Leather Laser Engraving: All You Need to Know
Laser engravers offer precise and perfect engraving on leather that can’t be achieved through other engraving methods. There are a variety of personalized leather items, such as wallets, bags, belts, hat patches, keychains, and journals, can be made through laser engraving.
If you wish to engrave leather, read this whole post. We have discussed everything you need to know about laser engraving leather.
In This Article
- How Does Laser Engraving Leather Work?
- What Type of Laser Can Engrave Leather?
- Best Leather Laser Engravers
- What Type of Leather is Best for Laser Engraving?
- Tips for Laser Engraving Leather
- FAQs on Laser Engraving Leather
- Conclusion
How Does Laser Engraving Leather Work?
Laser engraving on leather involves focusing a high-powered laser beam on the leather's surface, increasing the surface's temperature to the point where it get vaporized. This process is controlled by software and the design provided, ensuring that the vaporization occurs only where engraving is intended, leaving the surrounding areas unaffected, thus resulting in a visible pattern on the surface.
With laser engraving, you have the option to create any design or pattern you like, from simple text and logos to intricate images, opening up a world of possibilities for leather engraving.
What Type of Laser Can Engrave Leather?
CO2 Laser Engravers
CO2 laser engravers are considered the best option for engraving leather. They are designed for a wide range of materials, especially the non-metallic ones, including leather, wood, acrylic, stone, paper, glass, rubber, fabric, and more.
CO2 laser engravers are suitable for small business owners looking to diversify their offerings with different materials and increase efficiency.
Diode Laser Engravers
Diode laser engravers can also engrave leather, but the range of materials that can be processed is not as wide as with CO2 laser engravers. So they're cheaper and more ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
XTOOL
Diode Laser Engravers for Leather
We offer multiple diode laser engravers to meet the needs of different leather craft.
Learn MoreBest Leather Laser Engravers
xTool S1: Best Diode Laser Engraver for Leather
xTool S1 is currently the most powerful enclosed diode laser in the world. Its top variant comes with a 40W laser diode, that is capable of engraving and cutting 300+ materials including leather. This power level is sufficient for both simple and deep surface engraving.
In addition to the 40W power module, the xTool S1 is available in two other variants: 20W and 10W. Both models perform equally well on leather and are designed for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. The 40W and 20W modules engrave at a speed of 600mm/s, while the 10W module engraves at 400mm/s.
For leather crafters, there is exciting news: the S1 also supports curved surface engraving, thanks to its 3D Curve Technology. The machine intelligently creates a 3D map of the object and dynamically adjusts the focus to engrave on uneven surfaces, making it an excellent option for leather bags, wallets, or other unevenly surfaced objects.
Internally, the machine offers ample space, exceeding the dimensions of most standard diodes on the market. The machine bed, slightly larger than an A3 sheet at 498×319mm, accommodates a variety of leather crafts without issue. The workspace can also be expanded in both dimensions through an automated passthrough slot and a riser base. The riser elevates the machine to handle tall objects up to 133.5mm, while the passthrough accommodates objects up to 3000mm long.
The S1’s positioning system is technologically advanced and surpasses typical camera positioning systems with its intelligent pin-point positioning system. This feature allows users to mark laser points on the object and sketch the layout in real-time on the software.
Safety features are a cornerstone of the S1 design. As a class 1 laser product, it includes top-tier safety protections such as a 360-degree flame detection sensor, a transparent laser-filtering top cover, a lid-open safety stop feature, and an emergency stop button. Additionally, it comes with an efficient smoke evacuation system.
Several additional attachments and add-ons are available to enhance the machine's capabilities further. These include the RA2 Pro rotary attachment, which facilitates work on cylindrical objects, an air assist to improve cutting quality and ensure a cleaner finish, a smoke purifier to maintain air quality, and a riser base to accommodate taller objects.
XTOOL
Diode Laser Engravers for Leather
We offer multiple diode laser engravers to meet the needs of different leather craft.
Learn MorexTool P2: Best CO2 Laser Engraver for Leather
If you need a more powerful alternative to a diode laser, consider the CO2 laser. The xTool P2 is rated as the top CO2 laser engraver by leading review sites including CNET, MUO, and Tom's Hardware, among others. It features a powerful 55W CO2 laser module capable of engraving at an impressive speed of 600mm/s.
Like the S1, the P2 can engrave both cylindrical and curved leather crafts, utilizing the same 3D curve technology that dynamically adjusts focus to accommodate different contours.
The internal workspace of the P2 measures 600×305mm; it’s significantly larger than its competitors in the same category. The machine can be further expanded to accommodate taller and longer objects with an external riser base and an automated passthrough slot.
P2 boasts a dual 16MP camera system—one for panoramic workspace views and the other for auto-focusing on objects. This system enables efficient mapping of designs onto leather and batch engraving on multiple items, such as leather patches. Additionally, P2 features LIDAR technology for precise measurements within 0.001 inches.
In such a powerful machine, safety is paramount. The P2 comes fully enclosed to contain both the laser and exhaust fumes. There is no need for extra goggles, as the top lid is laser-filtering. It comes with the world’s first fire safety kit capable of detecting and extinguishing fires within seconds.
Like other xTool machines, the P2 is compatible with multiple add-ons to maximize its potential. Noteworthy accessories include an automatic conveyor feeder for longer sheets, a rotary attachment, a riser base, xTool smoke purifier, and a honeycomb panel. Air assist is built-in.
What Type of Leather is Best for Laser Engraving?
The best
You might have heard about the types of leather, full grain leather and top grain leather.
The full-grain leather is the highest quality leather you can find. It contains the natural grain present on the skin. But keep in mind that it is quite thick.
The next option is the top grain leather which is the second-best quality. It is also the hide, but the top layer is sanded off to remove the imperfections.
Then there is corrected grain leather which is altered leather, and the last one is the bonded leather which is made from the leftovers.
All these types of leather can be used for laser engraving. But you need to run the laser power and speed settings test before you start.
Can You Laser Engrave Faux and PU Leather?
Synthetic or artificial leather, such as faux leather and PU leather, can also be laser engraved. But there is a limitation; you cannot laser engrave any leather that contains PVC or vinyl.
PVC produces harmful fumes of hydrochloric acid that is quite dangerous to your health and other people in the area. Moreover, Eel leather should also be avoided as it produces a long-lasting potent smell.
Tips for Laser Engraving Leather
If you want to get the best laser engraving results on leather, you must know a few tips and tricks.
- Pick the right type of leather for laser engraving. We have already discussed it in detail.
- Do not enter the power and speed settings randomly. It is better to run a power-speed test on a piece of scrap leather and then choose the optimal settings. It prevents the wastage of material and precious time.
- If you want to see deep, dark, and clear results, you need to increase the power setting of the laser. Another way is to decrease the speed.
- The focus of the laser machine is very important. Even if your settings are correct, there is no guarantee of good results if the focus is not correctly adjusted. Make sure the focus is correctly calibrated before engraving.
- Clean the leather object after engraving. Remove the debris and particles. You can also polish leather if needed.
FAQs on Laser Engraving Leather
What are the Settings for Laser Engraving Leather?
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer for laser engraving leather settings. The ideal settings depend on the laser type and power, the leather type and thickness, and the desired engraving depth.
It's highly recommended to do a test engrave on a scrap piece of leather before working on your final project.
Check the settings for laser engraving leather using xTool laser engravers.
How Do You Make Laser Engraving Darker on Leather?
To get a darker engraving result on leather, you can adjust the laser engraving settings either by using a higher power or a lower speed.
Should You Wet Leather before Laser Engraving?
Yes, slightly moistening the leather can make it more pliable and enhance the engraving process. It also helps in reducing smoke production during engraving. Be sure to lightly sprinkle water on the surface; the goal is to dampen, not soak the leather.
How to Clean Leather after Laser Engraving?
You can use a specialized leather cleaner or simply dampen a cloth with alcohol and wipe the leather surface.
How Do You Seal Leather after Laser Engraving?
You can either put a leather conditioner oil or coat it with beeswax. Another option is applying a sealant followed by an antique, which not only seals but also darkens and adds color to the leather.
Conclusion
For leather laser engraving, a CO2 laser is the best machine you can go for. It offers optimal results and can easily engrave almost any type of leather with its incredible power. If you want an affordable option, you can select a suitable diode laser machine for leather engraving.
Before selecting a laser machine for leather engraving, you need to look at the important factors we have discussed. We have also shared the best CO2 and diode lasers for this purpose. The machines have incredible features that a leather engraver needs. Moreover, they can engrave a wide range of materials, allowing you to work on different products.
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