1. Basics: How your logo is created on the hotplate

Before your design is transferred to the engraving plate, your file is converted into a vector-based engraving template. This means that every line, letter, and symbol is converted into precise contours that the milling cutter or laser later engraves into the metal.

This level of precision requires a clear, high-contrast image. Photos or color gradients are unsuitable – they cannot be cleanly reproduced during the burning process. The better prepared your file, the sharper and more detailed your burnt image will be.

2. Suitable file formats and resolutions

• Vector formats (recommended): .tif , .EPS , .SVG , .PDF (vektorbasiert) . These formats remain perfectly sharp regardless of size.
• Bitmap formats (alternatively): .PNG or .JPG in very high resolution (at least 600 dpi). Only suitable if the image is clearly black and white.

3. Design tips for clear brand images

In branding, it's not the effect of color that counts, but the structure. Therefore, the design should be simple yet precise:

• Avoid overly delicate details – lines smaller than 0.5 mm can blur during firing.
• Use high-contrast areas instead of gradients.
• Ensure sufficient spacing between letters and shapes.
• If necessary, reduce the logo to a simplified version specifically for the brand.

Many professional brands use a "brand variant" of their logo – fewer details, but maximum recognizability on any material.

4. Fonts, line weights & contrasts

Lettering is a key element of many engravings. To ensure it remains legible, you should keep the following in mind:

• Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Helvetica, Open Sans) are best suited. They have clean lines and consistent thickness.
• Line thickness: at least 0.3 mm. Thinner lines will disappear during firing.
• Avoid italic or very fine lettering – it warps more easily in the heat.

For logos with text, it is recommended to slightly enlarge or abbreviate the lettering so that it remains easily legible even on small surfaces.

5. Common mistakes in logo preparation

• Color gradients: Branding irons work purely with light-dark contrasts, no intermediate tones.
• Photos or raster images: too many shades of gray, unsuitable for engraving.
• Blurry templates lead to inaccurate contours.
• Too many small details: these can be lost or run together during firing.
• Incorrect mirroring: Logos must always be mirrored for the branding iron so that they appear correctly in the branding process.

6. How to submit your template correctly

During the ordering process, you can upload your logo or graphic directly. Make sure the file name is unique and includes the version without a colored background.

• File format: preferably .SVG or .PDF .
• Color mode: Black and white (no grayscale).
• Size: Make it as large as it should later appear on the branding iron.

After uploading, the file is manually checked and technically prepared. Engraving only starts after your approval – so you have full control over the result when you book our data check service.

7. Conclusion & Recommendation

A clean, high-contrast template is the foundation for every high-quality branding iron . With clear lines, sufficient font size, and the correct file format, nothing stands in the way of a precise branding image.

Those who take logo preparation seriously save time and money and receive a result that not only looks professional but also lasts a long time – whether on wood, leather or cork.