Custom Leather Stamp Queston: Differences In Material?

[gaseousclay]

i've been researching different custom leather stamp companies and they all have their own specialties. I'm wondering if any of you could tell me the differences between the types of stamps and the benefits of each? In the future, should I decide to get a custom logo leather stamp, i'd want something durable that will last me a lifetime.

I see that some companies offer them in steel, brass & plastic. I'm sure each has their advantages and disadvantages but I don't know what they are. I was watching a youtube video on leather stamps by Ian Atkinson and he said that chrome tanned leather doesn't take stamps too well, whereas, veg tanned leather does. I basically wouldn't want to invest in a certain type of stamp if I couldn't use it on a specific leather type.

[Studio-N]

welcome. well I make stamps but so it doesn't sound like a commercial I'll stick to the 2nd part of the question.

Ian was correct that Chrome tanned leather doesn't take a stamp well (generally not at all). The softened leather will bounce back up. Veg tan will easily take a stamp impression and hold it. Other leathers like latigo or a harness leather can take a stamp depending on the actual tannage. Most latigos will take a stamp under pressure - in otherwords with a press rather than a mallet stamp. These are basically a retan of some type so while they have a lot of the characteristics of vegTan it also has chrometan characteristics mostly for weatherizing the leather.

A lot of the markings you see on soft leather has been hot stamp embossed. A heat press is used to heat and stretch the leather

and at the same time a colored foil is bonded (heat activated glue) to the leather. If no foil is used the mark is still there because

the heat has stretched the leather around the die. I had a brother who worked for a company that impressed things like large notebooks for companies. They had machines that used some sort of radio wave to heat and stretch the leather. Pretty impressive and fast. You can look for hot foil embossers on eBay. Kingsley is the model I have.

Cheers!

[gaseousclay]

welcome. well I make stamps but so it doesn't sound like a commercial I'll stick to the 2nd part of the question.

Ian was correct that Chrome tanned leather doesn't take a stamp well (generally not at all). The softened leather will bounce back up. Veg tan will easily take a stamp impression and hold it. Other leathers like latigo or a harness leather can take a stamp depending on the actual tannage. Most latigos will take a stamp under pressure - in otherwords with a press rather than a mallet stamp. These are basically a retan of some type so while they have a lot of the characteristics of vegTan it also has chrometan characteristics mostly for weatherizing the leather.

A lot of the markings you see on soft leather has been hot stamp embossed. A heat press is used to heat and stretch the leather

and at the same time a colored foil is bonded (heat activated glue) to the leather. If no foil is used the mark is still there because

the heat has stretched the leather around the die. I had a brother who worked for a company that impressed things like large notebooks for companies. They had machines that used some sort of radio wave to heat and stretch the leather. Pretty impressive and fast. You can look for hot foil embossers on eBay. Kingsley is the model I have.

Cheers!

thanks for the info. I was confused initially because I bought a chromexcel money clip wallet from Mitchell Leather and got the logo stamp on mine. If it's true that chrome tanned leather doesn't take a stamp then how could the chromexcel money clip have the logo? but you've answered my question, they must've hot stamp embossed their logo on the chromexcel.

but back to my original question, is steel really more durable and longer lasting than brass?

[electrathon]

Chrome tanned is "hot pressed" in. Sort od like a brand, but not as hot.

[Studio-N]

but back to my original question, is steel really more durable and longer lasting than brass?

I don't think one would be any better than the other. the bottom line is that it only has be harder than leather to work (which is why the delrin stamps work). So unless they abused, the metal ones should last a very long time.

[handsw]

I have read the thread because I have the same problem of gaseousclay.

If I have understood well, the better stamp should be the hot pressed one because it can be used on every kind of leather. I think that in this way the stamp should lasts longer than the others, used with a mallet or a press (I haven't got this machine anyway), am I right?

So now the problem is which kind of metal we should use (plastic is obviously not an option). Because brass, steel and copper are the options available I think that the problem is how they react to the deformations caused by the heat.

[Glendon]

If you are interested in hot stamping, Ian who was mentioned above has a good video on doing poor mans hot stamping. He uses magnesium to good effect. Copper is out. Good conductor, but soft. Brass is ideal, but expensive. I would probably go with magnesium for learning the techniques, because it is fairly cheap and available. Then maybe go with brass if or when your first stamps start wearing down.

[handsw]

Thank you. I have found a Chinese seller who can make a brass custom hot stamp for only 28 euro and I think it's a bargain.

[handsw]

I have ordered the stamp but I have a question; I am working on a project that I must dye but should I apply the hot stamp before dyeing or after?

[cgleathercraft]

I have ordered the stamp but I have a question; I am working on a project that I must dye but should I apply the hot stamp before dyeing or after?

I've seen both done before in videos. I suggest doing a sample first to see which one provides the look you want.

[handsw]

thanks but if you have seen both the methods I think I will choose the second one (after) because otherwise I can't continue the project until the stamp arrives and because there will not be a a color difference (but I am not sure of that) between the part stamped and the background.

[cgleathercraft]

I've messed up a few finished items trying something new so I tend to try things out on scrap if I have the time. Hope to see a picture when its all done!