The secrets of custom-made enamel plates... 

From the moment you place your order on our website to the moment your plaque arrives in your mailbox, there are a multitude of steps involved in the production of your personalized enamel plaque. Follow us into the heart of this craftsmanship. 

Step 1: Digital design of your illustration personalized

Once your order has been validated, we design a digital mock-up of your nameplate with the text you want. This mock-up, technically called BAT - Bon À Tirer, gives you a preview of the final rendering of your personalized plaque. It will then serve as the basis for printing the future layers used for the screen printing your texts.

You have 48 hours to confirm the artwork and your plate can go into production. production !

Step 2: Preparing for glazing

Once your order has been validated, the workshop receives it and prepares the steel sheet. This raw sheet is then cut and drilled according to the specifications indicated on the order.

The sheet metal is mass-dyed to ensure better color adhesion later on. Enameling is a technique performed manually to adapt to the different shapes and reliefs of the product.

At the same time, the laboratory works out the formulas for the various colors to be applied to the plate. We use the RAL K5 Classic color chart as a reference, and sometimes some Pantone colors. The resulting shades are a blend of natural minerals composed of silica and iron oxides. Similar to glass, they vitrify under the action of heat to produce intense, deep colors.

Given the mineral raw materials used in the composition of enamels and the manual work involved, there may be some variations between the shade of a sample and the color of the final plate. Indeed, enamels are sensitive to the environment and ambient atmosphere (humidity, heat, temperatures...) and react differently every day. This is also what makes enamelled slabs handcrafted object unique.

 

 

 

Step 3: Glaze application and art of screen printing

The steel sheet is mass-dyed and then baked at 850°C. This application gives it resistance to weathering and corrosion.

The background color is then sprayed onto the plate using a spray gun. This time, the color is applied to the front only. The edges and reverse will remain glazed in black. On the other hand, if you want a harmonious look and a perfect finish, it is possible to enamel the slices and the back of the plate on demand. A further firing at 800°C fixes the background color.

Texts and drawings are then produced using the printing at screen printing technique. From the proof, the graphic designer separates the image into different layers, each representing a different color. These layers are then used as templates for micro-punching the stencils. There are as many stencils as there are colors to be screen-printed. The glazes are applied with a spatula, one after the other, through the corresponding stencils. Each color is fired separately, for the finest finish.

                                                

 

Final step: Checking and shipping your personalized enamel plaque

Once your plaque is finished, it is carefully checked and packaged, along with any accessories (protective eyelets, fixing kit), before being shipped to you with the utmost care.

Because we love our work and work on each plaque with passion, we like to know the rest of their story. Feel free to share a few photos of your installed plaques with us on social networks, or send them to us by e-mail!

 

All our plates are handcrafted to order in our own workshop. workshop near Nantes.

Find out more about our expertise.

Discover all our enamelled products.