Where to apply your makers mark?

[Windom Leather]

Where is the best place to put your makers, On say spur straps. Is the back of the piece acceptable or should you always try and keep it on the front?

[Studio-N]

I'm glad you brought this subject up. I really hate seeing big makers marks in the middle of the item.

I go to a lot of gunshows where people are selling holsters. Even on plain holsters the big honking mark is right on the front.

I would never buy one. Leather holsters are expensive (relatively speaking). I am not going to pay a lot of money to advertise for the person selling it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. There is a nice spot on the backside of the holster where that could have gone and not distract from the holster itself. Now on smaller items like the spur straps you mention, I have no problem with a small mark on the buckle piece. On belts, up near the buckle look is a spot that is not gaudy. If fact, it might even be covered by a trophy buckle. The bottom line - I can see the need for brand recognition, and I can see that you will be proud of the item you made, but somewhere where it is a bit inconspictuous (sp?) is a good spot. Look at it this way: when you buy a nice table the maker didn't put his big gaudy mark on the table top did he? It is usually on the bottom, or it is in the drawer of furniture items. As a woodturner, the signature is always on the bottom of the bowl.

You see this in most crafts. That's my 2 cents, but at today's prices it's only worth half that much. cheers!

[hidepounder]

I think placement of the makers stamp is purely the preference of the maker. My personal opinion is that a place for the makers stamp show be included in the tooling design and not just slapped on someplace that is handy. If the makers stamp detracts from the piece than that is not desireable. On a pair of spur straps you would want to have a pretty small stamp to be able to show it on the front and not detract from the looks of the piece. If you are unable to find an appropriate place on the outside of the piece, then placing it on the back is fine. Having two or three sizes or types of stamps can be handy. Sometimes it's handy to have a Signature stamp. Hope this helps....

Bob

[outcast]

I'm glad you brought this subject up. I really hate seeing big makers marks in the middle of the item.

I go to a lot of gunshows where people are selling holsters. Even on plain holsters the big honking mark is right on the front.

I would never buy one. Leather holsters are expensive (relatively speaking). I am not going to pay a lot of money to advertise for the person selling it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. There is a nice spot on the backside of the holster where that could have gone and not distract from the holster itself. Now on smaller items like the spur straps you mention, I have no problem with a small mark on the buckle piece. On belts, up near the buckle look is a spot that is not gaudy. If fact, it might even be covered by a trophy buckle. The bottom line - I can see the need for brand recognition, and I can see that you will be proud of the item you made, but somewhere where it is a bit inconspictuous (sp?) is a good spot. Look at it this way: when you buy a nice table the maker didn't put his big gaudy mark on the table top did he? It is usually on the bottom, or it is in the drawer of furniture items. As a woodturner, the signature is always on the bottom of the bowl.

You see this in most crafts. That's my 2 cents, but at today's prices it's only worth half that much. cheers!

I totally agree. I would never build a motorcycle seat and place a makers mark on top. I'm pretty sure that no one would like to pay hundreds of $ to have a seat made, and tooled with their disign on it, and have it advertise someone elses buisness. It should be on the bottom IMO.

[MADMAX22]

I agree with everyone here in a way. I think on some items a well placed mark that fits the tooling is fine HOWEVER I prefer not to see the mark on the outside of something. Atleast anything I would buy. I think that anyone who sees a piece of leatherwork and likes it will instinctively look for a tag "aka makers mark" on the item and usually will look inside or on the back. It all depends on the item though so go with what you think will look the best.

[Double U Leather]

Good topic, and thanks for bringing it up. I've only recently purchased my first maker's mark (thanks to Jeff at Gray Ghost Graphics), but I have to agree with the general rule that has already been expressed. It's my opinion that a) the maker's mark should be very inconspicuous (sp) and most people will find it if they really like the item they're looking at. If someone buys something from me, and they really like the way it turned out, chances are they will look and study every inch of the piece. In their search, they will find my mark. I just recently finished a briefcase that I posted on here, and I placed my maker's mark at the bottom of the back panel. It fit in well the the Sheridan style corners and the "cross hatch" or grid type pattern on the back panel. And, sure enough, I took that briefcase to a rodeo, had several people look at it, and before they were finished they all were asking who Double u leather was. I smiled and told them that I was Double U Leather. Anyway, just my thoughts on the matter. Oh, and by the way, as was mentioned earlier, since I only have one size maker's mark at this point, the smaller items I make i.e. spurs straps and such, for now have to go unbranded.

[hidepounder]

I can completely understand how an individual who spent a lot of money on an item might not want to "advertise" for the maker. I have to tell you though, that a makers mark can often times ADD value to an item. I am frequently asked "Are you going to put your name on it?". I have been asked on many occasions to place my makers mark prominently on the front of the item I was making and have also been asked to provide a silver makers plate on the front of my piece, so go figure.

While at the High Noon Auction (One of the most prestigous western memorabilia events in the world) a black tooled and dyed briefcase came up for auction. It had been manufactured by Hollywood Classics and sported a silver makers plate right in the middle of the flap and was the focus of the decorations on the piece. It was twenty some years old and sold for $3,000 or $4,000 dollars BECAUSE of the makers plate. If you think about it, would you want a Bohlin saddle with an obscure makers stamp?

So to bring this back to the point of the topic, I think a makers mark must be applied in good taste and should enhance the appearance of the piece. If you are buying, be sure to express your preferences to the maker ahead of time. It is not reasonable to order a custom piece and then reject it because the artist signed it! I know, if I am asked to omit my makes mark (and I never am), I will endeavor to assist the customer in finding another maker. I think there are two points of view to consider here.

Just thinking out loud here.....

Bob

P.S. Rookie, why not put your mark on the back of the straps?

Edited July 23, 2009 by hidepounder

[maddhatter]

I don't have a makers mark yet still working on that, but i do use a tandy stamp that says handcrafted by and then you put your name in the slot, i know cheesy, but it works for me atm, and i put my stamp on the inside flap of the purse, wallet, coin purse or what ever item im making at the time, and i've had no complaints about it there most people say ( oh cool you put your mark on it) (shrug) i say if your proud of the item you've made then put your mark on it just put it where it looks good and is fitting to the item.

maddhatter

[HideShop]

How often would you go to an art gallery and find the artists signature on the back side ? The value of most art work is in the Maker although I agree with Bob the placement of your stamp on your work needs to be in good taste.

Just my 2cents

Richard

[outcast]

How often would you go to an art gallery and find the artists signature on the back side ? The value of most art work is in the Maker although I agree with Bob the placement of your stamp on your work needs to be in good taste.

Just my 2cents

Richard

I don't really consider a motorcycle seat a piece of art. It is a functional part of the motorcycle. If I did consider it art it would hang on the wall not under my ass. Either way, I still think that on a motorcycle seat it should not be placed on the top, unless a signature could be cleverly hidden in the tooling. But a big ol makers mark, IMO it should go on the bottom.