FAQ

How do I proceed if I want to order a branding iron with engraving?

First of all, you need to determine how large the motif that you want to brand should appear as a branding stamp imprint on your workpiece or background.

The size can depend, for example, significantly on the area available for the stamp imprint.

Once you have determined the size, go to our online shop at 

https://mein-brennstempel.de/brennstempel/brennstempel-inkl.-gravur/ to find the right branding iron.

For example, if you want to brand a motif in the size of 65x32mm, you need the ALK4N with 300Watt and an engraved branding plate 70x35mm: 

https://mein-brennstempel.de/brennstempel/brennstempel-inkl.-gravur/169/original-alk4n-70mm-x-35mm-inkl.-gravur?c=28#59ed9258aafbe5eed8ea2c86e808d90a.

Then upload your motif via the "Logo upload". Before you do this, you must confirm that your data is correct and that you have read the "Specifications for supplied data" at https://mein-brennstempel.de/gravuranforderungen.

You can adjust the size of your motif slightly using the scaling function and then apply the configuration. Finally, you will see an animated preview of the firing result, which you can then transfer to the shopping basket.

From there you can proceed to the payment process with PayPal or by prepayment to our bank account as well as to the deposit of your billing and delivery address.

After the successful order you will receive an order confirmation from our online shop.

As soon as we have received your payment, you will also receive an order confirmation with all items, which also shows your expected delivery date.

How is a branding iron constructed?

  • Our branding irons consist of:
  • Power cable with plug
  • wooden handle
  • metal housing
  • built-in heating element
  • exchangeable firing plate for engraving

I already have a branding iron from you. Can I order a new firing plate with engraving and insert it myself?

Yes, this is possible with ALK branding irons. Please note that not all ALK branding plates are compatible with all ALK branding stamps. Here is an overview of our ALK branding irons and the respective matching branding plates:

  • ALK0: 30x16mm, 25mm round
  • ALK1N: 35x20mm, 50x15mm
  • ALK2N: 50x25mm, 35mm round
  • ALK4N: 45x40mm. 70x35mm, 90x20mm, 50mm round
  • ALK6N: 70x70mm, 75x50mm, 90x40mm, 110x30mm, 60mm round

If you would like to use a new firing plate for the models of the HLP-series and the S-series, we recommend that you send us your firing stamp so that our qualified personnel can carry out the firing plate exchange.

I have uploaded my logo and see nothing in the preview!

There may be coloured elements in your motif. These are not recognised by our upload software. Therefore, please upload only black and white files.

Which file formats are suitable for uploading engraving templates?

The following file formats are possible: .tif, eps, .jpg/.jpeg, .gif, .png, .pdf

Will you check the feasibility of my engraving template before engraving?

We only check your motif for feasibility if you order our data check at https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/233/datencheck.

If your order does not include a data check, your engraving template will be transferred directly to the engraving machine without being checked.

How do I know whether my motif is suitable for a branding iron?

You can check the feasibility of your motif yourself by looking at our engraving requirements at https://mein-brennstempel.de/gravuranforderungen. There you will find all the information you need for engraving. There you will find all the information you need to check.

I am not sure whether my motif is suitable for engraving or a branding iron. Can you please take a look in advance?

We would be happy to do so! Please order our data check at https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/233/datencheck when you order your branding iron. We will then check your file for feasibility for a branding iron and send you a proof. Unfortunately, we cannot carry out a check without an order.

My motif is only 32x15mm. Can you also engrave it on a 70x35mm firing plate?

Since the heat of the branding iron is only transferred to the substrate via the raised surface of the branding plate (in this case 32x15mm), the heating elements built into the branding iron would overheat. We therefore always recommend choosing a firing plate that matches the size of the motif.

In this case, a 35x20mm firing plate including engraving must be ordered.

Why does the motif or engraving template have to fill the available area of the firing plate as much as possible?

The heat of the branding iron is transferred to the background exclusively via the raised surface of the branding plate. This raised surface is created by the engraving of the motif on the firing plate. If the raised surface of the motif is considerably smaller than the firing plate, the firing plate will become hotter and hotter, as it cannot release its heat during the firing process. As a result, the heating elements built into the branding iron overheat and are damaged.

How hot does the firing punch get?

Our appliances all get hot to about 400 degrees Celsius. This is the optimum temperature for branding wood.

Since we offer many different branding irons and branding plates in different sizes, the devices each have different outputs (watts) to reach the temperature of 400 degrees Celsius.

For example, an ALK1N with a 50x15mm firing plate needs only 150 watts to reach 400 degrees, while an S210 with a 200x100mm firing plate needs 1,400 watts.

Can I also brand leather with the branding iron?

Yes, this works very well and is done by many of our customers. However, for almost all types of leather, the normal temperature of the branding iron of 400 degrees Celsius is too high. Therefore, an alternating regulator must be interposed to reduce the temperature.

You can order this here: https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/146/alk-powerregulator.

Can I also use the branding iron to brand plastic?

Yes, this works very well and is done by many of our customers. However, for almost all types of plastic, the normal temperature of the branding iron of 400 degrees Celsius is too high. Therefore, an alternating regulator must be interposed to reduce the temperature.

You can order this here: https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/146/alk-powerregulator.

Can I also use the branding iron to brand cardboard, paper and cardboard?

Yes, this works very well and is done by many of our customers. However, for almost all types of cardboard and paper the normal temperature of the branding iron of 400 degrees Celsius is too high. Therefore, an alternating regulator must be interposed to reduce the temperature.

You can order this here: https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/146/alk-powerregulator.

Can I also use the branding iron to brand food?

We expressly advise against branding food, as our branding plates contain a small amount of lead. This is toxic and must not come into contact with food.

Which materials can I brand?

Wood, bamboo, leather, plastics of all kinds, cork, cardboard, paper...

We have also used and tested our branding iron on candles, fire hoses, MDF, felt and fabric.

The temperature of my branding iron is too high. Can I reduce the temperature?

As our stamps do not have a built-in temperature control, you will need our changeover controller to reduce the temperature. You can order it here:

https://mein-brennstempel.de/zubehoer/146/alk-powerregulator

Do you also carry out test firing stamps?

Yes, we carry out test branding on behalf of our customers. These are charged at cost and have a delivery time of approx. 4-6 working days. In return, you will receive photos of the tests and we will return the workpiece provided to us with the test branding. Please contact us about this at info@alk-tools.com. 

What is the delivery time for a branding iron incl. engraving?

The delivery time for a branding iron incl. engraving is approx. 10 working days. In times of increased incoming orders, it may take a little longer. And when it's not so busy, it's quicker...;-)

Where can I find my delivery date?

You will find your delivery date in the top right-hand corner of your order confirmation, which we will send you once we have received your advance payment.

Can I also use a smaller firing plate in my ALK firing stamp, e.g. a firing plate 50x15mm from the ALK1N/150W in a firing stamp ALK4N/300W?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. The firing plate 50x15mm is too small for the ALK4N and would overheat. A firing plate 50x15mm is only suitable for the ALK1N with 150 Watt and would overheat in the ALK4N with 300 Watt. This can damage the heating elements in the firing plunger or cause them to fail completely. In addition, the ALK firing plates have different sized firing pins, so that small firing plates do not fit into larger fixtures (and vice versa).

I placed an order in your online shop and received an order confirmation. After that I have not received anything more from you.

Did you choose the payment option "Payment in advance" when you placed the order? Then you only have to transfer the amount stated in the order confirmation to our account at Deutsche Bank or via PayPal and you will receive an order confirmation with delivery date.

To which bank account can I transfer the amount in advance?

Please transfer your advance payment to the following bank account:

Deutsche Bank, IBAN: DE87 2307 0710 0043 1726 00, BIC DEUTDEHH222.

To which PayPal account can I transfer the amount in advance?

Please transfer your prepayment to the following PayPal account:

info@norddeutsche-apparatebau.de

How much are the shipping costs?

We only ship within Germany for 9,50€ incl. VAT.

Do you also ship abroad?

No, we only ship within Germany

Which shipping service do you use?

We only deliver with GLS Germany.

Do you also deliver by express?

No, we do not offer express delivery.