Does Glowforge work with leather?
The short answer is: Yes! In fact, you can do a lot with leather on your Glowforge. Whether you’re a new Glowforge owner or are thinking about getting one, you probably want to know how it works with leather. We’re here to help, and answer some of the most common leather-related questions. So let’s get to it!
What Can a Glowforge Do?
To begin, let’s take a step back. What does a Glowforge do, exactly?
Put simply, Glowforge is an easy-to-use cutting and engraving tool. We call it a 3D laser printer. It’s designed to be stylish and straightforward to use; it looks good in your crafting room, and lets you express your creativity in ways you probably never thought possible. With hundreds of compatible materials to choose from, it’s no surprise that creators all over the world use Glowforge to bring their ideas to life.
What Can You Make With a Glowforge?
Glowforge creators are constantly wowing us with their new ideas. Some are entrepreneurs, creating personalized products to sell online or at craft shows. Others love to make gifts, spreading the Glowforge love with unique family heirlooms. They’re always showing us their passion for making new things. Leather, of course, is a favorite material for creators, whether they’re designing small wallets or clutch purses, or iconic fashion statements like a sleek leather jacket.
If you ever need inspiration, head over to the Community page. Browsing the leather tag is sure to spark some ideas, and you can check recent threads for tips, tricks, and answers. If you really want to be inspired, check out this video profile of Ryan, a leatherworker who’s used his Glowforge to start a business.
Can Glowforge Cut Leather?
By now, it probably doesn’t surprise you to learn that, yep, the Glowforge can cut through all kinds of leather. Its laser is accurate to within 1/1000th of an inch, or about the width of a human hair. That means you can cut everything from straight lines to intricate shapes and rest assured the final product will look exactly like what you designed.
If you’re asking, “What can I make with a Glowforge and leather?,” we have plenty of great examples.
Take Chris, who works in the Halloween and haunted attraction industry. When a client requested leather plague doctor masks, a Glowforge made it easy to customize a wide range of leather shapes and cuts, all of which fit together beautifully for the final product. Another creator, KoAiren, used a Glowforge to create a fun and unique collection of leather-bound books, notebooks, and coin purses.
To see more of what you can do with leather, check out our Glowforge Discover Leather hub.
Leather engraved guitar strap by @studio_meraki_gifts
Can Glowforge Engrave Leather?
A lot of people ask, “Can you laser engrave leather with a Glowforge?” And again: yes. Yes, you can.
We’ve seen some great examples of creators engraving leather. For their daughter’s graduation trip to DisneyWorld, one Glowforge creator, jrbryant1 decided to create a customized leather backpack, featuring a Disney treasure map and the names of all their family members. The finished piece is a unique gift celebrating a very special occasion.
Still stuck for ideas? Visit the Glowforge Catalog for designs that are ready to print.
What is Proofgrade™ Leather?
If you’ve spent any time on the Glowforge website, you’ve probably seen the term Proofgrade. Proofgrade materials are materials specifically designed to work with Glowforge printers. All of the materials are tested to provide the best possible product, and the unique QR code on each piece of Proofgrade automatically tells your Glowforge exactly which settings to use for the perfect print.
We have two types of Proofgrade Leather: natural and dyed. Natural Proofgrade Leather is tanned with a toxin-free vegetable process, which means that you can apply oil, dye, and paint directly to the surface. It’s also ready for wet forming and embossing. The natural, unique beauty of this leather really soon shines through, and within months it’ll acquire a burnished glow.
Dyed Proofgrade Leather is a full-grain leather. It's vegetable-tanned and features a protective mask, meaning you can start etching it right away. Creators especially love the deep colors of Espresso Brown and Ebony Black, which add a sense of sleek sophistication to any project.
So, what can you make with a Glowforge and Proofgrade materials? That’s up to you. Our Proofgrade materials are perfect for any leather-based project that you can dream up. We can’t wait to see what you’ll make.
Do You Have More Questions?
Curious about Glowforge’s capabilities? Why not book a product demo? Our experts are ready and eager to answer all of your questions.
