Diddy Report post Posted January 14, 2015 I would like to know what is the best way to align letter stamps for lettering and also to make sure pressure is even. Is there a press to use? What do you do to make sure your lettering is precise? For example, I would like to stamp names and addresses, phone numbers, and quotes on luggage tags. Thank you for your input on this. I really appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazedLemming Report post Posted January 14, 2015 You might take a look at these threads on homemade jigs that people have put together. There's probably more but these were the first couple interesting ones I spotted in a quick search. Up Dated Jig for Belt Stamping by mike6642 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=60015 Letter Stamp Jig by JoeSnuffie http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=53629 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diddy Report post Posted January 14, 2015 Thank you. I'll definitely take a look at those threads. I knew there had to be something to use. I was getting so frustrated trying to do it one letter at a time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDAZ Report post Posted January 14, 2015 I think you are asking for trouble. What I use for complex lettering is a laser printer. I layout the text in Photoshop in reverse, print on standard paper then place on the leather and saturate with acetone. I then use my bone creaser to transfer the lettering to the leather. Then I seal and it's good to go. If you are looking to stamp complex text, you WILL, at some point, screw it up and ruin all your work. A name of 5 - 10 characters is fine, I use a 2 ton arbor press. The Tandy letters are self aligning and I use a triangle to make sure the alignment is ok. Cya! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted January 14, 2015 Use lead printing type. Fast easy and perfectly straight. Relatively cheap to get a full set-up too. You can get a few sets and can print in almost any size or amount of text. You need to press it in, not pound on it or you will damage the type. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sporq Report post Posted January 14, 2015 Just a tip if you use a printer for patterns, especially a laser, and especially if it's on transparency paper: Don't put the printed side against the leather. You'll get transfer onto your piece. I always take a pen or something and write a word or whatnot on the printed side, so I can tell which is which. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDAZ Report post Posted January 14, 2015 Just a tip if you use a printer for patterns, especially a laser, and especially if it's on transparency paper: Don't put the printed side against the leather. You'll get transfer onto your piece. I always take a pen or something and write a word or whatnot on the printed side, so I can tell which is which. I ALWAYS use reversed, toner down so I DO get transfer. Much easier and more accurate than tracing . I usually use 2 pixels so the toner is not visible once tooled. Of course if I want the leather "printed" then I use a robust font. Cya! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Recently, I wanted this question answered too, As something to use, and make for myself. Tree Reaper came to my rescue. Solution; simple wooden frame grooved for T-Track, T-Bolts, and Knobs for the size bolts used. I found them available at AMAZON, ROCKLER, WOODCRAFT then drill a simple 1-1/2" bar of thin/flat aluminum as a guide. Welah. works like a charm Thanx again Reaper Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted December 29, 2019 For about £125 you can buy a 3D printer "Ender 3" and print your own lettering for embossing as either positive or negative using all available font styles with proportional spacing so they look great, a typical name print will cost less than about £0.50 in filament. You can use a free online software package named "Tinkercad" to get started which whilst basic will do all you require for making stamps with a Arbor press (1-2 ton) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites