Engraving designs on leather patches using a laser has always been a great way to add a unique touch to them. The best thing I love about it is that I can create any patterns and designs that come to mind, without worrying about their intricacy.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process from creating a design to fully engraving it on a leather patch. I will also address some of the most common concerns associated with this process to ensure your engraving process is smooth and you achieve the best outcome.

Now that you have everything ready, let's get right into the fun part!

I recommend using laser control and design software to create, edit, and send your design directly to the laser engraving machine. But if you don’t have one, you could still use your generic design software without any problems.

Start by setting up the dimensions of the patch on a blank canvas. The shape and size of the design are significantly influenced by its intended use (whether it is for a keychain, wallet, hat, pants, etc.), but most designs typically range from 2 to 4 inches wide. Import your design to this space, or use it to make one from scratch, editing using the tools and shapes available.

A good tip to keep in mind is to use black and white only to avoid confusion. Black shows the areas to be engraved.

For the design to be laser-ready, you need to convert it to vector format. Vector designs are easily traceable by the laser and also scalable without losing quality, to be used in other projects. 

Having the right leather is the first step towards quality laser engraving. Avoid chrome-tanned, PU, bonded, or unknown synthetic leather, as they release toxic fumes and the design engraves poorly.

Clean the surface using rubbing alcohol to remove any grease or fingerprints. Using harsh chemicals might warp or stain the leather.

To protect the surface from smoke stains and burn marks, cover the area to be engraved using low-tack tape and smooth out any bubbles using a squeegee.

Using the tape, secure the leather on the laser bed to prevent misalignment when engraving.

Turn on the engraver machine, unlock the safety lock, and loosen the emergency stop button to get it to start working.

Start by setting the power low, at 20-40%, to prevent burning. Then set the speed at 250–400 DPI, 1000mm/min. In most cases, 1 pass is usually enough to achieve a deep, sharp burn. Once comfortable with the settings, use focus tools to set the lens to the best focal height for a clear, sharp image.

I recommend running a test sample before committing your main project to the settings, especially if you are not comfortable with laser engraving.

Connect the laser machine to the computer with your design, usually by USB cable, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. The computer should be able to detect it using its name, and if not, double-check if the laser is powered on or paused, then try again.

Press the “Frame” button to fill out the design’s outline. If your design as additional shapes, use Shift + Frame or Alt + Frame. The laser head starts tracing out the outline without firing the laser.

You can see this process if your laser has a red or blue dot pointer. It helps you see exactly where the design will be engraved so that you can adjust the leather patch accordingly.

When you are satisfied with all the settings and everything is in place, press the “Start” or “Engrave” button in your software. If you are using an offline controller, use the “Send” button to send the design to the laser.

Monitor the engraving process to ensure the leather does not curl or produce smoke or a fire. If everything is done correctly, the design should engrave cleanly.

When the laser engraver is done, it automatically shuts off the laser beam, and the laser head goes back to its “home” position. Depending on the software you use, you might receive a notification or a beep to show that the process is completed.

Let the leather sit for one minute after engraving without touching it to cool down. Then gently peel off all the tape used and wipe off any adhesive left behind using rubbing alcohol or leather-safe adhesive removers.

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off any soot, but avoid soaking the leather in water as it ruins the design.

This step helps to protect the design from fading, scratches, and moisture. You can use a leather conditioner like Lexol, leather balm, acrylic leather finisher, beewax polish, or resolene, depending on the type of finish look you are going for.

Dampen a soft cloth with the product and apply thin layers over the surface, paying more attention to the engraved areas. Apply 2 to 3 additional layers of sealant for outdoor use patches, then leave it to air dry for up to thirty minutes before handling. Afterwards, you can buff the polish to achieve a shiny, glossy look.

How you do this depends on the type of patch backing and how permanent you want it to be. Some leather patches have a heat-activated adhesive backing. You can use a heat press to press them onto the material.

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