A logo file tells a designer what your mark looks like. It does not tell them which parts of a mahjong collection carry it, how large it should appear or which way it should face when the product is used.
Before sampling a branded set, prepare a logo placement map: a component-by-component record connecting each intended mark to a surface, artwork version, size, orientation and approval reference. Include surfaces that should remain unbranded. This gives the buyer and project team a shared instruction sheet for reviewing the collection.
Decide where branding has a purpose
Begin with the contents of your actual order. A tile-only collection and a gift set with racks, a mat and a case need different maps. Do not add accessories to the specification simply because they appear in a concept image.
For each included component, ask what the mark needs to do. A box cover may introduce the brand at unboxing; a rack may carry a small identifier during use; a tile back may use a repeating symbol as part of the overall design. A surface can also remain undecorated when another element already provides enough branding.
List proposed placements for review without assuming that every decoration method is available on every material. The chosen construction, surface and artwork need to be assessed together. For the broader collection, start with the customization brief.
Build the map around surfaces, not just products
“Logo on the box” is incomplete: the cover, spine, underside and inside lid are different locations. “Logo on the rack” also needs a named face and a clear viewing direction.
Use one row per placement. The following is a planning example, not a catalog of guaranteed options or a production specification.
| Component and proposed surface | Artwork decision to record | View to include in the proof | Physical review question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tile back | Selected symbol or wordmark, revision and which tiles share it | Back view with the top edge identified | Does the mark reproduce clearly at the agreed size and orientation? |
| Rack outer face | Full logo or simplified mark, with a named location | Front and side views showing the tile-supporting side | Is the mark visible as intended when the rack is loaded? |
| Mat border | Logo variant and position relative to the edge | Full mat layout with a viewing direction | Do tiles and accessories cover the mark in the intended setup? |
| Carry case exterior | Named panel and artwork variant | Closed case view showing handle and opening | Does the proposed location work with seams, closures and how the case is carried? |
| Box cover | Logo, supporting text and approved cover layout | Closed box view and the open-box relationship | Is the orientation intentional when the box is opened? |
For tile faces, first decide whether branding belongs there at all. Keep any proposed mark distinct from the symbols players need to recognize, and review the actual-size result. A branded extra tile should have its own entry in the tile contents list, rather than silently replacing a playing face.
Specify the logo version and placement separately
Give each placement a short ID, such as BOX-COVER or RACK-OUTER. Connect that ID to the exact artwork filename and revision. “Use our usual logo” leaves room for an older wordmark, an unwanted tagline or a different color version to enter the proof.
Record these details beside the placement:
- Logo variant: full wordmark, symbol-only version or an explicitly approved simplified version.
- Finished artwork size: the proposed width and height on the component, using the agreed units.
- Position: dimensions from named edges or a clearly defined centerline on the agreed template.
- Orientation: a top-edge arrow or another unambiguous reference tied to the component.
- Color and decoration: the requested appearance and proposed method, with technical confirmation recorded separately.
- Undecorated areas: surfaces that must remain free of logos, taglines or other additions.
Do not apply one generic margin to every component. Ask the responsible designer or production partner to confirm usable areas on the actual template, including any effect of edges, seams, folds or closures. The design file checklist explains the wider artwork handoff.
Review orientation in the way the set will be used
A flat proof can hide an orientation problem. Add a contextual view showing the tile's face-to-back relationship, the rack with tiles in place, or the case with its handle and opening visible.
For a mat, decide whose viewpoint the layout prioritizes. A single wordmark has a reading direction; multiple marks or a symbol-based layout create different visual choices. Show the selected arrangement in the proof instead of expecting everyone reviewing it to interpret “bottom center” the same way.
For packaging, define the closed-box presentation and the open-box view. A mark that appears upright in a standalone panel drawing may face a different direction once that panel is folded or assembled. Ask for the assembled relationship to be shown before approving placement.
Approve small marks at their actual size
A detailed full logo may need a separate simplified version for a small surface. Treat that as a design decision: review what has been removed or changed, give the resulting file its own version and approve it explicitly. Do not assume shrinking the full logo preserves readable lettering and open spaces.
Review a proof at the intended finished size, then examine the agreed physical sample on the selected material. Check legibility, placement and appearance with the component in context. A box proof does not establish how the same mark will look on a tile or fabric case.
If a placement has only been reviewed digitally, label that stage accurately. Keep physical appearance approval open until the relevant sample has been reviewed. Color choices across different materials also need their own references; use the colorway approval checklist to organize them.
Record approval by placement ID
An approval note should identify the map revision and state what it covers. For example, an illustrative note could read:
Map revision R4: approve BOX-COVER and MAT-BORDER layouts for the next sample. RACK-OUTER remains open pending the simplified symbol proof. This approval covers those layouts only; physical appearance will be reviewed against the sample references recorded for each component.
That note is more useful than “branding approved” because the unresolved item and approval stage remain visible. When a component, logo version or placement changes, update the affected row and identify whether a new proof or sample review is needed. Ask the project team to confirm any effect on the quoted scope and schedule.
FAQ
Is one logo file enough for the whole set?
It may provide the starting artwork, but each placement still needs a defined size, surface and orientation. If a simplified version is needed, approve that version separately and link it to the appropriate component.
Should every component carry a logo?
There is no need to brand every surface. Choose placements that support the intended collection experience, and record which components or surfaces should remain undecorated.
Can a logo position be approved from a rendering?
A rendering can support a layout discussion when its scale and orientation are clear. It does not by itself confirm the physical appearance on the selected material; keep that decision tied to the agreed sample review.
What should I send when requesting a branding review?
Send the included component list, current logo files, proposed placement map and any brand appearance references. Identify open decisions so the project team can assess them before preparing the relevant proofs or samples.
Turn the map into a project brief
Attach the placement map to your custom American mahjong set brief and keep it with the approved artwork. To discuss the selected surfaces and remaining questions, contact MahjCustom with the component list and latest map revision.