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Brass letters are at the heart of hot foil stamping. But how do you choose the right font and size for your project? Whether you're stamping on leather, paper, or packaging, the right typography makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through key considerations to help you choose the perfect brass type for your needs. 1. Why Font and Size Matter in Foil Stamping Choosing the right brass font and size isn’t just about style — it affects legibility, impression quality, and your brand image. Since foil stamping involves high heat and pressure, fonts that are too thin, intricate, or small may appear faint or blurred. Conversely, fonts that are too thick or oversized can dominate the design or damage delicate surfaces. 2. Understand Your Stamping Material Your substrate will greatly influence font choice: Leather: Best paired with bold serif or sans-serif fonts; avoid fine lines that may fade into the grain. Paper/Cardstock: Smooth surfaces can handle thinner fonts, but ultra-fine scripts are still risky. Wood/Plastic: Require deeper impressions; thicker and larger fonts work best. Tip: Always test fonts on a sample of your material before full production. 3. Choose Fonts with Strong Impressions Certain fonts perform better under heat and pressure due to their structure. ✅ Recommended Fonts: Helvetica – clean and modern Garamond – elegant and classic Futura – geometric and highly legible Times New Roman – traditional and professional 🚫 Fonts to Avoid: Ultra-thin handwritten or script fonts Fonts with excessive flourishes Very light weights that won't imprint well 4. Picking the Right Font Size The best size depends on your product, layout, and branding needs. Here’s a helpful guide: 📐 Recommended Brass Letter Sizes by Product Product Type Font Size (mm) Notes Leather keychains / tags 3–4 mm Best with bold, clean fonts Wallets / card holders 4–5 mm Great for initials or short names Notebook covers 5–6 mm Ideal for serif or decorative fonts Gift boxes / packaging 6–8 mm Brand names or taglines stand out well Paper cards / stationery 4–6 mm Use high-contrast foil for clarity Wood tags / coasters 6–10 mm Handles deeper impressions well Leather logo stamping 6–10 mm Larger sizes improve legibility Book covers / planners 8–12 mm Suitable for elegant scripts Large boxes / labels 10–15 mm For maximum visual impact 5. Check Brass Type Height Compatibility Most brass type for foil stamping comes in 23.5 mm (0.925") height, which fits standard stamping machines. Confirm your machine’s compatibility before ordering. 6. Match Your Font to Your Brand Identity Fonts carry emotion. Use this to align with your product or brand: Modern brands → Sans-serif fonts (e.g., Avenir, Gotham) Luxury branding → Serif fonts (e.g., Bodoni, Garamond) with gold foil Rustic/handmade products → Slab serif or vintage fonts 7. Don’t Overlook Letter Spacing and Layout Tight kerning may cause letters to blur under heat. Slightly increased spacing improves clarity and gives your foil a cleaner finish. Use appropriate type holders or spacers to maintain even alignment during setup. Final Thoughts: Test Before You Press Choosing the right font and size for brass letters is a balance of design, technical precision, and branding. ✅ Stick to legible, bold fonts ✅ Match size to surface and impression depth ✅ Consider your audience’s language and cultural style ✅ Always test before mass production Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: Can I use any font I like for brass letter customization? Technically yes, but not all fonts produce clear impressions. Stick with strong, simple lines unless you've tested. （We’ve put together 26 fonts. If you’d like, just reach out to us, and we’ll send you the font installation packages.） Q: What's the most popular size for brass letters? Between 4mm–6mm for leather goods and paper items. Larger products may require 8–12mm.