Overview
Welcome to the comprehensive guide on designing Custom Steel Wall Decor with My Easy Monogram. This help article is designed to walk you through the entire process of creating stunning, personalized metal signs using our innovative Design Studio. Our metal signs are crafted from premium 16 gauge steel and are available in a variety of sizes and five vibrant powder coat finishes. This ensures that each piece is not only durable but also uniquely tailored to your customers' tastes.
On this page
Artwork Guidelines
Line Thickness and Simplicity
Enhancing Visibility with Design Adjustments
Structural Integrity and Design Precautions
How to Group Layers
Differentiating Between Positive and Negative Text
Placement and Overlapping
Locked Elements
Curved Text
Text Validation
Downloading Variant Images
By following this guide, you will be equipped with all the knowledge and tools needed to create unique, high-quality custom metal signs that will captivate and delight your customers. Explore the detailed sections to maximize the potential of our Design Studio and bring your creative visions to life with My Easy Monogram.
Creating Custom Products with MEM Design Studio
Introduction
Introducing Custom Steel Wall Decor, the latest addition to My Easy Monogram's product lineup! Crafted from premium 16 gauge steel and available in five vibrant powder coat finishes, these metal signs are designed to impress. Our cutting-edge Design Studio allows you to create bespoke designs, offering your customers full control over every aspect of their metal sign. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter signage and hello to unique, personalized pieces that truly reflect individual style. Explore the endless possibilities with our Custom Steel Wall Decor and transform the way you connect with your customers.
Material: 16 Gauge Steel
Color Options: Black, White, Copper, Silver, Gold
Sizes: 36″, 30″, 24″, 18″, 15″, 12″ (Please note that the actual size of the signs is approximately 1/2 inch smaller than the listed variant sizes. For reference, 36″= roughly 35.5", 30″= roughly 28", 24″= roughly 23.5", 18″= roughly 17.5", 15″= roughly 14.5", and 12″= roughly 11.5". Size is determined by the sign's maximum height or width, depending on orientation.)
Customization: Full control over design elements, including text and font uploads
Pricing (Shipping Included):
Size | Price |
12″ | $27.00 |
15″ | $34.00 |
18″ | $42.00 |
24″ | $60.00 |
30″ | $82.00 |
36″ | $120.00 |
Note: Pricing is for the United States only.
Creating and uploading artwork for metal signs differs from other products. Review this guide to navigate the design process effectively and ensure a smooth creative journey.
Utilizing the Design Studio Template
When designing custom metal signs, follow these guidelines to ensure the best results:
1. Canvas Size and Resolution:
Recommended Artboard Size:
Start with a 12" x 12" artboard at a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.This size is ideal because it matches the smallest size variant offered by MEM, minimizing the risk of issues when scaling designs up to larger sizes.
Smaller designs increase the chance of errors since the image will automatically scale up based on the selected size variant.
Alternatively, a 1000x1000 pixel artboard can also be used.
Why 12" x 12"?
It's often the easiest way, especially for beginners, to verify accuracy and ensure the design meets MEM requirements.
Balances load speed and cut quality, optimizing both the preview experience and the final product.
Note: Larger image sizes may slow down load times, potentially affecting customer experience.
2. File Formats:
Acceptable file formats are PNG and JPEG.
3. Considerations for Larger Images:
Larger images (e.g., 15,000x20,000 pixels at 300 DPI) can:
Significantly slow down loading times.
Lead to higher bounce rates and fewer sales.
Resolution Tip:
While any resolution can be uploaded, 1px = 0.012" generally works well for most designs, balancing quality and performance.
4. Uploading Your Design:
Steps:
Upload your design to the My Easy Monogram Design Studio.
Center and resize it within the template.
Note: The system will automatically adjust the artwork to fit the selected sizes upon order.
5. Designing for Exact Specifications:
Design Software:
For custom designs that require specific dimensions, use design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop before uploading to the MEM Design Studio.
Adjust Your Design:
Keep in mind that the final product size may differ slightly from the specified dimensions, so adjust your design accordingly to ensure it fits your needs.
Sign Size Limitations:
Sign sizes can only be made to the variant options provided by MEM. The maximum dimension will match the variant specification (e.g., 12", 15", 18", 24", 30", 36", etc.).For more information on size variations, please refer to the Introduction - Sizes section to understand that actual sizes may be approximately 1/2 inch smaller than the listed variant sizes.
Fill the Artboard:
Ensure your image is sized to fill the artboard completely. Shrinking the design on the artboard won’t reduce the final product size but will reduce image quality, which can lead to production issues.
Essential Design Factors
When creating your metal signs, it's crucial to consider several factors to ensure a successful outcome.
1. Artwork Guidelines for Metal Sign Production
Your design will be cut from a solid metal sheet. Ensure your file includes transparency, as elements not anchored to the main design will be removed. Detached or floating elements will not be included in the final product.
2. Design Considerations for Optimal Legibility
Line Thickness and Simplicity: Maintain a minimum line thickness of 0.08" (2mm) for clear visibility and durability. Simplify intricate details to prevent issues during scaling.
Enhancing Visibility: The MEM Design Studio software applies a drop shadow effect that may obscure thin details. Use thicker lines and larger spaces between elements to ensure clarity. Add a stroke or use offset paths to thicken lines as needed.
3. Structural Integrity and Design Precautions
Design with Metal's Rigidity in Mind: Avoid overly thin designs that could lead to breakage during shipping or installation.
Round Off Sharp Corners: Ensure any sharp corners of your design are rounded. Sharp edges can affect the structural integrity and safety of the final product.
Important Note: MEM cannot offer refunds for signs compromised by design issues.
Managing Floating Elements
Ensure all design elements are securely attached. Detached or floating elements will be removed before the powder coating process. Anchor all parts of your design to include them in the final product.
Crafting in Monochrome
Our signs are laser-cut and powder-coated in a single color. Design your artwork in monochrome to visualize the final appearance before submission. Transparent elements will be removed during fabrication.
Adding Mounting Holes
Mounting hardware and holes are not included. If you need mounting holes, add them to your design.
For signs with a width of 12 inches or more, we suggest mounting holes should be no smaller than 0.1875” (3/16”).
Ensure hole sizes and placements are accurate to maintain the sign's structural integrity and balance.
Grouping and Variable Options
Organize design layers into groups to create options within the design.
How to Group Layers:
Select Layers: Choose the layers you want to group.
Create Group: Use the "Group" option to enclose selected layers.
Label Group: Rename the group header layer for clarity.
Variable Options: Layers within a group act as options, with only one layer selectable at a time. Unlocked layers are customizable by customers.
Important Note: Locked layers or groups will not appear as customizable options for customers on the website. Ensure that any elements you want customers to interact with are left unlocked for customization.
Adding Text Personalization
Positive vs. Negative Text: Use black for areas that will remain metal and white for areas where the metal will be cut away.
Important Note for Negative Text: To prevent negative text elements from falling out of the design after lasering, use stencil fonts. Stencil fonts are essential for negative text to maintain the structural integrity of the design. Ensure that stencil fonts are at least 1 inch tall to keep all elements securely attached.
Placement and Overlapping: Ensure text overlaps with design elements for stability. Proper placement prevents text elements from detaching during the lasering process.
Keep Text Layers Unlocked: Text layers that require personalization should remain unlocked to allow customer input.
Using the Curved Text Feature in the Design Studio
When designing your custom steel wall decor, you have the option to add curved text for a unique look. To use this feature, select the Curved Text dropdown located above the artboard. This will allow you to adjust the curvature of the text, offering more customization options.
For best results:
Ensure that the text fits well within the design layout.
Consider the overall aesthetic and readability of the curved text in the final product.
Text Validation
Character Limits: Be mindful of the character limit across all text layers to ensure readability and design clarity. Excessive characters may affect the overall aesthetic and functionality of the design.
Uppercase Text: The design studio may require text to be entered in uppercase for certain font styles, particularly stencil fonts or designs meant for laser cutting. Ensure the text format complies with the design requirements.
Spacing and Alignment: Adjust the spacing between letters and words to ensure text aligns properly with the design. This is especially important when using curved text, as proper alignment enhances both visual appeal and structural integrity.
Important Note:
Label Layers with Unique Names: Label each layer with a unique name (e.g., "Top Text," "Bottom Text") before saving your design. This practice helps clearly define the entry fields for customers, prevents confusion, and meets the system's requirement for unique field names. Properly named layers improve the user experience and ensure the correct fields are available during customization.
Enter Preview Text: Enter Preview Text in the "Text Box" when saving your design in the Design Studio. This step ensures that the text appears on the mockup images, providing customers with a clear preview of how their personalized product will look.
Uploading Your Own Fonts
To add personal fonts, click HERE to view our guide on uploading fonts tailored for custom metal signs.
Preview & Finalize Your Design
Before finalizing:
Review Placement: Check the alignment and positioning of all design elements.
Check Connectivity: Ensure all parts of the design are properly connected.
Verify Options: Test customizable elements to ensure they function correctly.
Make Adjustments: Fix any issues identified during the preview.
Preview Final Result: Use available features to visualize the final product and make last-minute tweaks.
Downloading Variant Images:
To download variant images from the design studio, follow these steps:
Preview the Design: Before saving, select "Preview" below the artboard in the design studio.
Enter Preview Text in the "Text Box": Input the text you want to display on the mockup to see how it will appear.
Download the Image: Click "Download" to save the variant images in PNG format.
Steps to Finalize Your Design:
Install the Latest MEM Live Preview Embed Code: Ensure that you have installed the latest My Easy Monogram (MEM) live preview embed code on your website to enable seamless customization options for your customers. Follow the step-by-step instructions here for installing the MEM live preview embed.
Select the Correct Shopify Theme Template: When using a Shopify theme template, make sure to select the appropriate theme template from the dropdown on the Shopify product admin page. This selection is crucial for displaying the correct personalization options and ensuring that the live preview functions as intended.
Creating Custom Lifestyle Mockups
Our Design Studio now includes Mockup Studio software, allowing you to easily create custom lifestyle mockups. Access curated background images or upload your own for a personalized touch. Watch our upcoming instructional video for a full walkthrough. Here’s how to get started:
How to Create and Manage Scenes
Adding Scenes:
To add scenes, select "Add New Scene" within the Mockup Studio.
From the "All Scenes" tab, choose a pre-loaded MEM scene.
To upload a new scene, go to the "My Scenes" tab and select "Create New."
Creating a New Scene:
Click "Create New", title your scene, and click "Create New" again to open the Mockup Generator.
Tools on the Left Panel:
Background: Choose "Add New Image" or select a previously imported background image to set your mockup background.
Add Image: Import the design created in the Design Studio for the product. Resize and rearrange the image. Use the "Effect" dropdown to adjust brightness, contrast, and drop shadow settings.
Once satisfied with your mockup, select "Save & Continue."
Managing Multiple Scenes:
You can create multiple scenes for each product. To add or remove a scene, simply toggle the scenes on or off.
The "My Scenes" tab allows you to edit or delete existing scenes.
Finalizing Mockups:
After creating your mockups, select "Continue to Details."
Under "Images" at the bottom of the description page, select or deselect images from the "Products" and "Scenes" tabs.
Click "Publish" to import your mockups into Shopify.
By following these steps, you can fully customize your lifestyle mockups to enhance your product presentation.
Order a Sample for Quality Assurance
My Easy Monogram suggests that sellers order a sample of their custom steel sign to ensure design quality and accuracy. Not only does this allow you to review the final product firsthand, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to create User-Generated Content (UGC) for your ads, showcasing the product's quality and boosting your brand's appeal. For instructions on how to order a sample, refer to the Ordering Sample Products section of the Managing Orders article.
Managing Orders and Production Status
To effectively manage your custom steel wall decor orders and track their production status, refer to the Managing Orders article here for detailed instructions on placing orders, checking order status, and updating orders, including steps for handling on-hold and production updates. This guide will ensure a smooth production process for your customers.
Access Design Studio Instructional Guide Videos
Click HERE to view instructional videos.
Additional Resources
For step-by-step guidance on importing and editing products, managing orders and more with My Easy Monogram please refer to the following resources:
MEM Articles:
Creating & Importing Products: Step-by-step guide to creating, designing, and importing products from My Easy Monogram to your Shopify store.
Managing Imported Products: Guide to managing and editing imported products in Shopify, including product details, variants, and updates from My Easy Monogram.
Managing Orders: Guide to managing orders from My Easy Monogram: track, update, resolve issues, and understand fulfillment.
Shipping Information: Learn about My Easy Monogram's shipping policies, including free domestic shipping & address updates
Upload Your Own Fonts: Guidelines and Instructional Guide to creating Custom Fonts Using the Design Studio
Product Tours:
Copyright Disclosure
My Easy Monogram (MEM) does not assume responsibility for copyright issues related to custom designs. It is the designer's responsibility to ensure that any designs created and uploaded do not infringe upon existing copyrights. By using the MEM Design Studio to create new products, you agree to take full responsibility for the originality and legality of your designs.
Accessing the My Easy Monogram Custom Design Studio
Visit the My Easy Monogram website.
Log in or create an account.
Navigate to "Design Studio Products" under Manage Products.
Select "Custom Steel Wall Decor" to start creating your custom designs.
With My Easy Monogram’s Custom Metal Signs and intuitive Design Studio, you can offer customers a truly personalized experience. Explore our premium materials and customization options to create one-of-a-kind metal signs that leave a lasting impression.
Happy Designing!