WinddragonCraftworks Report post Posted March 25, 2021 Hey everyone, I'm a hobbyist bookbinder with about 10 years experience. I've used goat skin for most of my projects but I've recently been asked to do a journal with a design on the cover. The customer wants a replica of River Song's diary from Dr. Who. It's a simple enough design, but I'm completely new to tooling. Are there certain tools that excel at putting straight lines (two or three different sizes) into 1-2 oz. Leather? Thanks in advance. I'm loving this website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted March 25, 2021 Welcome to the forum! It's a great place full of helpful people and a goldmine of information. I did a quick Google search to find out what this journal looks like: Diary as it looks in the TV program So, now for some more questions: It doesn't appear that the lines are cut in and then tooled with a beveler, although this could be done. It appears that they are deeply embossed, with a rigid, rounded-end tool. It's even possible to make that design by forming the thin leather over shapes (like this person did). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted March 25, 2021 And you need a vegetable tanned leather for tooling. When properly moistened (cased), veg tan is very sensitive to impressions, even to your fingernails! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinddragonCraftworks Report post Posted March 29, 2021 Thanks for the wisdom. I have the leather on hand that I intend to use for the project. It's a sokoto Morocco skin from Siegel leather. It's certainly the nicest leather I've ever used. I'll do some experimentation for sure before I dive into the design itself. Thanks again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted March 29, 2021 At first glance at the image it looks more like a gold impression where they have the design embossed on a plate and then heat the plate and place a bit of a foil between the heated plate and the leather using one of these machines Leather Heat Press Machine Hot Foil Printing Stamping Logo Embossing Bronzing | eBay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites