Branding my work

[Olaf Vogel]

I'd like to find a way to put my signature in the bottom of my work.
My wife is a graphic artist, so she can design a cool logo for me.

A metal brand to burn it in is one option. I dont actually know of any others?

Does anyone have experience with ordering such a brand?
There's a huge range of options: different metals etc.
I wont need to change fonts, text

thanks
Olaf

[Al Launier]

Thanks for posting this thread Olaf. I have a similar interest, but prefer to have a small "branding" script rather than the large ones. Will be watching this thread with interest!

[Dale Gillaspy]

If your wife can design it small and on the simple side, you can make your own brand with nichrome wire. It goes in your pyrography pen, or you can make your own one of those, too.

[Peter Blair]

I tried this but because the bottoms of a lot of my work are not flat I gave up. Still use it on some other items though.
Continue to use my burning system and or a small engraver or my high speed dental tool.

[Ralph Boumenot]

Infinity does branding irons and stamps

[David DeCristoforo]

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?173972-Branded

[Ralph Lindberg]

I tried this but because the bottoms of a lot of my work are not flat I gave up. Still use it on some other items though.
Continue to use my burning system and or a small engraver or my high speed dental tool.

What Peter said. My DW bought a custom iron for me, the lack of flatness became the issue. She has since had a -small- custom iron made for herself, but had yet to try it (just her initials, joined together into a single glyph)

[Dwight Rutherford]

I have been looking for an economical method to brand my turnings also. Earlier this year I came across this http://www.thefrankes.com/wp/?p=1893
It looks exactly like what I want. Unfortunately I have no expertise with any of the software programs mentioned. I left a message on the website but have gotten no response. I suspect it is dormant. If this appeals to anyone and you have or know someone that could help, please let me know.

[Peter Blair]

Thanks David. It appears this was posted before I was a member of this site. Great info.
Can you tell us if that is all that you put on the bottom of your pieces? A lot of people including me also put a number but I'm not sure it is necessary.

[Joseph Hawkins]

I bought one from a guy on etsy, you send him whatever design you want and he has different size. It's one you have to heat with a torch or hot plate but for only $65 and having your own design, thought it was a good deal.

[Thomas Heck]

I bought one from here after my wife's uncle got one. http://www.brand-first.com. Works great, you can design your own stamp and use your original signature. I might have got mine too large, if the bottom of the bowl is not level, you won't get an even brand. Hope this helps.

[Vince Welch]

Hi Olaf,
I seen I vendor last year at the AAW Symposium offering branding irons. I ended getting one from him and I really like the idea. However, like others have mentioned the idea of making sure surface is "very" flat is essential. I have had to go back and spend time "relearning" to get bottoms flat if I wanted to use the iron. Let me know and I will post a pic of the final result. Vince

[John Sincerbeaux]

I prefer a fine point sharpie for my signature and date. People who buy art like and want the artist's signature.

[Kurt Vilary]

My friend has 3" diam x .125" thick wood disks with his name and logo on them. I think he made the logo and brought the wood to a local trophy shop and they either engraved or silk screened his logo on the disks. when he is finished a piece he cuts a recess on the bottom the exact diameter of the disk and glues it in. pretty cool.

[neil mackay]

I have just picked up two branding iron in brass that I have fitted to a soldering iron. Two becuase I needed a smaller one for small turned objects.

[Olaf Vogel]

Thanks for all the feedback.
I'll want a simple logo and my name recognizable enough that people can read who made it (marketing value).
Hopefully 1" dia is big enough. Most of my pieces are pretty big so finding flat spots is not really an issue.
at that size a soldiering iron might not work, but maybe a welding torch.

Thanks for the recommendation re Brand-First. They have something for about $100.
While I like the DIY route, this is more complex than I want to tackle to save $100. :)

Olaf