Preparing Logo Artwork for Silicone Molds: Vectors, Depth & Line Weight

Your Illustrator file has 0.2 mm hairlines and a gradient logo - the mold quote stalls or the sample looks blurred. RUUIPON builds custom logo silicone molds at MOQ 50 from production-ready vector art. Prototypes in 3-7 days. This guide tells designers exactly how to prep artwork so emboss depth, line weight, and IP handoff survive DFM and sample approval.

Quick answer: Supply vector STEP/DXF/SVG or AI with outlined fonts, minimum line/ stroke 0.4-0.5 mm on the molded face, emboss depth 0.5-1.5 mm (application dependent), no gradients or raster logos for cavity surface. Mark hero face and no-seam zone on candle/resin parts. NDA before upload; we machine or print master from approved art - silicone copies ~0.1% shrink from master.

Artwork Spec Summary

Element	Spec	Reject
Format	AI/EPS/SVG/DXF/STEP, mm units	PNG/JPG only
Fonts	Converted to outlines	Live text
Min line weight	0.4 mm (0.5 mm food/chocolate)	Hairline, 0.1 mm
Emboss depth	0.5-1.5 mm typical	>2 mm thin logo - tears
Interior corners	R ≥0.3 mm fillet	Sharp V notch
Gradients / photos	Not moldable as-is	Bitmap texture unless CNC'd

File Formats & Handoff Checklist

1. Native vector - one artboard per molded face; scale 1:1 in mm.
2. Outline strokes - expand appearance; no live effects.
3. Separate faces - top logo vs side texture as labeled layers.
4. Parting note - PDF markup: seam OK on rear only. Candle seams.
5. Color - mold color vs cast color; Pantone for silicone pigment if needed. Pigment options.
6. Send via secure link - NDA signed; email [email protected].

Master from art: master model materials. Brief template: manufacturer brief.

Line Weight & Emboss Depth by Application

Application	Min line	Emboss depth	Readability
Chocolate	0.5 mm	0.5-1.0 mm	High contrast on temper
Gummy	0.5 mm	0.6-1.2 mm	Fill shows logo shadow
Resin	0.4 mm	0.5-1.5 mm	Pigment fill highlights
Soap	0.5 mm	0.8-1.5 mm	Caustic wears fine lines
Ice (bar)	0.6 mm	0.8-1.5 mm max	Cleanability - ice hygiene
Candle	0.5 mm	0.5-1.2 mm	Seam away from logo

Hard limits module: logo detail limits. Shore affects release from fine detail - Shore A guide.

Emboss vs Deboss on the Mold Cavity

Mold cavity emboss creates raised logo on the cast (chocolate bar logo raised). Deboss cavity → indented logo on product. Pick one per face - mixing confuses master CNC.

• Emboss on food - easier release than deep pockets.
• Deboss pocket - traps air in resin - vent or shallow. Resin bubbles.
• Reverse for mold - we mirror once; you do not need to supply negative art if labeled "hero view".

IP, NDA & Brand Guidelines

Custom molds are tooling that embeds your trademark in silicone - treat art handoff like packaging print.

Item	Action
Trademark ownership	Confirm you control logo license
NDA	Mutual before CAD upload
Tooling ownership	State on PO - buyer-owned master typical
Supplier portfolio	Opt-out of marketing photos if needed
Revision lock	Rev ID on approved art - revision process

DFM quote flags before IP is machined: DFM red flags. Private label: OEM molds.

DFM on Artwork Before MOQ 50

We return marked PDF within ~24 hours of art upload:

• Lines below 0.4 mm highlighted red.
• Spacing to cavity wall <2 mm flagged.
• Parting through logo blocked - suggest split line move.
• Wall thickness behind logo ≥2.5 mm - wall thickness.
• Vacuum degas plan on pour - fine text needs void-free silicone. Degassing.

Sample approval: physical cast beats screen proof. Sample checklist. Process: prototype to production.

Production Spec at MOQ 50

PO line	Example
Art rev	LOGO_v3.ai approved 2026-09-03
Emboss	0.8 mm depth, 0.5 mm min stroke
Master	CNC aluminum from vector
Silicone	Platinum, Shore A 30, vacuum degassed
Layout	8 cavities, spacing 12 mm, walls 3 mm
Sample	3-7 days, 5 branded test casts

Upload art for DFM: [email protected] | Contact RUUIPON | WhatsApp +86 135 3006 2969.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you work from a photo of my product?
We trace to vector - extra fee and week; original vector is faster.

Multi-color logo in one mold?
Silicone mold is single-color cavity; color comes from cast material or paint after.

® and ™ symbols moldable?
Yes if line weight ≥0.4 mm - may simplify for chocolate.

Art change after sample?
Revision cycle - new master charge possible.

MOQ 50 same art multiple sizes?
Each tray size = separate tooling; art scale per CAD.

Etsy / Shopify handoff?
Same specs - Etsy sellers, Shopify brands.

Shrink affect logo width?
~0.1% silicone - negligible on 40 mm logo; note on tight mechanical fits. Shrinkage.