Leather engraving is a cool way to make wallets, belts, bags, patches, journals, and other leather items your own. You can engrave leather by hand as they used to, or use a laser. Each tool gives you a different look in terms of detail, how consistent it is, how fast it goes, and how easy it is to learn. The best way to engrave leather for you will depend on what you want to do, how much you need to make, and how perfect you want it to be.
In this guide, we'll go over 6 common leather engraving tools / machines. I'll explain what each one is good at and bad at. I hope this helps you pick the right tool for what you need.
In this article:
- Part 1: 6 Essential Tools for Leather Engraving
- Tool 1: Laser Engraving Machines
- Tool 2: Cricut
- Tool 3: Swivel Knife
- Tool 4: Leather Stamping Tools
- Tool 5: Maul or Mallet
- Tool 6: Leather Carving Knife
- Part 2: Which Leather Engraving Tool Is Right for You?
- FAQ: Questions about Leather Engraving Tools
Part 1: 6 Essential Tools for Leather Engraving
Leather engraving can be done using a variety of tools, from modern machines to traditional hand tools. Each option offers different levels of precision, efficiency, and creative control.
In this section, we'll introduce six essential leather engraving tools / machines, outlining what they're best for and who they suit, so you can quickly find the right tool for your engraving needs.
Tool 1: Laser Engraving Machines
Laser engraving machines use a highly focused light beam to precisely mark the surface of leather. This allows for fine details, smooth shading, and consistent engraving depth, which are difficult to achieve with hand tools.
Laser engravers are ideal for logos, text, illustrations, and repeat patterns. Because designs are digitally controlled, every engraving comes out the same, making this tool perfect for custom orders, small businesses, and batch production.
With proper settings, a laser can engrave leather cleanly without cutting through or damaging the material. Modern machines, such as the LaserPecker LP4 dual-laser engraver, are specifically designed to handle materials like leather, offering high resolution, precise control, and fast engraving speeds.
Tool 2: Cricut
Cricut machines can work with thin, soft leather, mainly through cutting, debossing, or light surface marking rather than true engraving. Using tools like the Debossing Tip or Engraving Tip, Cricut can press designs into leather to create a subtle, embossed effect.
This method is suitable for simple patterns, text, and outlines, but it does not remove material or create depth like a laser engraver. Results depend heavily on leather type, with vegetable-tanned leather giving the best outcome.
Overall, Cricut leather engraving is a good option for hobbyists and light decorative leather projects, but it's not ideal for detailed, permanent, or large-scale leather engraving.
Tool 3: Swivel Knife
The swivel knife is essential for carving leather the traditional way. It lets you make cuts in damp leather.
It gives you room to be artistic, but using one well takes time. The results depend on how much pressure you use and your skill, so it's not ideal if you need consistent results.
Tool 4: Leather Stamping Tools
Stamping tools press patterns into leather using force. Use them for borders, textures, and as decorative elements.
Stamping offers a classic handmade feel, but you're stuck with the stamp's pattern. For complicated designs, you'll have to create your own stamps.
Tool 5: Maul or Mallet
You need a mallet to hit stamps and punches into leather. It's a must for hand tooling, but it doesn't leave marks on its own.
Your results depend on how hard and steadily you hit the tool. This can change from project to project.
Tool 6: Leather Carving Knife
Carving knives help you cut and shape leather. They work well for big and simple designs, but they're not precise for small text.
| Tool | Precision | Consistency | Speed | Skill Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Engraving Machines | Very High | Excellent | Fast | Low–Medium | Detailed designs, logos, batch production, custom orders |
| Cricut | Medium | Good | Medium | Low | Light leather cutting, debossing, simple decorative projects |
| Swivel Knife | High | Low | Slow | High | Traditional leather carving, freehand artistic designs |
| Leather Stamping Tools | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Repeating patterns, borders, textured effects |
| Maul or Mallet | — | — | — | Low | Striking stamping tools and carving tools |
| Leather Carving Knife | High | Low | Slow | High | Deep cuts, hand-crafted leather artwork |
Part 2: Which Leather Engraving Tool Is Right for You?
For modern makers and small businesses, laser engraving is often the most practical and efficient choice for working with leather. Taking the LaserPecker LP4 laser engraver as an example, it's easy to see why laser machines outperform traditional hand tools or mechanical engravers in many real-world scenarios.
Exceptional precision
Lasers produce clean, highly detailed results (8K Resolution), making them ideal for fine artwork, logos, and small text that are difficult to achieve consistently by hand.
Consistent, repeatable results
Every engraving follows the same digital design, which is essential for branding, batch production, and professional-quality products. The LaserPecker features a "engrave again" option on its touchscreen, which greatly improve the efficiency.
High efficiency and speed
Compared to manual carving or stamping, laser engraving is significantly faster (4000mm/s) — especially when producing multiple pieces or fulfilling custom orders.
Low learning curve
You don't need years of carving experience. Once you understand the design software and basic machine settings, you can start creating high-quality engravings quickly.
If you're selling leather goods, running a small business, or offering personalized products, a leather laser engraver like the LP4 can dramatically improve your workflow while delivering a clean, professional finish every time.
Part 3: Questions about Leather Engraving Tools
1. How Deep Should I Engrave Leather?
You don't need to go very deep to get a beautiful, long-lasting result. Shallow engraving is usually best—it provides good contrast and detail without damaging the leather.
Going too deep can make the leather stiff and more prone to cracking. With a machine, you can easily control the depth to achieve the perfect look without harming the material.
2. Can I Fix Mistakes Made While Engraving Leather?
Small mistakes are easy to cover with dye, shading, or extra decoration. Bigger errors are harder to fix, since leather doesn't “grow back.” That's why it's smart to test your design and settings on scrap leather first. Using a laser or other engraving machine helps a lot, because you can tweak settings digitally before engraving the final piece.
3. How Long Does It Take to Engrave Leather?
The time depends on your method and the design's complexity. Hand engraving can take hours, especially for detailed patterns. Machines like the LP4 are much faster—they can complete complex designs in minutes, which is perfect for small batches or multiple custom orders.
4. Do I Need a Special Type of Leather for Laser Engraving?
Veg-tanned leather is usually the best choice for consistent, high-quality results. You can experiment with other types, but always test first, especially with chrome-tanned or synthetic leathers. Avoid unfamiliar coatings or finishes—they might burn, melt, or discolor when engraved.
5. Leather Engraving vs. Leather Embossing: Which One Should I Choose?
Engraving removes material to create precise logos, text, or intricate designs—perfect for detailed, modern artwork. Embossing presses a design into the leather, creating a raised or recessed effect for a classic, handcrafted look. Choose engraving for precision and complex designs, and embossing for a traditional, tactile style.
Conclusion
Choosing the right leather engraving tool makes all the difference in achieving professional-looking results. Whether you're a hobbyist or running a small business, understanding the strengths of each tool—from laser engravers to swivel knives and stamping tools—helps you pick the best fit for your projects.
For precision, speed, and consistent results, modern laser engraving machines like the LP4 stand out, especially for detailed designs and custom orders. Traditional tools, on the other hand, offer a tactile, hands-on experience perfect for artisanal, handcrafted leatherwork.
No matter which method you choose, always test your design, control your engraving depth, and care for your leather properly. With the right tools and techniques, you can create beautiful, long-lasting leather pieces that are both functional and artistic.
