Laser Engraver for Leather
What is a Laser Engraver for Leather?
A laser engraver for leather is a specialized machine that uses a focused laser beam to etch designs onto leather with high precision and consistency, without direct contact. The laser selectively alters or removes the leather’s surface to create the desired design.
The Laser Types and Their Impact on Leather Engraving Efficiency
In leather engraving, the chosen laser type dramatically impacts both process and outcome. While commonly used CO2 lasers operate at 10.6 µm, leather absorbs blue laser beams approximately 10–20% more efficiently (varying by leather type). More importantly, blue laser solutions for leather engraving consume 4–5 times less electrical power than typical CO2 systems, making a blue laser engraver for leather roughly six times more energy-efficient with far lower operating costs.
Blue laser absorption on leather is driven by collagen (about 42.5–48% of tanned leather content) and melanin, both of which absorb blue light strongly. Overall blue-light absorption of leather is ~88% (blue light is visible; leather is not transparent to it), with ~11–12% surface reflection.
By contrast, CO2 laser interaction with leather depends more on residual water and hemoglobin content. Even very dry tanned leather contains at least 10% residual water, so CO2 exposure can dry areas around engravings and potentially disturb leather structure, leading to whitening or bending if parameters are not chosen carefully.
Blue 450 nm lasers are transparent to water and typically less thermally invasive, utilizing power more effectively and preserving leather texture. They are also compact, low-maintenance, and more energy-efficient than CO2 systems.
Although fiber lasers are electrically efficient, their common wavelengths are generally unsuited for leather (except specific cases like deer leather). Typical leather absorption at fiber wavelengths is much lower (≈84% lower than for blue), and fiber beams can damage leather patches. The chart below shows reflection rates of various leathers under different fiber wavelengths.
Conclusion: blue galvo lasers and blue laser heads are generally superior for leather engraving compared to CO2 and fiber lasers.
Blue Laser Engraver for Leather
Blue leather engravers come in two primary configurations to fit different scales and needs: standalone galvo laser engravers and laser heads for CNC routers.
Galvo Laser Engravers
Blue galvo engravers for leather, such as Opt Lasers’ GLE-30-B or GLE-50-B systems, deliver high-speed operation without sacrificing intricate detail. With optimized motion, leather engraving can be completed in seconds (dependent on leather type and parameters). Custom systems can reach speeds up to 79 in/s (2 m/s).
GLE-50-B Galvo Laser Engraver for Leather
These galvo systems streamline workflow for manufacturers who prioritize speed and accuracy. Opt Lasers can also provide galvo modules and select components for integration into production lines.
Learn More About Our Blue Galvo Laser Solutions
| Model | GLE-FS-30-B | GLE-FS-50-B | GLE-S-40-B | GLE-S-80-B | GLE-S-160-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center Wavelength | 450 nm | ||||
| Minimum Optical Power | 30 W | 50 W | 40 W | 80 W | 160 W |
| Working Distance | 180 mm or 350 mm or 650 mm | ||||
| Working Area | 100 × 100 mm or 200 × 200 mm or 300 × 300 mm | ||||
| Minimum Spot Size | 130 µm | 1200 µm | |||
| Operation Speed | up to 2000 mm/s | ||||
| Laser Electro-to-Optical Efficiency | 27% | 24% | 27% | 24% | 30% |
| Power Consumption | 200 W | 300 W | 200 W | 300 W | 600 W |
* Values provided for 170 mm working distance. † For angles ±10°.
For FS units the beam size can be easily scaled.
CNC Laser Engraver Add-on Kits for CNC Routers
For a lower entry cost, integrate blue laser heads with your CNC router. Heads such as XT-50, PLH3D-15W, and PLH3D-30W are compatible with popular machines (OpenBuilds, ShopSabre, Shapeoko, X-Carve, and more). This setup lets you engrave intricate designs and also cut thicker leather on the same platform.
This configuration performs especially well for cutting thicker leather (>1.4 mm):
- 0.055" (1.4 mm) – 0.098" (2.5 mm): bags, thicker wallets, book covers
- 0.079" (2.0 mm) – 0.098" (2.5 mm): straps, robust bags
- 0.110" (2.8 mm) – 0.137" (3.5 mm): belts, knife sheaths, shoe soles
If you already have a CNC machine, use the link below to find the best add-on kit to turn it into a CNC laser engraver for leather.
Laser Kits for All CNC Machines
If you don’t yet have a CNC router, you can opt for the LEAD CNC machine with BlackBox controller. Click this link to learn more and buy your LEAD CNC machine.
