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Engraving & cutting

Laser Engraving on Leather and Fabric

A free quote from laser engravers and cutting shops across South Africa. One job sheet, no obligation.

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Tan leather patches engraved with geometric and botanical motifs beside a leather wallet on a workbench
Process
Engrave and cut
Laser source
CO2 or diode
Materials
Veg-tan leather, PU leatherette, felt, denim
Power
30 to 100 W CO2
Turnaround
3 to 7 working days

Laser engraving on leather burns a rich, dark design into the surface with no ink and no wear, while a laser can also cut leather, fabric and denim into clean shapes with sealed edges. LaserEngraver.co.za is a free quote referral service: you send one form with your items, quantities and design, and we pass it to independent leather engravers and laser cutting shops near you, who quote you directly. We do not engrave, cut or sell anything ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation. It suits a single wallet as well as a run of 500 cap patches.

Leather laser engraving and cutting: popular jobs

  • Leather patches for caps, jackets, bags and branded merchandise
  • Wallets, card holders, belts and key fobs engraved as gifts
  • Notebooks and journal covers for corporate gifts and conferences
  • Laser cutting leather for earrings, coasters, bag panels and pattern pieces
  • Laser cutting on fabric for appliqué, felt shapes, upholstery and costume pieces
  • Laser engraving jeans and denim jackets with faded patterns

For gift ideas see personalised gifts and corporate gifts.

Which leather and fabrics work best

Vegetable-tanned leather gives the best, darkest contrast and a pleasant warm smell. Chrome-tanned leather engraves but tends to look lighter, and some shops limit it because of the fumes. Faux leather (PU leatherette) engraves cleanly in two tones, but PVC and vinyl must never be lasered, as they release chlorine gas, so tell the shop exactly what material you have. For fabric, cotton, felt, polyester and denim cut well; synthetics melt and seal the edge so they do not fray. All of this is done on a CO2 laser, the same type used for wood laser cutting.

Leather engraving prices and lead times

As a guide in 2026, engraving on an item you supply costs about R30 to R120, depending on the size of the design. Leather patches cut and engraved from the shop's own hide run about R15 to R60 each in quantities of 100 or more, with a set-up fee of R150 to R450. Fabric cutting is usually priced per sheet or per metre of cut line. Most orders take three to seven working days, longer when patches must be stitched or heat-pressed onto caps.

Files, sizes and what to ask

Send a vector file (SVG, DXF, AI or PDF) for cut shapes, and a high resolution image for engraving. Give the finished patch size, for example 60 x 40 mm, the leather colour and thickness, and whether the shop should supply backing, glue or stitching. Ask for a sample engraving on your actual leather, because hides vary in colour and take the burn differently. Dark leather shows a subtle tone-on-tone mark, which looks classy but can be hard to read from a distance.

What to include in your request

  • Say what leather or fabric you have
  • Give patch or item sizes in mm
  • State the quantity and deadline
  • Send a vector file or clear image
  • Mention stitching, backing or caps

Leather Engraving for different customers

  • Gifts and keepsakes: an engraved leather wallet, belt or key fob as a gift for a partner or dad
  • Weddings and events: engraved leather coasters, luggage tags or bookmarks as wedding and party favours
  • Schools, clubs and churches: leather patches for club caps and jackets, and engraved notebooks for prize-giving
  • Businesses and brands: engraved leather notebooks, card holders and cap patches for branded gifts
  • Shops, restaurants and venues: leather patches for clothing ranges and engraved menu covers for restaurants
  • Factories, engineering and mines: cut gaskets, felt pads and fabric pieces made to a drawing in volume
  • Makers and resellers: crafters ordering cut leather blanks or outsourcing engraving on goods they sell
  • Farms and agri businesses: engraved leather patches and saddlery tags for farm wear and gift shops

Frequently asked questions

Does LaserEngraver.co.za engrave leather?
No. We only connect you with independent leather engravers and laser shops. You send one free request, they quote you directly, and you decide who to use. There is no fee and no obligation.
Can you laser engrave faux leather?
PU leatherette engraves well and shows a two-tone design. PVC or vinyl leatherette cannot be lasered safely, so check the label or ask the supplier before you order.
Will the engraving fade or wear off?
No. The design is burnt into the leather, so it ages with the item. Conditioning the leather now and then keeps the engraving crisp and stops it drying out.
Can a laser cut denim and fabric without fraying?
Yes. The laser seals the edges of synthetic fabrics as it cuts, and natural fibres fray far less than with scissors. Denim can also be engraved to create faded patterns.

Leather Engraving by province and city

More laser services and supplies

Engraving & cuttingLaser engraving, cutting and marking on wood, acrylic, metal, glass, leather and tube

Gifts, awards & signagePersonalised and corporate gifts, trophies, signage and decorative screens

Laser machinesEngraving, cutting, fibre, CO2, welding and cleaning lasers for sale

Supplies & supportAcrylic sheets, MDF board, laser tubes, lenses, parts and repairs

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Fill in the job sheet: what you want made or bought, how many, the material and where you are. Laser shops, dealers and suppliers who work in your area quote you directly. Free, no obligation.

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