You have two options for personalisation - Either we set your wording out for you in one of the fonts listed below (Option 1), or you can send us an .ai or .eps file with your own logo artwork (Option 2).
An ideal choice if you don't have a particular font you want to use. We set out your wording with any of the fonts below. There are no limits to the number of lines you can have and there is no extra set up charge.
A week before production we will email you with a PDF proof so you can approve the design / layout and spelling. Once we have an emailed confirmation of your approval we will get to work. It’s as simple as that!
Please ensure that all artwork sent follows the guidelines below.
Illustrator: How to convert text to outlines
https://youtu.be/CygQcHrkVGI
Photoshop: How to convert an image to a vector
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZX890lABFQ
Photoshop: How to convert text into a vector
https://hartnackandco.com/pages/adobe-photoshop-guidelines
If your artwork contains very fine details it may require a brass die instead of a magnesium one. Unfortunately brass dies are more expensive and we will quote for this separately.
There is an option to upload the artwork when placing the order or you can send your artwork and positioning diagram to: artwork@hartnackandco.com
Lastly, but very importantly. If we have to do any remedial work on the artwork you send us, there will be a charge based on £60.00 p/hour. Just send it exactly as above and we'll be good to go!!
Once we receive either your instructions as per option 1. or your logo as per option 2. we make a metal die of either your name or your artwork (as per the picture below).
We send your artwork to our die makers. The process works by creating a picture negative film of your name/artwork and placing it over a piece of magnesium metal. Very (very!) briefly, anything that is covered in black is not washed off by a Hydrosolvent devoloper and water, anything left exposed stays. You are then left metal die, as per the examples above.
The film is very light sensitive, which is why we need smooth vector images and and not pixel bit map images. If we develop dies from pixel images then the risk is that we get 'jagged' dies as below
We then attach the die to the hot plate of a stamping machine and either blind deboss or foil the logo onto the surface of your box, portfolio or album as below.
Blind deboss creates a deep impression in the material or the leather without using a coloured foil. You are just left with an impressed image.
Worth noting is that if you are using a fine and small typeface, your name will not stand out as well as if it were foiled.
Hot foil stamping creates a lighter impression in the material or the leather with a coloured or metallic foil.
Combining large foiled areas with small type can sometimes be very difficult to foil, so we might suggest that you consider UV printing to achieve the best result.
A plaque, or recess, cut into the cover of your portfolio or box which can then be personalised. There is no limit to the size or colour of the plaque (other than the size of the stamping) and it can be placed anywhere you like.
A bit of added impact to your presentation portfolio or box. Your name or logo is foiled or debossed onto your portfolio cover, but appears through a cut out window.
A recess only is when we just leave a recessed space into which a card can be glued. The two advantages of an inlay is that on the one hand, it is cost effective and on the other, being a printed card, you are not limited by colour, design or size. It can be as big as you want or alternatively, you can also just place a business card in the recess.
If you are looking for a full colour personalisation in a variety of places then UV printing is the best method of customising your portfolio or box. UV Printing uses a large flat-bed multi colour ink jet system to print. As there are no dies involved, the size of the logo can be as big or small and in as many places, as you like. Please note though, it is an image printed onto your portfolio and as such may not be as sharp and vibrant as a foiled logo.