"In this entry, I chat about the Strada's unique logo stamping, starting with the differences between de-bossed and embossed stamping by reviewing BMW's collaboration with KITH. 

I document the technical challenges we faced and the unique techniques & equipment developed to create a repeatable process."
- Matt

Artistry is in the details. 

In the initial entry to the Strada series, I laid out our roadmap to creating luxury: the artistry, craftsmanship and subtle design changes would distinguish the Strada. 

A significant design detail would be the embossing of the Recaro logo in the newly created upper middle section of the Strada covers, replacing the original litho printed Recaro logo. 

With the ribs blended in with the Strada design, it created prime real estate for a larger logo. 

Discernment stamping styles. 

Both techniques use heat transfer and mechanical pressure to permanently deform materials. By playing off our perception of light and its shadows, logos are outlined and 3D effects are created.  

Preliminarily, I find it useful to clarify the differences between embossing and de-bossing. While conceptually similar, the aesthetics and the technical complexities to achieve said effects are significantly different.

De-boss. 

De-bossing is most popular stamping technique as it is slightly more noticeable, and much easier to perform. The logo is stamped from the top side of the material with limited probabilities of failure. 

BMW M most recently used this technique for the launch of the G8x M3/4 as part of a design study in collaboration with Kith, a fashion lifestyle brand from New York. 

The founder of Kith, Ronnie Fieg, had his E30 M3 restored by BMW Classic. They incorporated de-bossed KITH logos across entire leather sections of the seats, doors cards and the shifter's boot. 

To trace lineage with the original M3, the stamped design was used selectively on the 150x Kith edition G82 M4. It appears on the headrests and center armrest, where BMW stamped the traditional ///M logo onto the shift knob. 

The pattern adds a stylistic touch unseen in standard production BMW M cars. 

The challenges to embossings. 

While both techniques make use of heat and pressure, they do so in fundamentally different ways. To begin with, the de-bossing requires stamping to be performed from the underside of the material.

It creates an obvious technical problem: the machining of the stamp is reversed when compared to the de-bossing stamps. For demonstration, we attempted to use the BMW performance embossing die to create a de-boss effect. It's easy to find below. 

The material challenges to embossings. 

The harder problems begin here: different materials react differently to the embossing process, each will have their own thresholds to burning and damaging the materials.

Alcantara's synthetic fibers have surface memory: the thin, stretchable material will attempt to regain its original form. Natural leather tends to react like human skin - it scars permanently. 

Additionally, embossed logos will more than likely be subject to contact during use, increasing possibilities of visual deformation in the long term. Specific to this use case, the Strada design relocates the RECARO logo where the upper back rests.

Differing techniques and new layered backing materials were developed per material. 

Our tests revealed the embossing process for Alcantara removes color saturation on the outline of the stamp. It further differentiates the 3D effects - I like it.

The cost of knowledge. 

The previously showcased BMW M x KITH de-bossed leather had a repeatable pattern achieved more than likely using larger dies and industrial stamping processes on complete leather hides. 

Our use case is different: we use singular stamps to create logos on varying materials of varying dimensions. 

The embossing stamps were originally one-offs developed for a set of Bespoke Recaro Classics. They were a creative idea, paired with a relentless desire for perfection. 

Behind the scenes, the reality was different.

Innovation required new machinery. 

Off-the-shelf stamping equipments didn't meet our required specifications of temperature controls nor our dies' dimensions.

As a result, an in-house stamping machine was put together with friends & family using industrial components.

Steel plates were cut to install the upper and lower stamps. The upper plate was on a swivel, attached to an air powered ram (!) driving it down on the lower die. Heat was introduced in the system with a propane blow torch.

Laser readers were used to monitor temperatures and air pressure were noted for mechanical pressure. The alignment of the upper and lower die were problematic. 

The equipment was used to perform the embossing on the first Strada cover in December 2023. 

The entire process took +/- 3 hours to achieve the proper stamp for a single seat. The success rate was +/- 5%, approximately 19 out of 20 attempts were discarded along with wasted material. 

The stamping process was most favourably described as intuitive - or at worst: mediaeval.

Achieving repeatability. 

The previously acquired knowledge acquired allowed us to understand the technical specifications required to  develop a repeatable, reliable and durable embossing process.

With the redo of the Phoenix's paint and Recaro's bankruptcy fillings, the Strada seats development was put on hold. We used the downtime to develop new techniques and accessories for the Bespoke Recaro seat program along with new stamping equipment. 

In early 2024, we worked with a manufacturer to modify an existing stamping machine to meet our needs. In October, we took delivery of the customized stamping machine to test and dial in settings.

We eliminated the rudimentary use of blow torches, replacing it with electrical heating elements with built-in sensors. The air activated ram and the upper plate's swivel were replaced with 4x springs designed to achieve our mechanical pressure at full compression. 

In October, we took delivery of the customized stamping machine to test and dial in settings.

Within an hour, we achieved our quality targets and could repeat the process at will. 

With the stamping process challenges settled, we were in the clear. 

Up next: we upholster the complete covers. 

It will be a detailed documentation of the stitching types, and sewing techniques.