Leather settings from a lot of trial and error. Veg tan only — chrome-tanned leather releases chromium compounds and PVC-backed "leatherette" releases chlorine. Don't.
Engraving (LP4 diode, 4mm veg tan):
- Power 45%, speed 3000 mm/min, 1 pass, 800 DPI, air assist on
Cutting 2mm veg tan:
- Power 100%, speed 400 mm/min, 1 pass, air assist on high
Three things that fix a muddy engrave:
- Dampen the surface slightly with a sponge before engraving. Leather engraves darker and crisper when very slightly damp, and it reduces the fuzzy halo.
- Go faster with more power rather than slow with less. Slow burns spread heat sideways into the fibres.
- Wipe with a barely-damp cloth afterwards to lift the surface soot. Leather holds smoke residue in the grain and it looks like a bad engrave until you clean it.
Thickness matters more than you'd expect — 2mm and 4mm from the same hide need noticeably different power.
