MANUFACTURING
The new manufacturing process produces a flat license plate that is
printed, not embossed. While the look of the plate is different
(especially when viewed up close), the materials used are of the same
high quality as existing license plates. Unlike plates with embossed
figures, the digital plates do not warp during the manufacturing
process.
The DLPS is installed at the license plate manufacturing plant in the
Wynne Unit of the Texas Department of Corrections in Huntsville. The
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the plant and
produced almost 8 million license plates for TxDOT in 2001. TxDOT sold
about 280,000 sets of special plates.
BENEFITS
The new DLPS, when fully implemented, simplifies ordering, eliminates
paperwork, reduces inventories of special pre-printed sheeting, and
reduces waste.
The system will reduce the delivery time of specialty "one-of-a-kind"
license plates to the customer to about one week. The current process
takes up to four weeks. Cost to the customer will not increase.
DLPS is more environmentally friendly, eliminating the use of paint,
dyes, lacquer and solvents in the manufacturing process.
DLPS reduces development time for new special plate designs from
about 12 weeks to one week.
DLPS will be instrumental in allowing TxDOT and TDCJ to keep up with
increasing demands on the registration system and license plate needs as
the state’s population continues to grow. With DLPS, specialty and
one-of-a-kind plates can be quickly manufactured without disruption to
the general issue plate production.
The new DLPS updates license plate manufacturing technology by 50-75
years. Texas is the third state to install the system. Other states are
also adopting the new manufacturing process.
APPROVED DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES
Following is a list of all DLPS-approved license plates currently being
issued to customers, and a link to the graphic and information about the
plate. Other designs are being phased in as current supplies of custom
sheeting are depleted.
Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2005
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