Fab-in-a-Box Stamps

Gather example materials:

Create an example stamp and have it cut out and assembled or have one actively cutting out while students walk in.

Welcome:

Greet the students and introduce the lesson topic: designing and fabricating custom stamps using CAD software and a laser cutter.

Briefly explain what CAD software is and its importance in design and manufacturing.

Show a few examples of custom stamps to spark interest and creativity.

Context:

From McDonalds’ golden arches to Nike’s signature swoosh, many of us can recognize hundreds of brands’ logos at a glance. This isn’t accidental: these symbols were designed to be iconic.

Color schemes, fonts, and other graphic elements can combine to influence our emotions and preferences. A well crafted logo can tell a story about a brand’s identity, values, and mission.

This activity extends beyond art and design to prepare learners for a future where they can apply these skills in myriad contexts, from entrepreneurship to digital media and beyond.

Color theory

Branding/marketing/evolution of logos

Key terms:

Shape: In design, a shape is a two-dimensional area that is defined by its boundaries, such as lines or curves. Shapes can be geometric (like squares and circles) or organic (like freeform or natural shapes). They are fundamental elements in creating visual compositions and can convey different emotions and messages.

Composition: Composition refers to the arrangement and organization of visual elements within a design. It involves the placement of shapes, colors, textures, and other elements to create a harmonious and effective visual presentation. Good composition guides the viewer’s eye and enhances the overall impact of the design.

Negative Space: Negative space, also known as white space, is the empty or open space around and between the elements of a design. It helps to balance the composition, create visual interest, and prevent the design from feeling cluttered. Effective use of negative space can enhance readability and focus attention on the main elements of the design.

Research (older audiences)

Discussion questions:

What eye-catching logos can you think of?

What do these symbolize to you? What makes these memorable?

What design elements can you identify? How do these combine to achieve impact?

Shape

Typography

Contrast

Composition

Ideate

Discussion questions:

Consider what makes you(r brand) unique.

What qualities or values do you hope to convey? Generate a list of words or phrases that describe you or your brand.

What design elements may help you achieve this?

Draw two different logo ideas. Make them unique! Maybe one uses letters and the other relies only on symbols; maybe one is simpler than the other.

What do you like and dislike about each logo?

How do you think they differ from each other in terms of how they might come across to an outside viewer?

Refine (optional):

Share your draft or design ideas with a friend.

What emotions or concepts does your logo evoke for others? Is your messaging coming across clearly?

How might you incorporate this feedback to enhance your design?

Design

Taking constructive feedback into account, redesign a final draft of your logo.

xDesign or by hand via worksheet

xDesign Steps

Click OPEN on the xDesign landing page

Click the “Minimize” icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Search results page

— the results will be repositioned to the right-hand side of your screen so you can see things alongside your xDesign session

[1] Type “Lesson5” in the Search field, [2] press Enter on the keyboard, then [3] click on the blue header bar (to dismiss the Search History panel)

— the Search results will update to show you the Rubber Stamp template

[1] Drag the rubber stamp template into your xDesign session and then [2] click “Cancel” in the lower right-hand corner of the Search results panel

Click SAVE AS… in the dialog that appears

[1] Type a new name for the component (perhaps add your initials) and then [2] click SAVE

Double-click the “Your Shape” sketch in the Design Manager

Press “N” on the keyboard to look normal to (straight at) the sketch

Drag a box around the Star shape to select it

Press “Delete” on the keyboard.

Click the “Text” command on the keyboard

Type your initials into the Text box 

Move your mouse around the screen and notice how the text follows.

Experiment with the font type, size, and more, moving your mouse around the sticker to make sure it’ll fit the way you want.

Click the “OK” checkmark at the top of the dialog

— Notice that the text appears at the origin

Drag any point on the text to reposition it to where you want

Click the “Accept Sketch” button to update your sticker

Click “Save” on the Action Bar to save your stamp

BONUS

Edit the “Your Shape” sketch again and add other shapes to it using the “Circle”, “Rectangle”, and other tools 

Convert Design to Digital

Relevant only for hand-drawn sketches: scan each logo, or take a photo (cell phone cameras work fine for this!) with the camera positioned directly above each design. Upload these to the work computers (separate from the control computer).

Prepare Image for Laser Cutting (XCS)

Open software:

Open xTool’s Creative Space (XCS software).

Import image:

Click on “image” in the upper lefthand corner to upload your design.

This works best with an SVG, but you can use any image you want, including jpg or png. Note: If your image is too large, select “yes, scale to fit on canvas.”

Crop out unneeded area:

Click “edit image.”

Click “crop” and select the area you want to keep. You can adjust the box once you place it for added precision. Click the green checkmark once finished.

Click “save.”

Convert to black-and-white:

If your image is already in black and white, skip this step. If your image is in color, we need need to make it black-and-white to make it easier to work with.

Select “black-and-white” from the bitmap image menu.

Adjust the sharpness as desired, and slide the “greyscale” slider all the way to the right (the maximum setting).

Reflect image:

Select your design and click “reflect” on the top menu. Choose “reflect horizontally.”

This ensures your finished stamp will print the right way. (Stamps create mirrored images of their faces when used. That means words and letters should appear backwards on the stamps themselves!)

Trace image:

Select your design. In the “bitmap image” menu, click the bottom button: “trace.”

Adjust the sliders until you’re satisfied. Then click “save.” It’s usually fine to use the preset settings here.

This creates an outline of your design on a new layer.

Ignore and hide the original image:

Under the “layer” menu, select Layer 1. This is your original image.

Click “ignore” under the “object setting” menu.

Turn off visibility for Layer 1.

You should only see your traced outline remaining.

Note: you could also delete this image or the layer it’s on, but this means you can’t go back and edit it later if desired.

Add a bounding box:

Options #1: Outline using a shape. Click “shape.” Under “basic shape,” select the shape you want for your stamp face. This can be any shape you want; however, to minimize the time it will take to engrave, we want to make it as tight as possible to the outline of your design.

Option #2: Draw your own outline. Select “vector” and draw lines to create a perimeter around your design, making sure your last point lands on your first.

Prep file for engraving:

Select everything (design and bounding box).

In the top menu, select “combine” -> “subtract at overlap.”

In the “Object setting” menu, select “engrave.”

Your image should now look white against a black background. Everything black will be engraved; everything white will stay raised.

Add cut perimeter: 

Select design.

In top menu, choose “outline.”

Set offset distance to -0.1 and click OK

In the right hand “object setting” menu, click “cut.”

Optional: you can now select everything, right click, and select “group” to keep your cut layer and design together.

Resize image: last step!

Use calipers to measure the face of your final stamp block.

Select your design. Enter the desired dimensions for your finished stamp in the text boxes under “size.” Note: There is a small, clickable lock icon between the W and H text boxes. To preserve your height-to-width ratio and avoid distorting your image, make sure this is locked. Conversely, to intentionally distort the image, click the icon to unlock it.

All done! You’re ready to cut! Don’t forget to save your file for future use.

Laser Cut Rubber Stamp Face

Turn on the laser cutter and connect it to your computer via USB.

Open xTool’s XCS software (download here).

Select “connect device” in the upper righthand corner..

Choose your laser cutter from the pop-up menu.

Import design files (if prepared in anything other than XCS, or if teacher prepping for laser cutting):

Click the file folder icon in the upper lefthand corner. From the dropdown menu, select “import image.” Choose your file.

Select the circular handle to rotate your design as needed to fit onto your stock.

Note: do not resize within XCS! Remember: your design is parametric, and the slots are perfectly calibrated for the width of your stock material. If you resize outside of your CAD environment, the slots will also change.

Configure cut settings (if prepared in anything other than XCS, or if teacher prepping for laser cutting):

For laser-friendly stamp rubber, select “laser engraved rubber mat” from the dropdown menu.

Note: the machine will automatically score and engrave before it cuts, and cut inside elements before outside elements.

Prepare laser cutter:

Open laser cutter lid and place stock onto honeycomb.

Manually drag laser head over center of stock.

Close lid.

Click “auto focus” and wait for machine to focus.

Open lid. Manually drag laser head to top left corner of desired cutting area.

To check framing, click “framing” in XCS and then press the button on the machine. The laser head will frame the area to be cut. If it does not fit on the stock or overlaps a previous cut, adjust the starting position as needed.

Run the job:

Click “process” in XCS, followed by the button on the machine.

Remove pieces:

Check to make sure all pieces cut through, and rerun (adjusting settings as necessary) if not.

Remove workpieces and scrap stock from machine bed.

Close lid.

Post-Process Rubber Pieces

Use a damp cloth, sponge, or toothbrush to gently rub away any excess rubber crumbs.

Assemble

If you’re using wooden blocks for your stamp handles, you can stamp the top as a label before gluing the rubber in place.

Glue your rubber stamp to the bottom of your block. Wait for the glue to dry, and you’re ready to go!

Optional: Vinyl Cut Label for Handle

You can use the same SVG file from laser cutting to create a vinyl sticker of your design!

Prepare the machine:

To turn the machine on, long-press the power button on its right side for 2-3 seconds.

Open the machine’s hood.

On the tool carriage, pull the locking mechanism completely out.

Place the autoblade into the tool slot, and make sure it is fully inserted.

Push the locking mechanism back into place.

Prepare the cardstock:

Use a light hold cutting mat (or one where most of its “sticky” has worn off.”

Position your cardstock on the paper.

Load prepared cutting mat into the machine.

Configure cut settings:

In the silhouette software, turn on “line segment overcut.”

Run job:

Click “send.”

Remove your pieces:

Don’t peel the paper off the cutting mat! Instead, turn the whole thing upside down and peel the cutting mat off the paper instead.

Optional: 3D Print Cap

Load filament (skip this step if already loaded):

Hang filament spool on holder on back of machine so that filament should unwinds clockwise.

Insert filament into the PTFE tupe on the top back side of the machine.

On the machine’s screen, select nozzle → – → bed heat, and head the nozzle to the recommended temperature for the filament (for PLA).

Wait for the nozzle to heat up.

On the machine’s screen, select nozzle → E → downward arrow several times until the filament comes out of the nozzle.

Load file:

Select the file icon and select your file to start the print.

Test and Evaluate

For older audiences w/ logos only: Stamp your mark onto the worksheet. Try out several different colors of ink. How does the ink color affect how your logo comes across?

Pair and share with someone new.

What ideas or emotions does your partner’s logo evoke?

Discussion Questions:

Reflection questions:

How might you use this logo and your brand identity to develop brand recognition? What kinds of marketing might you do?

Ethics questions:

Discuss ethical considerations in branding and logo design, such as cultural appropriation, and misrepresentation.

How does corporate branding influence people’s societal values?

Extensions and tie-ins:

Global Connections: Explore the impact of globalization on branding and logo design, including how brands adapt their logos and messages for different cultural and linguistic audiences.

Civics/Policy: Analyze the role of trademarks and copyright laws in protecting brands and logos, and how these legal tools affect the use and distribution of symbols.

Time, Continuity, and Change: Explore the development and evolution of brands and logos over time, understanding how historical events, societal changes, and technological advancements influence branding strategies.

Career Connections:

Graphic Design: Graphic designers use CAD software to create visually appealing and precise designs. The skills learned in this lesson can be applied to various projects, from branding and logo creation to print and digital media, enhancing their ability to produce professional-quality work.

Product Design: Product designers often use CAD software to develop and prototype new products. Understanding the laser cutting process allows them to create detailed models and components, facilitating the transition from concept to physical product. This experience is invaluable for designing innovative and functional items.

Marketing: In marketing, the ability to design custom stamps can be a valuable skill for creating unique promotional materials and branding elements. Custom stamps can be used to add a personal touch to marketing campaigns, packaging, and direct mail, helping to engage customers and enhance brand identity.

These career connections highlight the versatility and applicability of the skills learned in this lesson, showing how they can be valuable in various professional fields.