Laser engraving on leather is a popular customization technique that allows for intricate designs on leather goods such as wallets and belts. Below are some settings and tips for CO2 laser engraving on leather:

Laser Engraving Machine Selection

A CO2 laser with a power range of 30-120 watts is recommended for leather engraving. Ensure the machine has high-resolution engraving capabilities and adjustable speed and power settings. Examples include the Monport 40W CO2 Laser Engraver and the Monport 90W CO2 Laser Engraver & Cutter.

Leather Material Selection

Leather types suitable for laser engraving include full-grain leather, top-grain leather, genuine leather, bonded leather, split leather, deerskin, buckskin, synthetic leather, etc. Vegetable-tanned leather is ideal for achieving dark, contrasting marks.

Engraving Settings

• Power: Power settings depend on the leather thickness and desired engraving depth. Generally, start with a lower power setting and gradually increase it until the desired depth is achieved without burning the leather. For example, cowhide leather can be engraved at 20-30% power, faux leather at 10-15% power, and genuine leather at 15-25% power.
• Speed: Slower speeds result in deeper engravings, while faster speeds produce lighter engravings. Speed settings typically range from 300-500 mm/s. For instance, cowhide leather can be engraved at 500-800 mm/s, faux leather at 500-600 mm/s, and genuine leather at 300-500 mm/s.
• Frequency: Frequency settings usually range from 500-1000 Hz.
• Passes: In most cases, one pass is sufficient. However, for deeper engravings, multiple passes can be used, adjusting the laser settings slightly each time.

Pre-Engraving Preparation

• Material Preparation: Use strong magnets or other fixation methods to secure the leather onto the workbed to prevent movement during engraving.
• Design Preparation: Create or upload the engraving design to the laser engraving software, such as LightBurn. Convert the design to grayscale and adjust brightness as needed. Resize the image to the exact dimensions required for engraving.
• Machine Setup: Upload the design to the laser engraver and adjust parameters like power, speed, and resolution based on the leather type and desired engraving depth. For detailed engravings, a resolution of at least 300 DPI is recommended.

Engraving Process

Use the laser engraver's auto-focus feature to measure the leather thickness and ensure the engraving is performed at the optimal depth. Align the design with the material using the software's framing function to confirm that the engraving area is centered under the laser head. Then, start the engraving process.

Post-Engraving Processing

• Cleaning: Wipe the leather with a leather cleaner or a microfiber towel dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove burn marks or stains, ensuring the engraved areas are clean.
• Treatment: Apply beeswax, saddle soap, or leather conditioner to the laser-engraved leather. Allow it to rest until completely dry. Then, cover the leather with a protective leather sealer and let it air dry to preserve the material and the engraving.
• Color Enhancement: To achieve black engravings, apply a thin layer of masking tape or specialized laser mask to the engraving area before engraving. After engraving, use a leather dye or blackening agent specifically designed for leather work. Carefully apply it to the engraved area and wipe off any excess from the surface.

Other Tips

• Testing: Always test the settings on a small piece of leather or scrap material beforehand to determine the optimal settings for the specific leather type and desired results.
• Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation during the engraving process to avoid inhaling harmful fumes, particularly when engraving synthetic leather.
• Safety: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety goggles and gloves, and follow fire safety precautions.

The following table provides common settings for engraving different types of leather with the Mega CO2 Laser Engraver: