How to mark grain side?

[MtlBiker]

What do you folks use to mark the grain side of leather?  I often need to put center marks or position marks on the grain side and I guess I don't have the right product because whatever I try either doesn't show or I can't wipe it off (it wouldn't always be hidden) later.  For now I'm trying to leave as unobtrusive marks as possible, and I've even used a ballpoint pen.

What's the best marking tool for this?

 

[Zonker1972]

i use a pencil

 

[chuck123wapati]

8 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

What do you folks use to mark the grain side of leather?  I often need to put center marks or position marks on the grain side and I guess I don't have the right product because whatever I try either doesn't show or I can't wipe it off (it wouldn't always be hidden) later.  For now I'm trying to leave as unobtrusive marks as possible, and I've even used a ballpoint pen.

What's the best marking tool for this?

 

i use a round awl, put just a very tiny mark, or dividers for lines. I use pencil too once in a while very lightly then erase it, get a good gum eraser.

[toxo]

21 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

What do you folks use to mark the grain side of leather?  I often need to put center marks or position marks on the grain side and I guess I don't have the right product because whatever I try either doesn't show or I can't wipe it off (it wouldn't always be hidden) later.  For now I'm trying to leave as unobtrusive marks as possible, and I've even used a ballpoint pen.

What's the best marking tool for this?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233745544654?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item366c51f5ce:g:eokAAOSwnfpfhsa~&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAAA4DvDhcB3dKuemZ8TsxJzq11V3rXhQJK87eGDcS1hJ%2FqmSog4AUn1EvStpWEmCSE%2Fdi1I8PF9HgqiUoK7IRrKbo1yQz%2BBpmKdEEqM6clxtO%2Bhrr5KBWagfX9D5JbU9pspyNS%2B4IBC%2BYXArwJoqbjp2FfRw942tg0VZnGL48%2FY9WUnwYe%2FQkGhm%2BiS3xeuZhdlUM1aIi6G%2F8WO2nn8d2u4QvNm2W1opbAyYH52Ywvit85bQWYMSUtY7SVu1KlUFbC0wOgoyC8WsAx9yO0DSwioTqQcKbwLEfOKeVcZusw66JTO|tkp%3ABFBM6NKtpoNg

[fredk]

If its in an area to be cut or punched out - an ordinary biro pen. Or a 4B pencil, or a small mark with a pointy awl or tailors chalk. On leather with a finish I use Tandy's marker pen

https://www.tandyleather.world/products/leather-marking-pen?_pos=1&_sid=6b9cc59ba&_ss=r

Or put down some low tack painters masking tape and mark that with a pen

so many ways, each to suit the job in hand

Edited April 11, 2022 by fredk

[tsunkasapa]

Scratch awl, sometimes a pencil. NEVER ink.

[Hardrada]

Scratch awl.

[Spyros]

I've tried all the things mentioned here and sometimes nothing works, it will either not show or will not be removable afterwards, pick your poison.  Especially those "leatherworking" silver ink pens can sometimes achieve the impossible: both not show AND not be removable afterwards LOL 

If I am confident the mark will be hidden I just use black sharpies.   If it will be seen I make tiny marks (which I typically can't find afterwards) 

 

[fredk]

One other marker I use to mark holes which will be punched out,  or sewn or laced over - a Tippex pen. Tippex is the UK name for 'wite-out' correction fluid. It can be removed with careful use of alcohol

[GatoGordo]

I use either an 8B pencil or a Stabilo All pencil.