The Best Masking Tape For Laser Engraving Leather

[@ruftime]

Thank you! Yes, I use a similar tape….I know it as transfer tape, used also in vinyl transfer work, available in many widths, gentle on wood. I get mine from US Cutters, it pays to buy fresh commercial grade…….cause the cheap stuff is almost the same price.

[@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER]

Awesome I will also check out that source!

[@bobbyboy1962]

@@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER vinyl transfer pare is what i use as well on all my laser work

[@rcdeckjr]

I use this same stuff. It’s pretty good but I find that if you leave it on for an extended amount of time, it will pull up some of the finish of the leather. Sometimes I’ll mask a larger amount of leather and not use it all and would leave the rest on for another time. When I peeled it off though, it has the same effect as the first two tapes you demonstrated. Good video though and it’s still the best I have found as well!

[@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER]

Yeah I think its inevitable just with the nature of how we are using it. I need to invent one even better and go on Shark Tank lol.

[@rcdeckjr]

@@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER Yes please do and I will fully support you! :D

[@PINACI]

Laser masking tape is expensive. For those on a budget try sticking the tape to the top of your hand first which will cause the oils in your skin to cover the glue on the tape. You can also use fabric like your jeans to remove the stickiness. I also rub masking take over my laser engraving to help remove any black soot from the leather before it gets smudged.

[@rillsleather]

Another thing I found with regular tapes was that they leave a sticky surface right on the edge of a cut line, like the adhesive has been melted into the leather. It makes a clean dye job impossible because the dye can't soak in on those edges, whereas the rest of the surface that has had masking tape on it still accepts the dye. I'd be interested to see how this stuff works with laser cutting leather.

[@wpvisualbuilder5722]

Did you even find out?

[@fmaz1952]

Does it contain any vinyl?

[@CJMCreates]

Thank you for this! Have you tried this on metal objects?

[@406Montana]

Thanks Justin... I've been trying to find a tape that won't ruin the scrap so that I can make other products with it....later

[@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER]

Its great stuff!

[@406Montana]

@@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER I just used the link to buy the 18"roll..thanks again

[@adamrperkins]

Used your link to buy. Thanks!

[@Potatocustom]

I take it that it was the semi clear one you used? noticed there was that one and the clear, however the clear looked to be more of a plastic

[@neilgillies6943]

Maybe you should try tea bag paper and water - soaks up the smoke and the water just evaporates - no burned gooey adhesives. Works on wood and plastic well too. Tea bag paper is exactly that BTW, you can get it on a roll - a bit like tissue used for covering model aircraft.

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

I found a product that I sent a message to to ask if it can be used on leather. IKONART is the company name. However. It is for creating reusable stencils for applying paint or inks. Not sure if it would work with Indian ink. Or with our leather dyes. The film is a pressure application that peels off after use. I noticed it was $$$$, so might not be feasible on that aspect.

[@ulaB]

The product page lists "Material: Vinyl". Unless it's some "laser safe" kind, it will contain PVC and lasering that will produce hydrochloric acid and other bad toxic fumes.

[@johndavis3894]

How much does it effect the settings on your projects? I finally found the perfect setting for my project, but I applied masking which completely screwed up my process. I am having trouble finding a setting that works the way I need to for the finished product.

[@bluegrassboy]

Unfortunately we tried this with our Xtoo1 20w laser and it made for fuzzy borders no matter the power settings and it really affected the engraving depth as well. Expensive lesson. Green frog tape works well for us, but we can only find it in 2” width.

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

Have you tried checking the companies webpage to see if it is sold in wider rolls?

[@bluegrassboy]

@@susantipsyhealy7655 I did, and no luck.

[@edwardolivares5038]

I have a 20w xtool and trying to figured for best results . Tried engraving with no masking but I have issues with cleaning up the char 🥹🥹

[@bluegrassboy]

@@edwardolivares5038 Try masking with green frog tape. Get the seams as close as possible without overlapping.

[@mrgoodtime87]

Is there a decent laser that will be used strictly for 4-5oz leather hat patches? The xtool 20w seems too weak, and the entry level nova (or xomparable) is $7k. Anything in between? For like $3-4k? Thanks for your help

[@avilla7934]

Did you find an answer somewhere else? I’m interested too. I also have the 20w from xtool.

[@christopherriveracafe]

How do you clean the leather after you laser and remove masking?

[@bartstewart1807]

What about when you’re putting tape on the backside when you’re doing tooling to keep it from expanding what type of tape would be good for that I’ve been using clear packing tape

[@MAKESUPPLYLEATHER]

Hmmm Ive never tried that. I think this stuff might not be strong enough. Especially if it needed to attach to the flesh side. Maybe a standard wide painters tape would be good for that.

[@GreatJim54]

Packing tape works well on the backside. For that application, you are not concerned about the finish and you want something to keep the leather from “mushing.”

[@ting-qb6gg]

any recommendation on how to clean up the burned area and the smell?

[@PINACI]

Ironically I use regular masking take rubbed over my engraved image to remove soot. The burnt smell dissipates over time.

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

There are numerous schools of thought on that subject. Easy enough to search.

[@bb8luke221]

but this kind of masking tape always rolls away at the end of a youtube video

[@telwood15]

You can get low tack masking tape.

[@haxensalat]

Your suggested tape is made out of "vivyl" which is the same (short name) as PVC. Is everyone using PVC films?

[@cycleandhide]

its not vinyl, its a paper tape like is used for decal transfers

[@haxensalat]

@@cycleandhideeh, but if you click ion the amzon link, the item material description tells you "vinyl". So what exactly is "vinyl"? Here in the EU it is commonly used as a abbreviation for PVC. In the meanwhile I have found a local propper masking tape supplier, without any vinyl or PVC in it, but I am still interested to understand why so many youtubers recommend "vinyl" so often? Is it just a translation issue?

[@vlastimirjosic4516]

@@haxensalat I also wonder why everybody recommends this when it clearly says on amazon description that it containts chlorine (or exactly PVC). Would you be so kind and paste some sort of a link to this masking tape supplier or at least what would be the equivalent of this chlorine free masking tape you found? It would be of great help, thanks. :)

[@haxensalat]

@@vlastimirjosic4516 Hey, yes i did found one (took me some couple of days of reading forums, comments etc.). I don't know why the english speaking youtubers all talking about vinyl... It seems for the that they don't understand it well enough?!... Nevermind. Onmy suppliers homepage they tell you that they only sell to companies, but this is somehow not true :D. I'm located in Europe. So if you're from Europe, I could tell you the company and the product, just need to find my ordering email again. Please let me know if you're still interested.

[@vlastimirjosic4516]

@@haxensalat I would be very grateful, although I ordered some paper masking tape on amazon today, I would like to maybe compare both 😀 I am in Germany, yes 👌🏻

[@mikekiske]

Thank you.

[@avleathercraft648]

Interesting. On a different note, how to you deal with the smell of burnt leather? I bought a diode laser with the idea of cutting wallets parts, but the smell is horrible and it stays on the parts for days...:)

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

Use an enclosure, you can buy one or build your own. Second you need a source to pull the air from the box to the outside. Either through a wall or a window. All of this is on video. Clack shack is one source.

[@avleathercraft648]

@@susantipsyhealy7655 I do have an enclosure an extractor and a pump for air assist... leather still stinks and the burnt edges. I does go away eventually though

[@xolltar]

If a tape is too tacky, stick it on your jeans /shirt, then pull off.... every time you pull it off, it becomes less sticky

[@observer4322]

This is actually a really good idea! Thanks.

[@Jmatishek]

Someone told to use transfer tape

[@abacus4kidsgmailacc78]

Is the masking tape necessary? Can I engrave it directly?

[@Themaniacis_back]

Its needed if you want the best results

[@hueblo]

I don't believe it lists the same tape from the video. I purchased a small roll and it's clear. I tried it anyway but because it's clear it just burned up my projects

[@julil.597]

There are 2 different products on that page, a plastic and a paper, you have to switch to the paper option.

[@jordancurtis1]

I dont use any tape I just wash my leather parts after

[@pblais404]

If this is vinyl tape you shouldn't use on laser engraver/cutter. It gives off very toxic fumes that can also "gum up" you laser