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In June of 2023 I suffered a stroke that has affected the nerves on the left side of my body including my left hand. This has caused me to rethink how I do my hobby of leather carving. I began looking into laser engraving to assist me so I may continue to enjoy leather carving, at least at some level. I recently purchased an xTool D1 Pro 2 with a 10 watt diode laser. Since I do leather writing folios (outer shell measures 13" H x 20" W) this device provides me an open frame that I can slide the leather under when I do the front design or the back design as seperate engravings. I also do purses and custom holsters (Western Style). So far I have used the laser on two purses and two writing folios and a 'round to it'. For the two purses, I used the laser to provide the tooling lines as well as adding some enhancements to the design. In the case of the writing folios I only engraved the design to maintain the level of details in the design. In the future I am looking at doing some tooling to enhance that type of design, i.e. tooling the outline and possibly major components. Also, it has opened a whole lot of fonts that I can using on my leather projects. In the past I have used the letter stamps and two sets of metal print type to do the lettering. For the engraving I am running the laser at 35% power and 100 mm/sec. I am using the software that comes from xTool since it has all the capabilities I currently require. I have looked at "Lightburn" and will reconsider it if the "xTool Creative Space" no longer supports my needs. I have also purchase the D1 Pro enclosure kit, Air assist to keep the laser head clean, and the smoke purifier so I can run the system inside the house in our craft studio. One of the things I have realized is that I can rely on the laser to add details as shown in the two writing folios that I cannot achieve with tooling. I have also found that although I can continue with my leather craft it now takes me twice as long to complete a project. Living with a new normal.

Hi all, I am newbie here as well as with engraving. I have just done a engraving on my full grain leather wallet however I want to make the engraved part standout. The black burned leather is just getting light as I clean it with wipes. Any way I can enhance the engraving to make it stand out ? Any black color or something that I can apply that should enhance the engraved part but it shouldnt effect the non-engraved part? Picture attached. PS. In the attached picture, I haven't cleaned it after laser engraving yet with wet wipes as the black burned part spreads over when I move my finger on it. To get rid of it, I clean it with just wet wipes but that literally dulls the engraving (black part). That's why I need it make the engraving stand out. Many thanks for any help.

Hi friends, l am would love to first paint /stain my vegetable Tanned Learher and there after take it in for laser engraving. I don't want the etching process to affect the color of my leather. Can anyone recommend a seal that will protect the leather or even take me through the process if they have done it before. I appreciate all your help and advise friends. Waiting to hear and learn from y'all. Thank you.

Hello all, I desperately need some expert help!! I make elastic Y-back suspenders in six different colors for children, and I'd like to change the leather patch on the back. Right now, I use a faux leather in three different colors and would like to transition to one color that I can have my company name embossed on. I'm extremely green when it comes to working with genuine leather. I've searched around locally and no one can really help me start from the beginning, which is to determine the best leather to use as a back patch for suspenders. The only recommendation I've been given is to maybe try a veg tan leather. My dilemma with that is this: 1) It's not dyed! Yes I do need a color that matches all six suspender colors, but I have no idea about dyeing leather. I can find a color I think might work on the internet, but it's just a picture. I still need to know what color dye to pick and how to dye it. Can someone please tell me if veg tan is really my only option to get the right color leather needed? I don't have the expertise to do what needs to be done with veg tan and no here seems to either or at least they don't want to help. Any recommendations on how to find more potential colors or someone to dye it for me because me dyeing it isn't an option? 2) As explained to me 2/3 oz veg tan is the lowest weight in that type but it still seems too thick for these suspenders. Would you agree? I need something that can be sewn on a sewing machine but not flimsy. 3) After I've found the right leather and color, I need it to be embossed. Can you please advise the best way to make this happen? People have mentioned laser engraving to me. I've also been told about stamps you can buy. Recommendations? 4) Lastly, I've been told that this is the process I need to follow to reach the end result of the actual back patch (assuming I go with veg tan) : once the leather is bought, have the shape clicked out, dye the shape, emboss/engrave the shape, then put a finish on it. Would you agree? Is the process pretty much the same if it's already dyed (click, emboss, finish)? As a side note, I had a die of the shape professionally made, but I do not have a clicker press. It would be optimal if I can find an appropriate weight leather for suspenders that is already dyed to the right color and would emboss well. Please help!!! Thank you! C Pack