Best brand of tape to use on leather?

[Littlef]

What I typically do, after I work out a pattern, is I use spray contact adhesive, and glue my pattern to posterboard, so its rigid.  Then, I have a few different sized paper weights to help hold it down, in addition to holding it with my non-dominant hand, as I scribe around the pattern.  

[SUP]

 See, when I make my own patterns, I usually  design it on paper, trace it on cardboard, mark all the stitching holes, cut and then use that as the template on the leather.  Sometimes, I do not even make the cardboard template, like for knife sheaths, which are individual for each knife. When using paper, the paper weights work well or taping to the back, as you both suggest, @Littlef and @DJole. And both work well. Since the pattern is my own, I have an idea of where the stitching holes will be and don't need to punch through the paper.

I need the transparent tape for when I purchase patterns - I do that to learn different techniques from sellers who have good video guides for the products, like dieselpunk.ro. I end up with a completed project and have learnt something new at each turn. But he, like others, has patterns that need to be stuck onto the leather and the stitching holes punched through. Punching through paper without the sticky tape layer really can cause the paper to tear. So it is needed. That is where it becomes a problem. I have a bag full of leather scrap that are all sticky. Ergo the question here. 

[TonyV]

22 hours ago, SUP said:

I'll do that. thank you. But I need it to be transparent or at least translucent. Isn't green tape opaque? That is why I have been using masking tape but it makes a mess, especially on veg tanned leather. Cleaning requires saddle soap and scrubbing which, of course, ruins the surface. I've tried every other transparent/translucent tape I could find around here but like I said earlier, they either do not stick of leave residue. 

I suspect you're complicating things unnecessarily. Simply taping a pattern to a piece of leather shouldn't be a sticky mess.  I don't use the pattern to cut out the leather, I tape the pattern to the very lightly dampened leather, trace it with an awl, remove the pattern and tape, then cut out.  Any painter's tape should do just fine.  A small bit of tape here and there is plenty to hold the pattern while I trace.  Then, removing the painter's tape is a snap.  If there is any minor residual adhesive, it is easily removed with a bit of denatured alcohol.

[SUP]

@TonyV have you seen the patterns available online, along with the instructional videos? I suspect, not. Please do look at them - they are on Etsy. Most of the videos are free,  You will get an idea of what I am talking about. When I say that the leather is sticky, It does not indicate a 'sticky mess'. it just means that some of the glue remains behind. A bagful of sticky scrap does not mean a sticky lump; it means scraps of leather which have glue somewhere or the other. 

 

 

[TonyV]

17 minutes ago, SUP said:

@TonyV have you seen the patterns available online, along with the instructional videos? I suspect, not. Please do look at them - they are on Etsy. Most of the videos are free,  You will get an idea of what I am talking about. When I say that the leather is sticky, It does not indicate a 'sticky mess'. it just means that some of the glue remains behind. A bagful of sticky scrap does not mean a sticky lump; it means scraps of leather which have glue somewhere or the other. 

 

 

My answer remains the same.  A little bit of painter's tape to hold it while tracing (not cutting) the pattern.  Any residual adhesive, which is rare, is easily cleaned off with denatured alcohol.  Easy Peasy.

I create most of my own patterns, I know how to make evenly spaced holes without taping up my patterns, and I have never bought anything from etsy.  I have learned a thing or 2 about how things are done by listening to more experienced craftsmen, however.

Edited July 22, 2024 by TonyV

[SUP]

 @TonyV  Thank you for your help. 

You have not looked at any of those videos, have you? 

I create my own patterns too and one certainly can't do so if one does not know how to create the stitching holes for them!  

And I learn new techniques as well, from those who are experienced enough to make patterns and teach along the way. Great way to learn. I hope I never reach a point where I think I know everything and there is nothing more that I can learn. How horrible that would be for me! 

Edited July 22, 2024 by SUP

[BlackDragon]

I've used a few of dieselpunk.ro's patterns. They're great patterns and a great way to learn.

Since I didnt have the same style hole punch as he did I used dividers along the perimeter of the cut leather to layout where to use my pricking irons. For any internal hole where I cant use the dividers I use an awl to make an indent through the pattern where the holes should be then use my pricking iron.

[TonyV]

5 hours ago, SUP said:

 @TonyV  Thank you for your help. 

You have not looked at any of those videos, have you? 

I create my own patterns too and one certainly can't do so if one does not know how to create the stitching holes for them!  

And I learn new techniques as well, from those who are experienced enough to make patterns and teach along the way. Great way to learn. I hope I never reach a point where I think I know everything and there is nothing more that I can learn. How horrible that would be for me! 

You're very welcome.  I'm always pleased to try to help those willing to accept help, even when it doesn't conform to preconceived notions.

[SUP]

 

8 hours ago, TonyV said:

I'm always pleased to try to help those willing to accept help, even when it doesn't conform to preconceived notions.

Very magnanimous of you indeed. It's a pleasure to talk to people with such big hearts.

Popcorn anyone?

Seriously, if anyone does know about the type of tape I am asking about, I would love to know. 

All others who are feeling combative, go out into your yards and kick a few rocks. 

Edited July 23, 2024 by SUP

[DJole]

23 hours ago, SUP said:

I need the transparent tape for when I purchase patterns - I do that to learn different techniques from sellers who have good video guides for the products, like dieselpunk.ro. I end up with a completed project and have learnt something new at each turn. But he, like others, has patterns that need to be stuck onto the leather and the stitching holes punched through. Punching through paper without the sticky tape layer really can cause the paper to tear. So it is needed. That is where it becomes a problem. I have a bag full of leather scrap that are all sticky. Ergo the question here. 

Oh, I think I see what you mean now.  
I have some patterns (templates now, since I have glued them onto cardstock) that I need to be taped securely to the leather.
So what I have done is this: I used clear packing tape to cover the pattern. If I am using the pattern on damp leather, to trace tooling lines, or punching holes, or cut-out pieces, etc., the tape goes on the front and back faces of the template (paper top, cardboard/cardstock bottom). 
So now the paper doesn't tear, since it's reinforced by the cardstock it's glued to, and by the plastic tape layer. This also means I can tape it to the leather (around the edge, to the back side) without tearing the pattern when I am finished. 
Is this closer to what you are looking for?