Everyone loves a leather belt, a wallet, or even a pair of shoes with a pattern or a logo engraved on them. It’s a fashion statement that is generally very trendy. But a lot of work goes into engraving that leather and then cleaning up afterward.
Using a less processed cleaner like saddle soap can be an effective solution. Laser engraving on leather can give you great results that have high resolution and are very precise. But to achieve that, leather needs to be cleaned up properly after it has been engraved.
There are many ways to clean leather after engraving it, but it is not advised to use cleaners with many chemicals added to them because they might ruin the leather by reacting with it.
It is important to test out the cleaner on a small scrap of leather to see if it suits the type of leather you are using. If you are only etching leather and not cutting it entirely, you can tape its surface and engrave it onto it. This makes the clean-up easier.
If you want to learn more about engraving leather, keep reading ahead.
What Is Laser Engraving?
Before getting into the specifics, it is important to understand the practice of engraving itself.
Laser engraving uses the heat produced by laser beams to vaporize the surface of an object and cut deep, permanent marks into it. This practice is used for industrial and domestic purposes and can be used to engrave objects to your liking.
What Makes Leather Suitable For Engraving?
Leather is easy to cut and does not take as much heat or effort to engrave. The engravings on leather are permanent and high resolution; they have a lot of precision. Leather also offers deep contrast, making the engravings stand out. Many textile industries engrave leather, but leather can also be engraved to make customized gifts.
To learn how to do this, watch the video below.
How To Clean Up Leather Once It Is Engraved?
Leather is relatively simple to clean up, but there are a few things to remember.
Avoid The Use Of Highly Processed Chemicals
Highly processed cleaners or chemicals might have substances that can react with the leather and cause further damage; they should be avoided. Any cleaner you use should be first tested on a small scrap of leather to see if it reacts well.
Go For Safer Cleaning Options
Using simple techniques like water and a cloth to remove the char and clean up the leather, regular soap, or even baby wipes is an effective solution. These materials generally don’t react badly with leather and can work very efficiently. A horse brush can also be used to remove the char.
Making Use Of Masking Tape
If you are only etching a smaller portion of the leather, that portion can be covered in tape. After the engraving is done, the tape can simply be removed and the char dusted off.
The Bottom Line
Engraving leather is efficient, economical, and easy. It also produces great results and is used in many industries. The best part about it is that the clean-up is not complex at all; it can simply be done using the right material, even at home!
