Logo’s and makers marks ??

[GrampaJoel]

Over the years I have always marked my leather work.

Mostly western/horse/ cowboy/gun holsters types of items.

I had a oval stamp with my name and city and made in USA on it. I see a lot similar in the western products. No one ever questioned me about it.

Recently,,, I changed venues,  from large items to smaller personal items. I also changed my mark to a stamp with just my stylized first name.( see below)

Sooo,,, 

I was showing a wallet prototype to a niece today at lunch, and after commenting that she liked it, she ask, but,,, was I going to put my name on all of them?

I explained it was my makers mark.  Not unlike the mark on her ‘ Fossil ‘ branded wallet. She seemed to not understand that they were the same thing.

so my question is ,

do you think my new logo is ok? 
and/or,,,should I add something to indicate it as a makers mark?

thanks 

Joel

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by GrampaJoel

[Gezzer]

I'd say just fine , I don't see why anyone would not get it .

[Handstitched]

Looks just fine to me  

I've been wanting to have a ' makers mark' stamp  made for sometime , about time  I did. I think its the cost that puts me off having one. 

I don't have a mark of any kind atm.

HS

[MarlinDave]

That’s the start of your brand of products. I imagine when Monet and Rembrandt started out somebody said “why did they sign that”? I make stuff for people and they sometimes are surprised that I have a makers mark as they know me from another career. Just now got some stuff good enough to put a mark on. 

[Double Daddy]

Ain't a single thing wrong with that...it's your "brand", as you put it. I'd run with it if I were you and not look back...

[Tugadude]

Maybe it wasn't the composition of the maker's mark, but rather her inability to separate you, someone she knows and loves from a faceless company.  I think it looks just fine!

 

P.S.  And hopefully she doesn't look at you as a Fossil! 

[nstarleather]

Maybe I'm in the minority but if the difference between your mark and a Fossil brand (and most others) is no waitress or cashier is going to see you open a wallet and say "Oh your name's Fossil"...whereas anyone who sees a wallet that has a somewhat common first name stamped on it is going to think someone just has a personalized wallet with the name Joel. 

IMO you need to go more stylized to make it clear it's your mark.   I think the mark would be better if you actually had your last name or initial in a stylized way that makes it looks less like it looks when someone has me stamp a name on a wallet.  Even adding a small "made in USA" below or just "USA" will make it clear that it's a brand/maker's mark...   I like the simplicity of your logo but  I do see what your niece saw but it's easily fixed with a small change or two. 

As far as maker's marks in general go, I think they're simply a point of pride and maybe a bit of exercise in ego...I've never owned an item where I was happier because it had a prominent brand.  Some people argue for them as a way of promotion, but unless someone can quickly type a description of your mark into Google and have you pop up, then it's not promotion.     This leaves you making  a mark that's basically your entire business name if you actually want someone to see something you made and come to you.

Just my two cents. 

[MikeRock]

Looks good, kind of agree with North Star..... 

Can anyone tell me what sizes were common for the oval shaped makers stamps on holsters and gunbelts, like in Packing Iron....  it's time to get a stamp.

God bless

[nstarleather]

Back to the Future taught us the dangers of having a logo that's a name when no one knows your brand. 

[DwightT]

Judging by the size of the stitches in the photo, I would guess that your mark is small enough that it would be a stretch for somebody to think it is the name of the person holding the wallet or whatever.  I think your "brand" looks just fine as it is.

    /dwight