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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.

Jinglin Stamping Machine_10.jpg

Edited by Jinglin

Jinglin was born out of a passion for embossing craftsmanship and a pursuit of personalized customization. In exploring traditional techniques, we discovered that embossing is not just a decorative process, but a form of artistic expression that gives each creation a unique shine and texture. As a result, we are dedicated to creating high-quality embossing machines and custom brass dies to help creators bring their design dreams to life.

We are committed to providing craft enthusiasts with high-quality, affordable tools and materials, enabling them to enjoy the creative process and achieve remarkable results.

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