Full Grain, Genuine, or Bonded: What Leather Engraves Best
Not all leather is the same, and the label on the tag doesn't always tell you what you're getting. Here's how to pick leather that engraves well.
Leather is one of the best materials to engrave, but not all leather behaves the same. The words on the tag, like genuine, top grain, and bonded, sound similar and mean very different things. Here's a plain-English guide.
The leather grades in plain English
Full grain is the top layer of the hide with nothing sanded off. It's the strongest and the most natural looking. Top grain has the surface lightly sanded, so it's smoother but a little less tough. "Genuine leather" is real leather, but it's made from lower layers of the hide and is usually thinner. Bonded leather is made from scraps ground up and glued together, and it behaves very differently.
Which leather engraves best?
Natural, vegetable-tanned leather in full grain or top grain usually gives the best result. The laser darkens the surface and leaves clean edges with good contrast. It also ages well, so the engraving looks richer as the leather develops its patina.
Why do some leathers engrave lighter?
Heavily finished or coated leather has a layer on top of the leather itself. The laser can burn that coating differently, which can leave the engraving lighter or less even. Very dark leather also shows less contrast, because there isn't much room between the color of the leather and the color of the burn.
Is faux leather safe to engrave?
It depends on what it's made of. Some synthetic leathers are polyurethane and can be engraved. Vinyl and anything with PVC cannot be laser engraved safely. If you're not sure what a piece is made of, ask us before you buy it for engraving.
How does leather color change the look?
Light tan and natural leather give the most contrast, with a rich brown engraving. Medium brown still looks good. Black and very dark leather can look subtle, which some people like. Tell us the color you're considering and we'll tell you what to expect.
Will the engraving hold up?
Yes. Engraving is cut into the leather rather than printed on top, so it doesn't peel or flake. Keep leather conditioned and out of constant moisture, and it will last as long as the piece does.
If you're picking out a wallet, journal, or tag for engraving, send us a photo and we'll tell you how it should turn out.