Makers Mark Suggestions

[AODfan]

I have been trying to come up with a mark and wanted it be a little unique. I have Googled and found some that are interesting, but I can't really think of much for me. The only thing I could really think of was my first two initials and last name. Attached is a pic of what I have come with with so far. Please let me know what you think.

[ENC]

I like the JA(reversed)J with an oval around it. It looks like a brand.

[BAD HIDE]

Definitely the block letter JAJ. Also try making the A smaller than the J's, as your first and last name presumably are more important than the middle.

[AODfan]

Ok, here are some more marks along the lines you were talking about that I made up real quick.

[AODfan]

Ok, I think I may have a finalized design. What do you guys think?

[BAD HIDE]

I think you got it. Looks damn good to me.

[Greg528it]

Like.

[BDAZ]

I think you are confusing a makers mark with a cattle brand.

What is the function of a makers mark??!! IMHO the mark in markers mark is marketing. I never know where our products will end up and who may see them. So my criterion for a mark is first the company name, then I include made in Arizona, USA because that adds cachet when selling overseas. Then I include my web site so the future looyloos or retail customers will be able to find our website and hopefully, order more product.

May not be cute but why else have a makers mark if no one can find you unless it's an ego thing????

Cya!

Bob

Edited July 2, 2014 by BDAZ

[camano ridge]

I am afraid I have to agree with BDAZ. If I were to look at that mark on an item it would tell me nothing. You would know who made it but know one else would. THe makers mark shouldbe just that who made it. Initials are not going to tell anyone that. If the name of the business is JAJ custom leather then your makers mark should say that if it is J.A. Johnson Leahter then that is what your makers mark should say. When you read the makers mark there should be know question as to who made it.

[AODfan]

So would you suggest I change my last mark to have an arced "J.A.Johnson" at the top and "Leathers" or "Leathers, Tulsa, OK" at the bottom, still having the logo in the middle?

[BDAZ]

Yup! Exactly. Again, having your web site address is a great plus. Phone numbers change faster than web addresses which are cheap. If you don't have one go to the many inexpensive services like Go Daddy and get a web site and put up a page with a phone number and e-mail contact.

If it were me I'd have it say Johnson Leathers at the top and Tulsa, OK USA in the middle and www.jJAJleather.com (available) on the bottom.

In fact, while I was writing this I received an order through my web site from someone that had seen one of my products and wanted one.

Cya!

Bob

[AODfan]

Yup! Exactly. Again, having your web site address is a great plus. Phone numbers change faster than web addresses which are cheap. If you don't have one go to the many inexpensive services like Go Daddy and get a web site and put up a page with a phone number and e-mail contact.

If it were me I'd have it say Johnson Leathers at the top and Tulsa, OK USA in the middle and www.jJAJleather.com (available) on the bottom.

In fact, while I was writing this I received an order through my web site from someone that had seen one of my products and wanted one.

Cya!

Bob

Thanks for the insight Bob. The only reason I am not wanting to go with Johnson, with as a simple name as Johnson, there are already companies out there with "Johnson Leather" as their name. I would rather avoid any legal issues from the start, if you know what I mean.

[BDAZ]

No legal issues if your name is Johnson. If you and your brother were in business you could call yourself Johnson and Johnson heh heh. No problem but it is easier to remember a simple short name and easier to fit a short web address on a stamp.

Again, IMHO J.Johnson is slightly better than J.A. Johnson. That web site should read JAJLeather.com. JJleather.com is also a good one, such a good one that it's take..

Cya!

Bob

[camano ridge]

If there is no J. Johnson Leather or J.A. Johnson leather there won't be any legal issues. Do you have your business license yet, if so when you got the business license did you register a trade name, if not register your trade name. They will tell you if it has already been taken.

[BDAZ]

Sorry, I believe you are wrong. Regardless of any other registrations, he is allowed to use his own name for the business.I worked for a computer company co owned by a woman with the name of Ferrari. We used Italian Racing Red as our corporate colors and were in the same town as the local Ferrari dealership. Every now and then a cab load of Italians would show up on our doorstep. There was nothing they could do. Of course we were Ferrari Computers not ferrari Motors.

What do you mean by taken? Taken locally, state wide taken nationally?

There is a Johnson Leathers in San Francisco http://www.johnsonleather.com/ BUT no trademark for Johnson Leathers. I would not worry in the least about it. They specialize in motorcycle leathers for police.

Cya!

Bob

[HippieLee]

Why couldn't the maker's mark include both the logo and the info? I mean, I know it may not happen for a while, if ever, but isn't a goal to be recognizable by just your logo? The way you do that is simple, effective logo with the spelled-out info around it or incorporated into it. If the logo happens to be cattle brand looking thing I think that says "leather" to people especially when they see the logo AND the JAJohnson leather below it or around it or however...

I'm asking because I have been struggling to figure out what I even want to call myself business-wise and a lot of what I decide on may hinge on how cool I can make the logo. Or if I even want to be a business - I love working with leather but it may never be more than just a hobby I spend a lot on lol. BUt I still want a makers mark and I want the people who DO get a piece I make (Whether I sold it or just made it for them) to be able to show it to others and say (hopefully with pride) "See here? This was made by Hippie Lee"

[BDAZ]

The only issue is that what looks great in Photoshop may not be legible in leather. I would suggest 2 stamps, one with the information that is on the back somewhere or at the least visible part, and the logo can be prominent and essentially part of the design. I don't have a logo for my company or I would have gone that route BUT I have had stamps made of the logos of some of my customers. That logo is displayed prominently while my makers mark is at the back and not immediately visible,

Cya!

Bob

[camano ridge]

In Washington State when you get a State business liscense you are ask if you wish to register a trade name if you try to register one that has been registered by some one else they will not accept it. If it is accepted your trade name is protected in the state, at federal level you would need to register it as a trade mark. We just had an incident localy (you can find it on the internet) where Absolut forced a local Hairstylist to change their business name of Absolut Hair Salon to something else. Absolut trade marked the word Absolut and all alternative spellings so that suposedly it can not be used as part of another business name. Not saying he would have a problem just that it is possible.

Edited July 3, 2014 by camano ridge

[BDAZ]

However, had the owner's name been Mary Absolut, the vodka folks would have to suck wind..Even in Washington.

Cya!

Bob

[camano ridge]

Again not disagreeing with you, just saying someone can still cause a problem they can send anoying cease and desist letters or even file a frivolus law suit with the hope that he would not take the time or money to fight it. The bigger issue to consider would be the commonality of the name. If there are other Johnson Leathers I would think it would be better to have something to try to set your self apart from the others to limit confusion and misidentification by customers. However now we have realy side tracked his original post.

[Greg528it]

I like the cattle brand.. I think the name so one can google it. I would NOT buy something in leather or other NICE product if it's all text with email, web address.. To be big enough to be read when stamped into leather, a www.bobsleather.com is going to be long.

I would NOT buy a holster or other leather product where the makers mark is on the front readily seen. I would not and did not buy an El Paso saddlery holster just cause of that. Well that and I now make my own. Brands and stamps should be subtle and not front and center.

and lastly nowhere anywhere should your makers mark say MAKER on it. If they don't know you made it by signing / stamping it, well never mind.

All above are my opinions.

[HippieLee]

I definitely agree any branding/logo/mark etc... should be hidden inside or on the back and discrete. That's why I'm having a heard time figuring out what I would want to call myself...all the names I've thought of would just be too much to put on the piece but the logo for them would make a good mark (I think at least - still need to try some out lol).

Perhaps this is a good place to invest in some quality inkjet photo heavy cardstock and make some little tags with the info and the logo and just put the mark on the piece somewhere hidden. Maybe attach the tag with a nice bit of chain or leather braid if you got minions to do some braiding for you (for you folks who produce a lot. lol - I have maybe 5 things done since I started and 3 more in process so I reckon I got time to learn and braid.)

(this is NOT counting the mountainous piles of scrap I have from just testing different stamping and tooling and dying effects).