"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, it is useful to clarify the differences between embossing and de-bossing. While both techniques make use of heat and pressure, they do so in fundamentally different ways creating different aesthetics. 

De-boss. 

De-bossing is most popular stamping technique as it is 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. 

Embossings. 

The embossing uses the stamp on the underside of the material, pushing the logo outwards on the top side. 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 cost of knowledge. 

The harder problems begin here: different materials react differently - each will have their own thresholds to burning and damaging the materials. It's most problematic on embossings as stamping the logo outwards exposes any imperfections. 

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.

We had various RECARO stamps machined and begun testing with small scale applications. Differing techniques and new layered backing materials were developed per material to lock in the embossings. 

Our tests revealed the embossing process for Alcantara removes color saturation on the outline of the stamp.

 Embossings on Alcantara further accentuate the 3D effects - I like it.

Edge case.

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 planned use case was different: we sought to emboss singular logos on varying materials of varying dimensions. 

Consequently, industrial processes were discarded. We reviewed off-the-shelf stamping equipments, but they didn't meet our required specifications for temperatures nor our dies' dimensions. 

We put together an in-house stamping machine using industrial components with the help of friends & family. It was originally developed as a one-off for a set of Bespoke Recaro Classics.

Embossings were a creative idea, paired with a relentless desire for perfection. Behind the scenes, the reality was different.

Swords & arrows. 

The in-house stamping machine was large - larger than it needed to be. It was built off an industrial cart with a steel tubing frame. 

The stamping action was performed with an air powered ram driven down on the lower die. Air pressure were adjusted to vary mechanical pressure. 

Heat was introduced in the system manually with a blow torch and laser temperature readers were used to monitor temperatures.

Large steel plates were cut to install the upper and lower dies. The upper plate was on a swivel for angle adjustments.

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

The Strada tests. 

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

We succeeded in adjusting our settings to achieve our quality targets. The embossing of the RECARO logo was sharp, well defined and the 3D effect made use of the full depth of the die. 

The approved embossing was further mocked up on the seats and approved. The process was replicated on a larger section of Nappa leathe and the stamped section was then centered to our template's cut out, the outlines traced and the section cut. 

Unfortunately, the entire process took +/- 4 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. 

This was a 500$ logo, per seat. Market viability was a significant concern. 

Achieving repeatability. 

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

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.

The machine was designed it with electrical heating elements with built-in sensors to precisely adjust, stabilize and monitor temperatures. The upper pressing plate was designed with 4x springs to achieve our mechanical pressure at full compression with a manual lever over the previously used air ram.  

We set up a test matrix to monitor temperatures and time under mechanical pressure. Within an hour, we successfully matched the original embossing performed on the first Strada cover. We proceeded with stamping the second cover and its upper section.  

The process was then repeated for science: we succeeded in replicating our results at will. As a result, we drastically reduced labor time and material waste.

We are now able to offer embossings at reasonable prices for customers of the Bespoke Recaro seat program. 

With the stamping 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.