Text Sizes

Text Width

If you run out of space for text, our system will compress the text to fit the available space. The height of the text, or point size, is unchanged. There is no maximum number of characters.

Example – 1" x 3" – 1/2" text

Our spec requires FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL to be 1/2" tall. First, we will try a 1" x 3" with 1/2" text:

1 x 3 nameplate with compressed 1/2 inch text

The text looks a bit compressed, affecting the readability. The easiest fix is to try a wider plate, like in the next Example.

Example – 1" x 6" – 1/2" text

Here is a 1" x 6" with the same text and text size. Looks much better, and is easier to read:

1 x 6 nameplate compared to 1 x 3 nameplate with 1/2 inch text

Example – 1" x 3" – 1/4" text

If we want to keep the 1" x 3" size, we can reduce the size of the text to 1/4". Then we will have room for 3 lines of text:

1 x 3 nameplate with 1/2 inch text compared to 1/4 inch text

Example – 2" x 6" – 1/2" text

If we need to keep the 1/2" text, then we could use a 2" tall plate. That will allow 1, 2 or 3 lines of 1/2" text:

2 x 6 nameplate compared to 1 x 3 nameplate

Text Height

For Nameplates only, text height, or point size is generally offered at 50%, 25% or 12.5% of the height of the nameplate. This allows the proper amount of margin for easy readability. See the chart below.

Nameplate HeightStandard Text Sizes
1/4"1/8", 5/64"*
1/2"1/4", 1/8"
3/4"3/8", 3/16"
1"1/2", 1/4", 1/8"
1 1/2"3/4", 3/8", 3/16"
2"1", 1/2", 1/4"
3"1 1/2", 3/4", 3/8"
4"2", 1", 1/2"
5"5/8"

* 1/4" nameplates use 5/64" text for two lines.

Lines of text

150%1 line
325%1 to 3 lines
612.5%1 to 6 lines

Text size as a percentage of plate height.