Adding Lettering To A Finished Notebook

[Bob Blea]

Hello,

I have an odd situation developing. I've had a customer purchase one of my notebooks from my Etsy site. It's an already completed notebook and normally I would just ship it tomorrow. HOWEVER she asked on the order if I could add some text to the notebook before I sent it. I told her that I couldn't because the notebook was already finished and there really isn't a way to add the saying she wanted to it. The notebook is carved vegtan with an antique finish. It has been coated with Wyosheen prior to antiqing, and has a final coat of acrylic as a top coat to resist moisture, so it really isn't possible to recarve the covers. I wrote to her and explained that this particular notebook couldn't have her saying added, but I could make a new one that included it, just not in time for Christmas.

I was surprised when she wrote back that she would take the notebook as is and would just have her saying 'engraved' when she got it. I'm certainly no expert at leatherwork but I'm not sure what sort of engraving or any other technique she could have in mind to add her personalized message. Do any of you have an idea how she might be planning on doing this? I've written to her asking her for details, and trying to explain how the carvings end up in the leather in the first place, and why I think she couldn't add her saying. However, if there is a way to do this without destroying a notebook that I am fairly proud of, I would appreciate knowing how to do it. If I can recommend some way for her to do this safely I will be happy to. Just from my limited experience I don't know of a good way to do this. I'm thinking maybe you could heat emboss this somehow, but I don't this that will be very good on existing finish.

Here is the notebook in question. She wants to add the saying 'Ever Faithful' to the notebook.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have,

Bob

[electrathon]

Laser engraver. Just burn it in.

[Bob Blea]

Laser engraver. Just burn it in.

Thanks Aaron, after talking to her again today she says that laser engraving is what she had in mind, so I guess we are OK. It is just bothering me some that she's going to take it and modify it like this as soon as she gets it. Feels like she is ruining it thought it will probably come out fine. I probably am taking too much ownership of one of my 'creations' and should just let it go.

Thanks again for the advice,

Bob

[LNLeather]

OH BOB, what a Beauuuutiful Notebook that is!

The pattern, tooling, and lacing is all superb......

Love that background matting too!

I can see why you would not want to have any changes made

by anyone else but you. What you have made is Soooo Nice!

[Cyberthrasher]

I wonder if it would be possible for you to take it to a local laser engraving shop and have it done so you could have a lot more supervision in what happens to it?

[Havamal]

Bob... that notebook is superb! I can understand why you feel the way you do about modifications!!!

[Northmount]

A finish should be applied over the laser work too.

Another way of adding text or even graphics is hot foil stamping.

My son used to have a setup for doing business cards and such. Stamped people's names on bibles too. After he lost interest in it, we gave it away. Now I wish we still had it! Even just the press action without the heat would be nice to have. Had several sets of type with it. Used to get plates made up too. Oh well! Such is life.

Tom

[electrathon]

I have a hot foil stamper and it works too. Most people now days would laser engrave it though. Fast and easy to set up and run. I would recomend to her that she do a finish over the laser work.

As to how you feel, it is very nice but not what the person wants. There is some reason for the desire she has to the words, that is up to her and you are selling it to her, she can modify it as she desires.

[Bob Blea]

Thanks all for the nice comments. I like the design and it got lots of attention on the Etsy shop, so I'm going to need to make something similar to replace it quickly. I've noticed a lot of web searches for celtic designs that were finding it, and it even inspired one custom order for a larger notebook.

Aaron, you are absolutely right of course. I fully agree it should end up being exactly what the customer wants. I just want to make sure she doesn't ruin it in the process. Thanks all for pointing out that they will need to apply a finish over the lettering, I will pass that along to her.

I've already promised to get this shipped today (it's going to Canada and I want to make sure it gets their before Christmas) but for the future I should probably track down a local engraving shop that could do laser engraving, in case this request comes up again. This probably won't be the last time I could use this sort of service.

Thanks again all for the help!

Bob

[Northmount]

I have a hot foil stamper and it works too. Most people now days would laser engrave it though. Fast and easy to set up and run.

Laser engraving is definitely more flexible and faster. Have so many fonts and graphics available to use without having to have custom plates made or spend time setting up type. I guess I should find someone around here that can do it.

Tom

[Cyberthrasher]

Laser engraving is definitely more flexible and faster. Have so many fonts and graphics available to use without having to have custom plates made or spend time setting up type. I guess I should find someone around here that can do it.

Tom

In my area it's a trophy shop that does it, and they also do everything else like wine glasses and picture frames and stuff. Just a hint on what to look for if there isn't a heading for engraving services in the phone book.