch for small adhesive plates on flat, clean surfaces.
Can you engrave several lines of data on a nameplate?
Yes. Lay out each line in the builder and it shows the plate at true size with the text height on every line. Long data plates often need 2 x 6 inches or larger.
Related
Reviewed on 2026-11-02. Your project spec and your inspector (the AHJ) have the final say on markings.