What Files Do You Need to Make a Metal Logo?

When ordering a metal logo, having the right files and formats can save a lot of hassle.In this article, we explain in detail the types of core files you need to provide, the design format specifications, and common pitfalls to avoid. This will help you easily complete your custom metal signage and avoid the need for rework or a poor result due to file problems.

Before customizing a computer, you must first be clear about the requirements of these documents.

Before you start designing, make sure you understand what the factory needs! The requirements for source files for making metal logos are stricter than for ordinary printing. Leaving out critical information can lead to a completely different result.

Vector files are the hard currency.

Never send a . jpg or . png file! Factories need . ai, . eps, or . cdr vector files.Vector graphics can be enlarged indefinitely without losing clarity, so that the edges of the metal carving remain sharp.And if it's a logo with text, remember to outline the text.

Don't merge files at random.

If the logo has gradient effects, cutouts, or multiple layers, then the original layered files must be kept.For example, if you want a three-dimensional effect, you must separately indicate the height parameter. If you combine the layers, the craftsman won't know your intentions, and the result may be a "flat pancake.

Three principles for avoiding pitfalls.

Don't get the color mode wrong.

Metallic colors: The CMYK mode is used for metal coloration, while Pantone color numbers are required for plating.Many new designers are used to working in RGB mode, but the result when the image is printed is a murky gray, far different from what is seen on the screen.

There must be enough room for bleeding.

There is physical error in metal cutting, so a 3mm bleed area must be left around the edges.One client once asked for a logo that went right to the edge of the design, but after it was cut, the logo was missing a corner.

Resolution is a must.

When it comes to turning photographs into logos, the resolution should start at 300 dpi.A restaurant owner once used a mobile phone to take a photo of a sketch, and had a metal sign made from it. The result was a mosaic effect, and the sign looked more like it was from a roadside eatery than a high-class restaurant.

These are often overlooked minefields.

Special skills must be marked.

If you want an antique finish, a mirror finish, or any other special effect, make sure to include a diagram of what you want in your file.One customer simply wrote, "It must have texture." The factory interpreted this to mean that the metal should be given a rough surface, but this was not what the customer wanted.

Units of measurement must be standardized.

Mixing centimeters and inches can lead to confusion.One company learned the hard way: The design was marked in inches, but the factory made it in centimeters, and the logo ended up the size of a pin.

Copyright problems have to be self-monitored.

If your logo contains text or graphic elements, you need to ensure that you have the right to use them commercially.One well-known restaurant used a paid-for font on a metal sign, but was held responsible, and had to remove the sign that had just been put up.