I had a customer bring in a silver tray about 10" wide by 10 1/4" wide at its widest. She had me engrave in a script font:

Cheri and Gary
Nov. 22, 2006

How tall would you have made the letters? She settled on having them about .40 high. I am not sure whether that was the right size. It almost seemed too small. My first layout almost filled the rounded part of the heart with the letters .75 high but I decided that was too large.

Thanks,

James

James,
The "standard" is to fill 45% of the engravable space with text. That includes all lines of engraving. The problem with always following the rule is that some pieces cry out for something smaller or larger or the text condenses too much to use the 45% figure. You mention a heart on the piece. If the engraving area of the heart was much smaller than then overall size of the piece you would use the dimensions of the heart to determine your line height.

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Dee,

It was a heart shaped tray. Now I am sure that the engraving was too small.

Here is a scanned image off the side of the box. I have not figured out how to imbed pictures so it is an attachment.

James

The 45% rule works on signs and plaques, on oddballs throw it away. It has to look good and I personally do not like screaming. I think .4 is near the max I would ever use for that message. To fill more space you might want to stretch the width a little.

The right size IS what looks good. Sometimes you have to go with what looks best, but maybe not really good. (Because you cannot get to really good on everything.)

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

So many things to learn. I figure about the time I decide to retire in 20 years I will still learn something new each day. At least I hope so.
I think I should have stretched it a bit - especially after I adjusted the kerning (Thanks Dee). I did not have any extra time as she brought it in Wednesday and needed it Friday for the wedding this Wednesday.

Thank you for the help,

James