Laser Settings Guide: Perfect Engraving on Leatherette Sheets
Laser Settings Guide: Perfect Engraving on Leatherette Sheets
Getting consistent, professional results when laser engraving leatherette requires the right settings for your machine. Whether you're using an xTool, Thunder Laser, or another CO2 laser, this comprehensive guide will help you achieve perfect engraving every time.
Understanding Laserable Leatherette Material
Laserable leatherette is a premium polyurethane (PU) material that offers the authentic look and feel of genuine leather at a fraction of the cost. Unlike real leather, leatherette engraves with crisp, dark contrast and won't crack, peel, or fade over time. It's perfect for creating custom wallets, journals, patches, beverage holders, and countless other personalized items.
Key Benefits:
- Consistent engraving results across all colors
- No animal products - 100% vegan friendly
- Durable and washable
- Available in multiple colors and patterns
- Affordable for both hobbyists and businesses
Recommended Laser Settings by Wattage
The key to perfect engraving is matching your settings to your laser's power output. Here are tested settings for optimal results:
35W Lasers (Entry-Level Machines)
- Speed: 300 mm/s
- Power: 15%
- DPI/Resolution: 225
- Passes: 1
- Best for: K40 lasers, compact desktop units
60W Lasers (Most Common)
- Speed: 455 mm/s
- Power: 12%
- DPI/Resolution: 225
- Passes: 1
- Best for: xTool P2S, Full Spectrum, Epilog Zing
80W Lasers (Mid-Range)
- Speed: 500 mm/s
- Power: 10%
- DPI/Resolution: 225
- Passes: 1
- Best for: Thunder Laser, Boss Laser, Epilog Fusion
120W Lasers (Industrial)
- Speed: 600 mm/s
- Power: 8%
- DPI/Resolution: 225
- Passes: 1
- Best for: Trotec, Universal Laser Systems, large format machines
Color-Specific Adjustments
While the base settings above work for most colors, metallic finishes require slight modifications:
Silver and Gold Finishes:
- Speed: 500 mm/s
- Power: 7%
- DPI: 225
- Note: These colors engrave lighter than standard colors
Black Leatherette:
- Speed: 455 mm/s
- Power: 12%
- DPI: 225
- Note: Provides the highest contrast - perfect for detailed designs
Light Colors (Rawhide, Light Brown, Khaki):
- Use standard settings
- Expect dark brown/black engraving for maximum contrast
Dark Colors (Dark Brown, Navy, Gray):
- Use standard settings
- Engraving will appear as lighter etched areas
Cutting Leatherette Sheets
If you're cutting shapes from larger sheets, use these settings:
60W Laser Cutting Settings:
- Speed: 20 mm/s
- Power: 80%
- Passes: 1-2 (depending on thickness)
Pro Tip: Always do a test cut on scrap material first, as cutting settings can vary based on your specific machine and air assist setup.
xTool-Specific Settings
For xTool users, here are recommended settings by model:
xTool F1 (10W Diode + 2W IR)
- Engrave (Diode): Speed 6000 mm/min, Power 60%, DPI 254
- Engrave (IR): Speed 4000 mm/min, Power 80%, DPI 254
- Score: Speed 3000 mm/min, Power 40%
- Cut: Speed 100 mm/min, Power 100%, Multiple passes
xTool F1 Ultra (20W Diode + 2W IR)
- Engrave (Diode): Speed 8000 mm/min, Power 50%, DPI 254
- Engrave (IR): Speed 5000 mm/min, Power 75%, DPI 254
- Score: Speed 4000 mm/min, Power 35%
- Cut: Speed 150 mm/min, Power 100%, 2-3 passes
xTool F2 (20W Diode)
- Engrave: Speed 7000 mm/min, Power 55%, DPI 254
- Score: Speed 3500 mm/min, Power 38%
- Cut: Speed 120 mm/min, Power 100%, Multiple passes
xTool F2 Ultra (22W Diode)
- Engrave: Speed 8000 mm/min, Power 50%, DPI 254
- Score: Speed 4000 mm/min, Power 35%
- Cut: Speed 150 mm/min, Power 100%, 2 passes
xTool M1 Ultra (10W Diode)
- Engrave: Speed 6000 mm/min, Power 55%, DPI 254
- Score: Speed 3000 mm/min, Power 35%
- Cut: Speed 150 mm/min, Power 100%, Multiple passes
xTool P2S (55W CO2)
- Engrave: Speed 300 mm/s, Power 12%, DPI 225
- Score: Speed 150 mm/s, Power 8%
- Cut: Speed 15 mm/s, Power 75%
xTool P3 (55W CO2)
- Engrave: Speed 300 mm/s, Power 12%, DPI 225
- Score: Speed 150 mm/s, Power 8%
- Cut: Speed 15 mm/s, Power 75%
Note: Diode lasers (F1, F1 Ultra, F2, F2 Ultra, M1 Ultra) work best on lighter colored leatherette. CO2 lasers (P2S, P3) provide superior results across all colors.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
1. Material Preparation
- Remove protective film if present before engraving
- Wipe surface with a lint-free cloth to remove dust
- Ensure material is flat and secured with masking tape or magnets
2. Focus Your Laser
- Always use proper focus height for your machine
- For xTool: use the auto-focus feature or manual focus tool
- Manual focus: measure to the top surface of the material
3. Test First
- Run a small test engraving in a corner or on scrap
- Check contrast and depth before running full project
- Adjust power ±2% if needed for your specific machine
4. Design Considerations
- Minimum line width: 0.5mm for clean results
- Font size: 8pt minimum for readability
- Image resolution: 300 DPI or higher for photos
- File format: SVG for vectors, PNG/JPG for rasters
5. Ventilation & Safety
- Always use proper ventilation when laser engraving
- PU material produces minimal odor but still requires airflow
- Clean your laser's optics regularly for consistent results
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Engraving too light
- Solution: Increase power by 2-3% or decrease speed by 50 mm/s
Problem: Engraving too dark or burning through
- Solution: Decrease power by 2-3% or increase speed by 50 mm/s
Problem: Inconsistent depth
- Solution: Check focus height, clean optics, ensure material is flat
Problem: Blurry or fuzzy edges
- Solution: Reduce speed, check lens cleanliness, verify proper focus
Problem: Material warping during cutting
- Solution: Use lower power with multiple passes instead of single high-power pass
Best Practices for Different Projects
Wallets & Small Accessories
- Use 225 DPI for detailed designs
- Keep engraving depth shallow to maintain flexibility
- Test fold areas to ensure material doesn't crack
Beverage Holders & Koozies
- Engrave before assembly if possible
- Use jigs to hold curved surfaces flat
- Reduce power slightly on pre-formed items
Large Sheets
- Secure all corners to prevent movement
- Consider engraving in sections for very large designs
- Allow material to cool between passes if doing multiple items
Patches with Adhesive
- Engrave before removing adhesive backing
- Keep adhesive side down on laser bed
- Clean any residue from laser bed after cutting
Advanced Techniques
Photo Engraving
For photorealistic engraving on leatherette:
- Convert image to grayscale
- Adjust contrast to 60-70%
- Use 300+ DPI resolution
- Dither using Jarvis or Stucki algorithm
- Test on scrap first
Multi-Color Projects
Create depth by engraving at different power levels:
- Light details: 8% power
- Medium tones: 12% power
- Dark areas: 15% power
Combining Engraving & Cutting
- Engrave first (lower power)
- Cut second (higher power)
- This prevents shifting and ensures clean edges
Care & Maintenance After Engraving
- Cleaning: Wipe with damp cloth, mild soap if needed
- Storage: Keep flat or rolled (engraved side out)
- Durability: Engraving is permanent and won't fade
- Finishing: Apply leather conditioner for extra sheen (optional)
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