Members Jinglin Posted May 5 Members Report Posted May 5 (edited) Lately, I've received some questions about how to achieve the high-end gold lettering effect on leather tags—like the ones shown in the photos—with names or initials stamped in gold. So today, I’m sharing a simple step-by-step guide on the process and tips for getting the best results. If you’re in leather customization, gift making, or just starting your own business, this might help! 🔧 Step 1: Prepare the Stamp Mold Use laser engraving or etching to create a custom brass plate. For text, choose fonts with medium-width strokes and smooth curves—super thin lines may not stamp clearly. ⚙️ Step 2: Adjust the Hot Stamping Machine Settings Temperature: 110°C to 130°C (adjust based on the type of leather) Pressure: Moderate – enough to leave a clear impression without over-compressing the leather Time: 0.8 to 1.2 seconds is usually sufficient 📐 Step 3: Align and Stamp Place the foil over the leather, align your mold carefully, then press down. Always test on scrap pieces first to fine-tune the settings before starting a full batch. 👀 Step 4: Check the Result A perfect stamp should have clear lines, full color coverage, a metallic shine, and strong adhesion that won’t rub off easily. 📎 Tips & Tricks: Gold foil stands out best on dark leather; for light leather, try silver or rose gold. Different foil brands may respond differently to heat—test before mass production. Brass molds are reusable and great for small-batch or bulk production. Edited May 5 by Jinglin Quote Jinglin was born out of a passion for embossing craftsmanship and a pursuit of personalized customization. In exploring traditional techniques, we discovered that embossing is not just a decorative process, but a form of artistic expression that gives each creation a unique shine and texture. As a result, we are dedicated to creating high-quality embossing machines and custom brass dies to help creators bring their design dreams to life. We are committed to providing craft enthusiasts with high-quality, affordable tools and materials, enabling them to enjoy the creative process and achieve remarkable results.
Moderator Wizcrafts Posted May 5 Moderator Report Posted May 5 I want to add another tip for hot leafing in leather. I always press down a couple of times, fairly hard, to de-boss the leather before I apply the gold leaf. This ensures that the foil color will go into a channel instead of just laying on top of the leather where it could rub off. It's best to use a backing cardboard if the leather is thin, to avoid harming the type. If your embossing a belt the backing isn't needed. Just hold down the lever for a couple of seconds before applying the foil. I usually set my temperature to about 230 degrees on my Kingsley heat presses. One half to 3/4 of a second of foiling seems to work best. You can always hit it again to add more foil as long as the work is clamped down and hasn't moved. Quote Posted IMHO, by Wiz My current crop of sewing machines: Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.
Members Jinglin Posted May 7 Author Members Report Posted May 7 On 5/5/2025 at 11:53 PM, Wizcrafts said: I want to add another tip for hot leafing in leather. I always press down a couple of times, fairly hard, to de-boss the leather before I apply the gold leaf. This ensures that the foil color will go into a channel instead of just laying on top of the leather where it could rub off. It's best to use a backing cardboard if the leather is thin, to avoid harming the type. If your embossing a belt the backing isn't needed. Just hold down the lever for a couple of seconds before applying the foil. I usually set my temperature to about 230 degrees on my Kingsley heat presses. One half to 3/4 of a second of foiling seems to work best. You can always hit it again to add more foil as long as the work is clamped down and hasn't moved. Thank you for your supplement and sharing ；） Quote Jinglin was born out of a passion for embossing craftsmanship and a pursuit of personalized customization. In exploring traditional techniques, we discovered that embossing is not just a decorative process, but a form of artistic expression that gives each creation a unique shine and texture. As a result, we are dedicated to creating high-quality embossing machines and custom brass dies to help creators bring their design dreams to life. We are committed to providing craft enthusiasts with high-quality, affordable tools and materials, enabling them to enjoy the creative process and achieve remarkable results.
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