A Guide on working with leather laser cutters

Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material used to make many beautiful and high-end products including handbags, wallets, belts, key rings, wine bags, and more.

Cutting leather with a laser cutter from MaxLaser is a precise and efficient way to create intricate designs, cut shapes, and engrave patterns. Laser cutting allows for great precision and consistency, making it a popular choice for leather crafters.

Read more below if you want to know more about how to laser-cut leather.

What you need to know

Safety precautions

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So consider the following safety precautions when doing laser cutter leather projects.

• Ventilation
  • Ensure proper ventilation in the workspace, as laser-cutting leather can release fumes and odours. A well-ventilated area or exhaust system is crucial.
• Eye and Skin Protection
  • Always wear your safety glasses when working with lasers. Leather can produce smoke and sparks when cut, so consider wearing suitable clothing, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
• Fire Safety
  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, as laser cutting can create sparks that may pose a fire hazard.
• Material Ignition
  • Avoid using highly flammable or treated leathers as laser cutting can ignite certain types of leather, causing fires or damage to the material.
  • Consider using a honeycomb or gridded cutting table to prevent the laser from directly touching the leather.
• Smudging and Residue
  • Laser cutting can produce smoke and residue, which may stain or damage the leather’s appearance, so consider applying masking tape to the leather’s surface to reduce smoke stains.

Material usage and preparations

Preparation is key for successful laser cutter leather projects. Here are some tips to help prepare.

• Choose your Material
  • Choose the type and thickness of leather you want to work with. Different types of leather may require adjustments to laser settings.
• Prepare the Leather
  • Lay the leather flat on the honeycomb table and if needed, apply masking tape to the leather’s surface to protect it from scorch marks.
• Position the Leather
  • Secure the leather properly to prevent movement during cutting, as movement can result in uneven and misaligned cuts.
• Set Laser Parameters
  • Consult your MaxLaser laser cutter’s manual for recommended settings based on the leather type and thickness. Then input your machine’s appropriate power, speed, and frequency settings.
• Focus the Laser
  • Use the laser cutter’s focus tool to set the correct focal length, ensuring precise cuts.
• Start the Cutting Process
  • Double-check all your settings, safety measures, and material placement. Once everything is ready you can start the laser cutter and allow it to follow the design file. Make sure to monitor the process to ensure everything is cutting as intended.

Maintenance

Keeping your laser-cutting machine in good condition is crucial to producing excellent results.

• Cleaning
  • Regularly clean your laser cutter’s optics, focusing lens, and mirrors. Use lens cleaning kits designed for laser systems to prevent dirt and residue buildup.
• Exhaust System
  • Keep the exhaust system clean and ensure it’s functioning correctly. Clean or replace filters as needed to maintain efficient ventilation. You don’t want a project to be damaged due to a faulty exhaust system.
• Laser Tube
  • The laser tube in your machine has a finite lifespan, so make sure that you check the manufacturer’s recommendations and replace your laser tube when needed. For leather cutting, we recommend a laser of 40 W and above.
• Alignment & Calibration
  • Ever so often check and recalibrate the laser cutter’s alignment to ensure the laser is correctly focused and cutting accurately.
• Optics
  • Regularly inspect the condition of the laser optics to detect any damage or deterioration. Replace damaged optics as necessary.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes things go wrong while cutting leather with a laser cutter. Here are some possible solutions.

• Incomplete Cuts
  • If the laser isn’t cutting through the leather, check and adjust the laser power, speed, and frequency settings. Ensure the focusing lens is clean and properly aligned.
• Charring or Burn Marks
  • Charring or burn marks on leather may result from excessive laser power or too slow a speed. Adjust the settings and consider using masking tape to protect the leather’s surface.
• Inconsistent Cuts
  • Inconsistent cuts can occur due to variations in the leather’s thickness. Adjust the focus or consider using a material thickness calibration tool if available.
• Material Ignition
  • If the laser ignites the leather, immediately stop the machine and extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher (the one you are keeping close by). Review your laser settings and use non-flammable or less flammable leather types.
• Misaligned Cuts
  •  Misaligned cuts may occur due to issues with the laser cutter’s calibration, the file design, or material that moved. Check the alignment and the accuracy of the design file, and make sure the material is secure.
• Maintenance Warnings
  • Pay attention to any warning lights, messages, or alarms on your laser cutter’s control panel, and consult the user manual or manufacturer for specific guidance on addressing these warnings.

Possible creations

You can create some incredible laser cutter leather projects. Here is a list of just a few of them.

• Custom Leather Accessories

• Wallets, Belts, Keychains

• Leather Engraving

• Personalised monograms, Intricate patterns, Artistic designs

• Leather Jewelry

• Necklaces, Rings, Bracelets, Earrings

• Leather Home Decor

• Coasters, Table placemats, Wall art, Leather lampshades

Conclusion

We have now given you some tips on how to laser-cut leather, including safety precautions, material usage, maintenance, troubleshooting, and how many incredible creations you can laser-cut leather for.

MaxLaser offers incredible laser cutting machines with which you can cut and engrave leather, as well as many other materials. Browse our selection of high-quality laser-cutting machines and pick the perfect one for you.

If you ever need some assistance with your laser cutter or want to order one to start your laser-cutting journey contact our friendly team of experts, and we will see how we can help you.