FAQs
How do I care for my products?
Use a mild detergent and low pressure when washing any vehicles with plate or frame products on it. Frames and plates should not be power washed, scrubbed with a brush or cleaned with harsh chemicals. The best storage is in a cool, dry area away from extreme heat or cold.
Use a mild detergent and low pressure when washing any vehicles with plate or frame products on it. Frames and plates should not be power washed, scrubbed with a brush or cleaned with harsh chemicals. The best storage is in a cool, dry area away from extreme heat or cold.
How many art proofs can I get before ordering?
We will provide up to two (2) free PDF art proofs per order. Any additional artwork proofs will be charged a $14.00 artwork fee per additional proof.
We will provide up to two (2) free PDF art proofs per order. Any additional artwork proofs will be charged a $14.00 artwork fee per additional proof.
What does production time mean?
Production will start one (1) business day after your approved final artwork, signed order documents and pre-payment being received by our office. When your order moves into production you will receive an e-mail with a production status confirmation. Please note that production times can vary by 5 - 10 business working days from the estimate in your confirmation e-mail during peak season, holidays or emergency conditions. After production has been completed expect and additional 3-5 business days for shipping within the United States.
Production will start one (1) business day after your approved final artwork, signed order documents and pre-payment being received by our office. When your order moves into production you will receive an e-mail with a production status confirmation. Please note that production times can vary by 5 - 10 business working days from the estimate in your confirmation e-mail during peak season, holidays or emergency conditions. After production has been completed expect and additional 3-5 business days for shipping within the United States.
What are my rush options?
We can offer a rush on our products. Rush options will increase the unit price and some rush options are a standard rush fee. We are unable to guarantee any rushes without pre-approval from the production manager.
We can offer a rush on our products. Rush options will increase the unit price and some rush options are a standard rush fee. We are unable to guarantee any rushes without pre-approval from the production manager.
Are the prices listed your wholesale prices?
The prices listed are wholesale prices. We are a wholesale manufacturer and the prices are listed on the website. Please contact us for printed materials quotes not listed in the website.
The prices listed are wholesale prices. We are a wholesale manufacturer and the prices are listed on the website. Please contact us for printed materials quotes not listed in the website.
What is the difference between the plate thicknesses?
We offer a variety of thicknesses on our plates. The plate is a thin plastic. .015 mil is roughly as thick as a laminated flyer. .020 mil is slightly thicker and comparable to laminated card. .030 mil is comparable in thickness to a credit card. .055 mil plate is roughly the thickness of two credit cards on top of each other.
We offer a variety of thicknesses on our plates. The plate is a thin plastic. .015 mil is roughly as thick as a laminated flyer. .020 mil is slightly thicker and comparable to laminated card. .030 mil is comparable in thickness to a credit card. .055 mil plate is roughly the thickness of two credit cards on top of each other.
What is the difference between full color and silkscreen spot color printing processes?
Full color printing is an offset process utilizing the color combinations of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to produce many colors with high-detail artwork. CMYK offset printing is excellent for detailed artwork or artwork with color gradients. CMYK equivalent will differ slightly from a Pantone color. We will match your PMS color as close as possible. Silkscreen method printing allows for spot color process. A mesh screen is made and the ink is pushed through or painted over and applied to the plate or frame product.
Full color printing is an offset process utilizing the color combinations of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to produce many colors with high-detail artwork. CMYK offset printing is excellent for detailed artwork or artwork with color gradients. CMYK equivalent will differ slightly from a Pantone color. We will match your PMS color as close as possible. Silkscreen method printing allows for spot color process. A mesh screen is made and the ink is pushed through or painted over and applied to the plate or frame product.
What are the two chrome faced frame options?
The chrome faced license frame comes with a recessed background and raised text. This is a black frame with an added chrome face, recessed black panel, and raised chrome text. The text or imprint is recessed from the chrome face. No imprint color options are available on this frame. There are upgrade options (satin finish and a brushed chrome finish) available on both the shiny chrome faced and the chrome faced recessed frame.
The chrome faced license frame comes with a recessed background and raised text. This is a black frame with an added chrome face, recessed black panel, and raised chrome text. The text or imprint is recessed from the chrome face. No imprint color options are available on this frame. There are upgrade options (satin finish and a brushed chrome finish) available on both the shiny chrome faced and the chrome faced recessed frame.
How detailed can my logo be?
For detailed logos, multiple colors or molding small detailed areas there can be minor imperfections or registration that does not line up exactly. For this reason, all items are subject up to a .75 mm tolerance.
For detailed logos, multiple colors or molding small detailed areas there can be minor imperfections or registration that does not line up exactly. For this reason, all items are subject up to a .75 mm tolerance.
What is the difference between the chrome dipped frame and a chrome faced frame?
The chrome plated frame typically starts off as a black plastic that is injection molded to create your frame. The frame is then fully submerged in an OEM chrome solution and dried to create the plasti-chrome license plate frame. There will not be any of the original black frame showing. Once the frame has been dipped in the chrome, we are then able to hot stamp the requested imprint color on top of it.The chrome faced frames will start off as your requested color frame. The black frame is standard and there are premium frame color options available as an upgrade. A chrome foiling is then added to the face of the frame. The sides and back of the frame will remain your chosen frame color and the face of the frame will have the shiny chrome imprint. Chrome faced frames are more susceptible to weather conditions. Chrome frames cannot be guaranteed in states that use road salt or other chemicals for snow. Extended exposure to heat and cold will also impact the chrome.
The chrome plated frame typically starts off as a black plastic that is injection molded to create your frame. The frame is then fully submerged in an OEM chrome solution and dried to create the plasti-chrome license plate frame. There will not be any of the original black frame showing. Once the frame has been dipped in the chrome, we are then able to hot stamp the requested imprint color on top of it.The chrome faced frames will start off as your requested color frame. The black frame is standard and there are premium frame color options available as an upgrade. A chrome foiling is then added to the face of the frame. The sides and back of the frame will remain your chosen frame color and the face of the frame will have the shiny chrome imprint. Chrome faced frames are more susceptible to weather conditions. Chrome frames cannot be guaranteed in states that use road salt or other chemicals for snow. Extended exposure to heat and cold will also impact the chrome.
How long will my imprint colors last?
Ink formulations are heavily affected by regulatory changes that protect the environment. This does limit the availability of materials that can be used and formulations ink suppliers manufacture. Colors such as red, blue and any florescent inks are going to be more susceptible than most to exposure. Fluorescent inks can fade rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight. For this reason, we are recommended indoor or short-term outdoor usage only.
Ink formulations are heavily affected by regulatory changes that protect the environment. This does limit the availability of materials that can be used and formulations ink suppliers manufacture. Colors such as red, blue and any florescent inks are going to be more susceptible than most to exposure. Fluorescent inks can fade rapidly when exposed to direct sunlight. For this reason, we are recommended indoor or short-term outdoor usage only.
Why is my frame not a solid color?
Molded plastic products showing the base plastic color will have variation in the plastic finish. Lines showing variation in the plastic color especially around imprint areas will occur. We use recycled plastic in all of our products and do not offer PMS specific colored plastic. Once a frame is attached to the vehicle, these minor color variations will not be noticeable.
Molded plastic products showing the base plastic color will have variation in the plastic finish. Lines showing variation in the plastic color especially around imprint areas will occur. We use recycled plastic in all of our products and do not offer PMS specific colored plastic. Once a frame is attached to the vehicle, these minor color variations will not be noticeable.
How will my order be shipping and how long will it take to get to me?
We ship our products via UPS Ground and will accept requests to ship via FedEx Ground. Please contact us for a quote on expedited shipping. Standard ground shipping will take 3-5 business days within the continental United States. Orders shipping to Canada can take an additional 3-5 business days for standard ground shipping.
We ship our products via UPS Ground and will accept requests to ship via FedEx Ground. Please contact us for a quote on expedited shipping. Standard ground shipping will take 3-5 business days within the continental United States. Orders shipping to Canada can take an additional 3-5 business days for standard ground shipping.
Why do I have to pay two shipping charges on my order?
Shop Frames & Plates are manufactured in two different locations different from the corporate office location. The printing is done in a third location. If you order two items from us, they may ship out of two different locations and there will be two separate shipping charges incurred on your invoice for this reason.
Shop Frames & Plates are manufactured in two different locations different from the corporate office location. The printing is done in a third location. If you order two items from us, they may ship out of two different locations and there will be two separate shipping charges incurred on your invoice for this reason.
Why are you charging me a set-up charge or a mold charge?
For each custom frame we set up artwork for every new order. A production mold is made to create your frame or promotional product. With silkscreen plates there is no set-up fee.
For each custom frame we set up artwork for every new order. A production mold is made to create your frame or promotional product. With silkscreen plates there is no set-up fee.
Why has a white underlay been suggested?
When printing a color other than white onto a dark surface such as a black license plate or license plate frame, the color will end up appearing much darker than originally intended. For this reason, we recommend adding a white underlay. The white underlay does have an additional color imprint charge per piece. When using a white underlay, we will first print your imprint exactly as shown on your artwork proof with white prior to printing the requested imprint color. This will make the process much more like printing on a white surface than a black surface.
When printing a color other than white onto a dark surface such as a black license plate or license plate frame, the color will end up appearing much darker than originally intended. For this reason, we recommend adding a white underlay. The white underlay does have an additional color imprint charge per piece. When using a white underlay, we will first print your imprint exactly as shown on your artwork proof with white prior to printing the requested imprint color. This will make the process much more like printing on a white surface than a black surface.
What are overs (over-runs) and unders (under-runs)?
When manufacturing custom plastic or metal products, the machines can produce a total of 10% over or 10% under runs. We set our machines up to produce a certain amount over the intended order because not every piece in production will come out as sellable to our quality standards. Typically, we end up rejecting several pieces per order, which can lead to under runs or an exact quantity amount. If more pieces turn out as intended, there can be up to 10% over runs on orders. For minimum quantities these overruns can go up to 20%. Any cost difference will be adjusted on the invoice and will be billed or credited using the billing information on file.
When manufacturing custom plastic or metal products, the machines can produce a total of 10% over or 10% under runs. We set our machines up to produce a certain amount over the intended order because not every piece in production will come out as sellable to our quality standards. Typically, we end up rejecting several pieces per order, which can lead to under runs or an exact quantity amount. If more pieces turn out as intended, there can be up to 10% over runs on orders. For minimum quantities these overruns can go up to 20%. Any cost difference will be adjusted on the invoice and will be billed or credited using the billing information on file.
Why is there an artwork fee on my invoice?
Our minimum artwork guidelines and requirements specify that on a full color license plate product, we can utilize a jpeg as long as it is 300 DPI and 6x12 in size. On any other product, we do require a vector file for the artwork you would like to utilize on your product. The vector file must be a true vector file with all fonts converted to outlines/curves. If low resolution artwork was sent over, we can vector it and if it will take longer than one (1) hour for our art department to recreate the logo in a vector format, we will contact you first to collect the vector fee as quoted by our lead graphic artist on staff. If the artwork takes under an hour to re-create, our team will re-create it for you and add a small artwork fee to your invoice prior to ordering.
Our minimum artwork guidelines and requirements specify that on a full color license plate product, we can utilize a jpeg as long as it is 300 DPI and 6x12 in size. On any other product, we do require a vector file for the artwork you would like to utilize on your product. The vector file must be a true vector file with all fonts converted to outlines/curves. If low resolution artwork was sent over, we can vector it and if it will take longer than one (1) hour for our art department to recreate the logo in a vector format, we will contact you first to collect the vector fee as quoted by our lead graphic artist on staff. If the artwork takes under an hour to re-create, our team will re-create it for you and add a small artwork fee to your invoice prior to ordering.
