Send the clearest file you have
The best starting point is a file that shows the artwork exactly as you want it cut or engraved. If you have a logo or monogram, send the original file rather than a photo of it on a card, wall or website. Vector files are ideal because they keep edges sharp at any size, but a high resolution image can also work for simpler pieces.
If your file is small, blurry or saved from a social media post, we may need to redraw parts of it before production. That is normal, especially for finer text and thin detail. For wooden signs and layered pieces, clean artwork helps us keep small spaces open and the final cut neat, even on detailed jobs where the letters are only a few centimetres high.
Check names, spelling and capital letters
Names and wording are often the part that needs the most care. Please check spelling, punctuation, accents and order before you approve anything. This is important for wedding signs, home name plaques, business displays and gift items. Once a piece has been cut or engraved, correcting a spelling error means starting again.
- Use the exact names and surnames you want shown
- Confirm titles, dates and event wording before approval
- Check if you want full capitals, sentence case or a mix
- Tell us about any special spelling, hyphens or local names
When ordering from Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Cape Town or elsewhere in the Western Cape, it helps to send the wording in one typed message rather than as several photos or voice notes. That keeps the wording tidy and avoids mix ups when we prepare your proof.
Logos and branding need simple, strong shapes
For corporate orders, shop signage and interior branding pieces, logos work best when the main shapes are clear and not overloaded with tiny detail. Very thin lines, small sub text and shaded effects can disappear in wood, especially on smaller formats. If your logo has several parts, we may suggest a simplified version for cutting or engraving so the final piece remains readable.
It also helps to tell us where the artwork will be used. A reception sign for a Cape Town office may need a different finish from a craft market display in Paarl or a shop front in Gordon's Bay. Coastal humidity, direct sun and handling can all affect the best choice of thickness and finish, so the same logo does not always suit every application.
Reference images that actually help
Reference images are useful when they show the style you like, the size you need and the kind of finish you expect. A good reference can be a photo of a sign shape, a font style, a colour stain or a layout idea. What helps less is sending many unrelated pictures without saying which part you want to copy. One clear example is better than ten vague ones.
- Send one or two images that show the look you want
- Tell us what you like about each image, such as shape, spacing or size
- Point out any parts you do not want copied
- Include a photo of the place where the item will be installed if possible
For wedding decor, it helps to include table size, venue notes and whether the piece must stand on its own or hang. For shop signage, give us wall measurements, mounting details and any municipal or landlord rules that may affect size or placement.
Tell us the size, material and finish you need
The more practical details you share, the easier it is to prepare the artwork correctly. Please include measurements in millimetres or metres, the intended location and whether the item is for indoor or outdoor use. A welcome sign for a home in Hermanus will not need the same treatment as a board outside a busy shop in Durbanville.
Wood type, thickness and finish matter too. Thin pieces suit light decor and gift tags, while larger layered signs need enough strength to stay flat. If the item will face strong sun, salty air or frequent cleaning, we can guide you on how to keep the artwork simple and the finish easier to maintain. For outdoor pieces, avoid very fine parts that may warp or break over time.
Approval is simpler when everything is in one place
Before we begin production, we aim to confirm the wording, layout and key artwork details with you. Once that information is complete, we move from design to cutting and finishing. This is especially helpful for bulk order production, event sign sets and corporate packs with multiple names or repeated items.
- Send artwork, wording and measurements together
- Say whether you want design options or only one layout
- Confirm the deadline and where the order must be delivered
- Let us know if the piece must be assembled, packed flat or courier safe
If you are arranging delivery to Stellenbosch, Strand, Paarl or nationwide by courier, please make sure the final approval is done early enough for production and packing. A late wording change can affect cutting order, finishing time and dispatch.
What to expect if we need to adjust your artwork
Sometimes a file needs a few changes before it is ready for cutting or engraving. That may include spacing the letters better, thickening a line, cleaning up a logo edge or changing the scale so the piece cuts properly. These adjustments are part of normal production and help avoid problems later, such as weak joins or unreadable text.
We will always flag anything that may affect the final result, such as very small lettering, crowded artwork or shapes that are too thin for wood. In those cases we may suggest a slightly larger size, a simpler layout or a different finish. It saves time and gives you a cleaner result in the end, no fuss.
