DIMENSIONED ARTWORK
Badge Artwork + Mounting Dimensions
Overall dimensions, artwork, mounting locations, and color references establish the basic part requirements.
Enough to begin quoting
Technical Resources
Design Drawing Requirements
Where the production standard begins.
Define the dimensions, tolerances, artwork, materials, finishes, and construction details required before tooling and production begin.
Start Where You Are
What You Can Send Us
You do not need a finished engineering drawing to begin. Each input below moves you further before sampling, and even the lightest one starts the conversation. What you provide determines how many questions come back.
01
A Complete Dimensioned Drawing
Overall dimensions with tolerances, material, finish, colors, attachment, and a revision block. The complete reference.
→Fastest path to an accurate quote and first article sample
02
A Dimensioned Sketch or Annotated Photo
A hand sketch, CAD sketch, or photo showing the measurements that define fit and appearance.
→Fewer measurement questions before review
03
A Physical Reference Sample
An existing part we can measure and document when no drawing exists or the geometry is difficult to define.
→A measured, documented match target on file
04
A Reference Image With Known Dimensions
A photo of a similar part plus overall size and any known constraints. The lightest start, enough to scope, not to build.
→A directional quote and a drawing built with you
REAL PROJECT INPUTS
What We Can Quote From
Many projects begin with a straightforward dimensioned artwork file rather than a fully developed engineering drawing. If the part size, artwork, colors, construction intent, and other critical requirements are clear enough to define the component, we can begin from there.
ARTWORK + COLOR REFERENCE
Dimensions + Color Specification
Defines the finished size, hole locations, artwork, Pantone references, and intended appearance while showing a physical finish reference.
Enough to define the initial specification
CONSTRUCTION REFERENCE
Geometry + Thickness
Adds overall dimensions, side profile, thickness, adhesive, relief height, and color references where the component’s physical construction also needs to be defined.
Enough to start the conversation
THE IMPORTANT PART
These examples represent typical starting information, not a drawing standard you are required to meet. Later on this page, we show examples of fully developed production drawings more commonly provided on established OEM programs or developed as the specification is finalized.
THE MASTER REFERENCE
Anatomy of a Complete Drawing
The exact requirements differ between a badge, nameplate, faceplate, overlay, and functional component. Most projects do not need every item below. Start with what you have. Each applicable detail defined on the drawing or in a controlled reference file reduces assumptions, follow up questions, and revision cycles, helping us quote, prepare the drawing, and move toward an approved sample faster.
Geometry
Overall Dimensions
Fixes the part envelope before tooling or production setup begins.
Length, width, and thickness of the finished part.
Views & Cross Sections
Reveals relief, recesses, thickness changes, and backside features a flat view cannot show.
Front, rear, side, section, and detail views wherever one view cannot fully define the part.
Units, Tolerances & Critical Dimensions
Defines what production and inspection must hold without over specifying features that are not critical.
Units, scale, general tolerances, critical dimensions, and GD&T where fit, alignment, or feature relationships require it.
Datum References
Keeps holes and features positioned to the same origin as the receiving part.
The edge or point every dimension is measured from.
Corner and Edge Treatment
Determines fit into a recess and how the part feels in hand.
Radii, chamfers, deburring, and how edges are finished.
Material & Finish
Material & Thickness
Determines durability, weight, cost, and compatible production processes.
Material type and thickness or gauge, such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, polycarbonate, or polyester.
Surface Finish
Sets appearance and how the surface holds up to handling and environment.
Finish, texture, gloss, grain direction, and which surfaces receive each treatment.
Protective Layer
Determines whether graphics survive abrasion, chemicals, and UV in service.
Clear coat, hardcoat, overlaminate, protective film, or no protective layer, based on the exposure the part must withstand.
Graphics & Color
Vector Artwork
Keeps logos and line work crisp at the required size without raster pixelation.
Logos, rules, and line work as scalable vector, with fonts outlined.
Artwork Placement & Orientation
Prevents correct artwork from being reproduced in the wrong position or orientation.
Artwork size, position, orientation, safe areas, finish boundaries, and alignment to physical features.
Color Callouts
Defines the intended color standard instead of leaving color selection to interpretation.
Pantone numbers for spot color, CMYK for full color, metallic or foil where used.
Text and Part Marking
Builds traceability into the part instead of adding it after the fact.
Serial fields, part numbers, date codes, and where variable data sits.
PRODUCTION & CONTROL
Production & Control Details
Once the part itself is defined, attachment requirements and drawing controls establish how it installs, how revisions are managed, and which references govern production, inspection, and future reorders.
Attachment & Installation
Attachment Method
Defines the rear construction and mounting method before the sample is built.
Adhesive, studs, screws, tabs, clips, or a specified panel opening.
Hole and Feature Locations
Determines whether the part lines up with the surface it mounts to.
Diameter, position, and tolerance of every hole, slot, stud, and cutout.
Mounting Surface Requirements
Confirms the attachment method will actually hold in the real installation.
The substrate, surface energy, texture, or curvature the part installs onto.
Drawing Control
Title Block & Drawing Identification
Ensures quoting, sampling, production, inspection, and reorders all use the same controlled document.
Part name, customer part number, drawing number, units, scale, revision, date, sheet number, and approval status.
Revision Block
Makes the approved version unambiguous when a reorder lands a year later.
Revision letter or number, date, and what changed.
Referenced Standards & Approval Records
Connects the drawing to the exact references production and inspection must follow.
Referenced artwork, 3D files, color standards, finish samples, approved first article samples, and any critical inspection requirements.
Getting the Numbers Right
Dimensioning & Tolerances
Dimensions tell us what to make. Tolerances tell us how much variation the finished part can accept. Show the overall size, locate critical features, and define any raised, recessed, or formed details. Apply tighter tolerances only where fit, alignment, or function requires them. Unnecessary precision adds cost and inspection without improving the part.
Define the Finished Component
Show the Finished Size
Give the completed part’s overall length, width, and thickness. Do not provide only the dimensions of the logo or artwork.
Locate Features From One Common Reference
Measure holes, studs, cutouts, and artwork from the same edge, centerline, or datum. This prevents small measurement errors from accumulating across the part.
Show Features a Front View Cannot Explain
Add side, section, or detail views for raised areas, recesses, bends, rolled edges, and thickness changes.
Define the Acceptable Variation
Set a General Tolerance
State how much dimensions may vary unless a different tolerance is called out. This gives production and inspection one clear standard for the rest of the drawing.
Tighten Only Dimensions That Affect Fit or Function
Use tighter tolerances for mounting points, mating edges, clearances, and other features that must align or operate correctly. Unnecessary precision adds cost without improving the part.
Add Geometric Controls Only When Required
Specify flatness, position, parallelism, or other GD&T controls only when the application depends on them. Most parts need only a general tolerance and clearly located features.
How Process Selection Affects Tolerances
Different manufacturing processes control different features. Achievable tolerances depend on the material, part size, geometry, tooling, and the specific feature being evaluated. The table below shows what each process controls and what influences the result.
| Process | What is controlled | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical or Photo Etching | Finished profile, holes, slots, etched depth, and feature dimensions | Material type, thickness, feature size, etch factor, and profile geometry |
| Electroforming | Finished profile, aperture size, wall geometry, deposited thickness, and replicated surface detail | Electroforming method, resist geometry, plating growth, material thickness, mandrel quality, and feature size |
| Die Casting | Finished dimensions, boss and stud locations, wall thickness, flatness, draft, and parting-line conditions | Alloy, part size, shrinkage, wall geometry, die construction, cooling, and secondary operations |
| Injection Molding | Finished dimensions, wall thickness, feature locations, draft, and surface detail | Resin, part size, shrinkage, mold design, gate and cooling layout, and geometry |
| Forging or Coining | Finished outline, relief height, thickness, edge definition, flatness, and feature location | Alloy, blank thickness, material flow, relief geometry, die condition, trimming, and springback |
| Stamping or Forming | Blank outline, hole locations, bend angles, formed profile, and registration to printed details | Material type, thickness, tooling, draw depth, geometry, springback, and fixturing |
| CNC Machining | Feature dimensions, depth, hole and pocket positions, edge finish, and flatness | Tooling, fixturing, material, geometry, and secondary finishing |
Numerical tolerances are established during drawing review based on the material, process, geometry, part size, and features critical to the application. The approved drawing governs production and inspection.
TOLERANCE IN PRACTICE
How Tolerances Show Up on a Drawing
A few common examples show how dimensions, datums, relief, thickness, and edge geometry are controlled on a production drawing.
01 · FEATURE LOCATION
Position Controlled From a Datum Reference Frame
02 · RELIEF & THICKNESS
Relief and Material Thickness Defined Separately
03 · EDGE & FIT
Critical Geometry Defined Where Fit Depends on It
Specifying Color
Set the Color Standard. Remove the Guesswork.
Specify color with a defined reference, not a description. Use a Pantone color code for spot colors, CMYK values for full-color printing, or an approved sample or color drawdown when color matching is critical. Because color can vary by material and process, the approved reference governs production and reorders. For branded badges, nameplates, overlays, and faceplates, the approved color standard can be as important as the dimensions.
Spot color
Provide a Pantone Reference
For a specific brand color, provide the applicable Pantone number or an approved physical sample. Spot colors are mixed separately and are generally the better choice when a particular color must remain controlled across repeat orders.
Full color
Supply Final CMYK Artwork
For photographs, gradients, and multicolor graphics, provide the final CMYK artwork and any required color profile. Identify any critical brand colors that should be produced or approved separately as spot colors.
And account for
Metallics and foil
CMYK cannot create a true metallic finish. Specify metallic ink, foil, plating, anodizing, metal finish, or an approved sample.
The substrate shows through
Color can look different on aluminum, chrome, plastic, or clear film. Identify the substrate and whether a white base is required.
Color varies by process
Printing, paint, plating, and anodizing reproduce color differently. Approve color using the intended material and process.
Give a reference, not an adjective
Replace “bright gold” or “deep navy” with a Pantone number, approved sample, previous part, or signed drawdown.
When color is critical, the approved physical sample or signed color drawdown becomes the production reference. Numerical color tolerances can be established when the selected material and process support reliable measurement.
What to Send
Send the Right File. Skip the Rebuild.
Send artwork as vector, geometry as CAD, and photos as reference only. A logo sent as a small image has to be redrawn before it can be produced, which adds a round of work you pay for in time.
Artwork
AI, EPS, PDF (vector), SVG, DXF
Logos, text, and line work as scalable vector, with fonts converted to outlines. Reproduces crisp at any size and drops straight into production.
Geometry
STEP, IGES, native CAD, DWG, DXF
For part form and flat outlines, send CAD. It carries true dimensions, feature positions, holes, and cut paths that a picture cannot.
Reference
PNG, JPG, TIFF at final size
A photo shows intent and helps us understand the part. It is never used for final line art. Send it high resolution at the part's finished size.
Keep in mind
Only have a JPG or PNG?
We can still help. A raster logo can be redrawn as vector before production, which adds a step but does not stop the project.
Outline your fonts
Convert text to curves, or supply the font file. Outlined type renders identically on our end without the font installed.
A vector PDF is fine to review
Just confirm the artwork inside is still vector, not a flattened image. When unsure, send the native file alongside it and we will confirm what is usable before quoting.
FULL PRODUCTION DRAWING EXAMPLE
What a Fully Developed OEM Drawing Can Look Like
This is an example of the level of detail often provided on established OEM programs after the part and specification are fully developed. It can include dimensions, materials, finishes, attachment details, tolerances, inspection requirements, and revision control.
You do not need a drawing like this to request a quote. We can begin with whatever information you have. A logo, basic dimensions, an existing part, a photo, a rough sketch, or even a drawing on a napkin.
CONTROLLED PRODUCTION REFERENCE
A developed production drawing becomes the controlled document used to carry the approved specification through production, inspection, revision control, and future reorders.
START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Detailed production documentation is developed as the specification is finalized. At the quoting stage, the important thing is giving us enough information to understand the part, intended appearance, approximate size, construction, and application. We can help define the remaining production details from there.
WHAT COSTS A CYCLE
Common Drawing Problems
Most drawing delays begin with one unresolved detail. Each issue below creates a question that must be answered before quoting, sampling, or production can move forward.
Missing tolerances
Add a general tolerance note and identify dimensions that control fit or function.
No datum reference
Reference critical positions from a defined datum, edge, or centerline.
Raster artwork
Supply vector artwork with fonts converted to outlines.
Color described in words
Provide a Pantone reference for spot color or CMYK values for full-color artwork.
Critical dimensions not flagged
Identify the dimensions that control fit, mounting, alignment, or function.
No attachment callout
State the mounting method and provide the required hole, stud, or adhesive details.
Fonts left as live text
Convert type to outlines, or provide the font file when needed for artwork preparation.
No revision block
Add a revision identifier, date, and concise note describing what changed.
THE IMPORTANT PART
A clear drawing does not need unnecessary detail. It needs the information that controls appearance, fit, attachment, inspection, and repeat production.
BEFORE YOU SEND
The Complete Drawing Checklist
You will rarely have every line. Send what you have. This is the target, not a gate.
ENOUGH TO QUOTE
- Overall dimensions with thickness
- Material and gauge
- Pantone or CMYK colors
- Attachment method
- Quantity and target date
- The application it serves
SHARPENS THE SPEC
- General tolerance note
- Critical dimensions flagged
- Datum reference edge
- Surface finish
- Protective layer and exposure
- Artwork as vector, fonts outlined
- Text and variable-data fields
- Hole and feature positions
- Process-specific details
- Units labeled
- Revision block
- Reference sample, if any
DRAWING QUESTIONS
Questions Buyers Ask
From incomplete drawings to revisions and first article approval, these are the questions that most often come up before a production specification is finalized.
Do I need a finished drawing to request a quote?
No. A complete production drawing is not required to begin. Dimensions, a sketch, existing CAD, a physical reference sample, or suitable reference images may provide enough information for us to start reviewing the part.
What is a production drawing?
A production drawing is the controlled specification for the finished component. It records the dimensions, construction, material, finish, graphics, attachment, tolerances, and other requirements used to produce and inspect the part.
Can you create the production drawing for us?
Yes. When a complete drawing is not available, we can develop or complete the production drawing from the information provided, including sketches, CAD files, dimensions, photographs, or a physical reference sample.
What does drawing development cost?
Drawing development is quoted based on what must be recreated, documented, or developed for the specific part. Any applicable drawing or development cost is identified before that work begins.
When is the production drawing finalized?
The drawing is developed and refined during the project until the required dimensions, construction, materials, finish, artwork, attachment, and other specifications are defined. The applicable revision is approved before the related sampling or production stage proceeds.
What happens if the drawing changes after approval?
The change is documented as a new revision so the current specification remains clear. Depending on what changes, the revision may affect tooling, first article sampling, production cost, or lead time.
Does drawing approval also approve the physical sample?
Not necessarily. Drawing approval confirms the documented specification. When first article sampling is part of the project, the physical sample is reviewed separately before the full production run is released.
Which drawing revision controls future reorders?
The latest approved revision retained for the part becomes the reference for future production and inspection. Approved changes are carried forward deliberately rather than relying on prior email threads or memory.
ACROSS OUR PRODUCT RANGE
Different Components. The Same Drawing Discipline.
The required details vary by part, but the same principle applies: define the component clearly enough to quote, sample, inspect, and reorder.
BadgesBrand emblems and identity marks for products and equipment.
TagsSerialized asset, rating, and inventory tags.
LabelsPrinted and metal labels for compliance and branding.
Industrial NameplatesDurable data and rating plates for machinery.
Decorative TrimFinish trim and accent pieces that dress a product.
Functional ComponentsWorking metal parts: shims, spacers, contacts.
Graphic OverlaysPrinted membrane overlays for panels and controls.
Control Panels & FaceplatesFinished panel faces with cutouts and graphics.
NEXT STEP
Ready To Discuss Your Application?
The required details vary by part. A badge, nameplate, faceplate, overlay, or functional component may call for a different drawing, but the same principle applies: define it clearly enough to quote, sample, inspect, and reorder.
Request A Quote
Drawings, specifications, and reference samples welcome.