Metal finishes are a key part of the retail display manufacturing process. Before answering your frequently asked questions about finishes, here a few key facts to remember:
- Powder coating accounts for about 95% of the metal finishing done by Franklin Display Group
- Chrome plating is more commonly used for high-end retail displays
- The three main types of powder coating include epoxy, polyester, and a hybrid of epoxy and polyester
- The ability to custom color match makes powder coating ideal for metal retail displays
Not only do finishes help extend a display’s service life and durability, they can also help enhance or reinforce important branding elements to increase customer engagement. But there’s much more to know about metal finishings, especially in terms of choosing the right finishing material or process for your retail display.
Finishing is a core component of Franklin Display Group’s display manufacturing process. With decades of experience in helping brands identify the right finishing for their needs, we have the knowledge and insight to incorporate metal finishings to optimize the look and performance of your display.
Here, Franklin answers a few questions you might have about metal finishes and powder coating.
What types of metal finishings does Franklin most commonly provide customers?
Powder coating makes up about 95% of the finishing work Franklin does, though we also do some work with powder coating zinc undercoats, metals that are zinc-coated or zinc-plated. These types of coatings or finishes are more common for outdoor retail displays.
What’s unique about the way Franklin approaches powder coating?
Unlike the average display manufacturer, Franklin has an in-house powder coating line. Being able to complete custom powder coating jobs in-house speeds up the entire manufacturing process.
The value of working with Franklin, especially if you are looking for a custom powder coating solution, is in saving you both time and money. We are able to produce your display faster and at a lower cost than the average manufacturer who outsources the finishing process.
Is there a common question or request customers have when working with you on metal finishings?
Color matching custom colors is one of the most common questions customers have in the custom retail display manufacturing process.
Franklin’s powder coating experts can accurately match the PMS colors you need to maintain your brand standards. On a recent project, Franklin worked with a sports drink manufacturer that used a very specific type of blue. The company needed their displays to match their brand’s exact PMS color, and we were able to create a custom powder coating that was a perfect match.
What are the different types or methods of powder coating?
There are three main types of coating that Franklin uses for different conditions or applications: epoxies, polyesters, and a hybrid of those two. Polyesters are extremely durable, and, because of UV protection, they’re commonly used in outdoor displays. Epoxies and hybrids don’t quite have the same UV protection, so they’re used more frequently with indoor displays. Textured powder coatings are also popular.
Textured coatings also help conceal metal defects, imperfections, or scuffs. It can be an effective tool or technique in maximizing your display and getting the most out of your budget.
What about sustainability? Is powder coating sustainable?
Powder coating is classified as a nuisance dust. The powders don’t involve any chemicals — they’re just resins, epoxies, and pigmentation.
This means that, when a steel display that has been powder coated is no longer useful, the powder can be burned off, making the whole display easier to recycle.
Franklin Display Group has decades of experience in end-to-end retail display fabrication, including powder coating and other metal finishing techniques designed to help you enhance the visual appeal and service life of your retail display. Our dedication to innovation and the highest-quality fabrication materials means we can create custom retail displays that help your brand get a leg up on the competition.
Browse our project gallery to explore the kinds of retail displays we create, or request a quote for your custom display.