Printing Graphics Onto Leather

[Kustom]

Very interesting thread.

What I found on the Google:

http://justsomethingimade.com/2009/12/working-with-leather-image-transfers-sewing-techinques/

Leatheroo's thread on leatherworker.net:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=30822

[Northmount]

I just did a simple experiment printing color graphics on leather with the Canon Pro9000 inkjet printer. There was no leather prepartion, just grabbed a low quality piece about 3 oz, already cut to about 12" square. Set the printer up to feed straight through from the front tray (the paper path is flat, no bends). Took a few trials to get the settings correct to feed. Leather needs to be flat. Edges that curl up catch and jamb.

First picture is of the leather right after printing. 2nd is after applying an acrylic finish using a wool dauber very gently.

So the acrylic finish pulled some of the ink up and smeared it around a bit, as I expected it would with a dauber. So it needs to be sprayed on. (Need to try out that Preval stuff I bought a couple years ago.)

The paper path on this printer is limited to 57 mils (thousandths of an inch). That just happened to match this piece of leather.

Not too bad for a first try. Might have to do some more. I was going to make a double photo frame for this photo and a log house for the owners. Might just print the photos directly on light leather for the inside and tool some 7/8 oz for the outside of the folder and sew it together.

CTG

[Paul Hirst]

Hi All

My name is Paul Hirst I run a company called Octi Tech which specializes in the process of Dye Sublimation Transfer. Over the last few years we have been working very hard on developing a process for imaging leather and within the next couple of months we will be launching it onto the market and if it's okay I wouldn't mind engaging in conversation with you all to get some opinions and feedback on what we are doing.

Let me first explain what we are doing so there are no misconceptions... I would assume that most people would like to be able to take any piece of leather or PU leather they have and be able to put an image on it. What we have does not allow that, people can only use leather that has been treated by us so it works with the process. I accept that that might be limiting for some but as you can see from the attached images once leather or PU is treated for our process the results are truly stunning so while we cannot please everyone there are a huge amount of customers that will utilize our process

Our main focus is to produce a range of pre made items such as phone cases, kindle cases etc that can then be imaged afterwards with personalized designs but it's obvious from reading forums like this and seeing some of the INCREDIBLE work some of you guys do that there will be a demand from people that want to purchase pre sized leather, image it and then cut and sew it into various finished articles.

For those not familiar with the dye sublimation process it has a relatively low cost of entry probably around $1000.00 to get set up if you take a look at this site there are some videos showing you the process imaging other substrates http://howtosublimat.../how-to-videos/ The process allows you to place extremely high quality and durable images in full colour onto a wide range of substrates using a small desktop printer, sublimation inks and a heat press.

I have attached a few images of some of the beta products we have made up and would like to hear peoples views on imaging leather and what you might be looking for out of the process

Thanks :-)

Edited June 9, 2012 by Paul Hirst

[JohnBarton]

I am interested in purchasing your process if that's what you are selling. We are a small shop that does custom work and low volume production. I have been looking for a consistent and dependable solution to imprint images onto leather for a while.

Or please send me some info on what exactly you are offering to jb@jbideas.com.

Thanks,

John Barton

Hi All

My name is Paul Hirst I run a company called Octi Tech which specializes in the process of Dye Sublimation Transfer. Over the last few years we have been working very hard on developing a process for imaging leather and within the next couple of months we will be launching it onto the market and if it's okay I wouldn't mind engaging in conversation with you all to get some opinions and feedback on what we are doing.

Let me first explain what we are doing so there are no misconceptions... I would assume that most people would like to be able to take any piece of leather or PU leather they have and be able to put an image on it. What we have does not allow that, people can only use leather that has been treated by us so it works with the process. I accept that that might be limiting for some but as you can see from the attached images once leather or PU is treated for our process the results are truly stunning so while we cannot please everyone there are a huge amount of customers that will utilize our process

Our main focus is to produce a range of pre made items such as phone cases, kindle cases etc that can then be imaged afterwards with personalized designs but it's obvious from reading forums like this and seeing some of the INCREDIBLE work some of you guys do that there will be a demand from people that want to purchase pre sized leather, image it and then cut and sew it into various finished articles.

For those not familiar with the dye sublimation process it has a relatively low cost of entry probably around $1000.00 to get set up if you take a look at this site there are some videos showing you the process imaging other substrates http://howtosublimat.../how-to-videos/ The process allows you to place extremely high quality and durable images in full colour onto a wide range of substrates using a small desktop printer, sublimation inks and a heat press.

I have attached a few images of some of the beta products we have made up and would like to hear peoples views on imaging leather and what you might be looking for out of the process

Thanks :-)

[KandB]

So after all the hunting around, it seems that the heat transfer/sublimation technique that is done usually to transfer images onto t-shirts is the best way. But it looks like you need the transfer press, a special printer and particular inks. I don't know that I want to invest in all that without the guarantee that it'll work.

[Rubo]

Hi folks, my company LeatherFx does just that - full color leather printing -the image is actually printed onto thge leather, it's not a poly - laminate or sublimation - that requires a polyesther coating - the inks are infused into the leather permanently. You can check my web site : LeatherFx.com to see some samples of work we produced.

If you have any questions please contact Rubo @ rubo.gevo at yahoo dot com or call 818 640 4640

[KandB]

Hi Rubo,

Yes, I know your company does that. But I don't want to have to outsource whenever I want to print something, not to mention I don't have large runs that I need printed, making it not a cost effective solution. I am looking to learn how to print on leather at home.

[Studio-N]

I ran across this while googling for dye sub on leather: http://www.subtoner.com/page_leather.htm

Looks a lot like some of the results I get by laser engraving but without a lot of the cost.

Cheers!

[Studio-N]

BUMP.

Any new developments in this area? SubToner removed their link for using the monochrome sublimation on leather so I don't know

if anyone else is having any luck.

[Palermo]

You can also try polaroid emulsion transfer. Dont know of it Will work