Leather Experts - How can I replicate this Logo?

[darth_myeek]

How do leather companies, stamp metallic logos on leather?

This is an old 1960s/1970s leather strap for a Gretsch guitar, I found on ebay for a kazillion bucks. The new straps, use a different color of stitching and also no longer use the gold or silver lettering.

I am thinking I would need to:
1.) Emboss the text in the leather.
2.) Apply an adhesive where the embossed logo is.
3.) Lay silver or gold leaf into the adhesive.
4.) Brush excess leaf away.
5.) Seal the entire strap.

Thanks,
-DM

 

[Risu]

That sounds good. Getting the stamp made would be the most expensive part.

 

[PadawanLearner]

if you're wanting it to pass the 6ft mark (as in looks great up to 6 ft away)...create a stencil and then paint it on

 

[darth_myeek]

if you're wanting it to pass the 6ft mark (as in looks great up to 6 ft away)...create a stencil and then paint it on

Thanks PL.

I've joined a Grestch forum, and I am hoping a member wouldn't mind scanning his strap so I can make stencils.

Thanks Risu I agree. A stamp would be more than a vintage strap.

- Mike

 

[knightoftheroc]

Thanks PL.

I've joined a Grestch forum, and I am hoping a member wouldn't mind scanning his strap so I can make stencils.

Thanks Risu I agree. A stamp would be more than a vintage strap.

- Mike

If you are thinking of doing gold leaf, I'd love to see progress pics! As I understand it, and my info may be bad, idk- gold leaf onto leather is done with a heated stamp, which presses the leaf and the leather with the impression all at once, then the excess leaf is peeled off the leather. Considering this, I have to agree with Padawan Learner, too- a stencil and some paint would your best bet. The stamp would have to be made, and that alone could end up costing you more than the rest of your project.Also, considering the cost of gold leaf, the learning curve alone could bankrupt you, just in practice attempts.

I'd try embossing the logo with a straight edged tool, using a scan as a guide- same basic process as the gold leaf technique, and then painting the logo. This would give the embossed look with the gold coloring, and to anyone but an expert, would most likely pass as the real deal, especially if you use a good metallic paint.

 

[Kt Templar]

Thinking laterally, you could get a rubber stamp made out of the cleaned up artwork then use the stamp to apply size to the strap and then leaf. Ok, wouldn't get a stamped in effect but it might be more clean than a stencil.

Another is to get gold or silver water slide transfers made.

 

[darth_myeek]

Knightoftheroc & Kt Templar,

I love these ideas too. I'll practice these on some old belts.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[cheech9898]

A few things to look into.

I believe Tandy Leather still sells a decent gold color acyrlic paint for vegitable tanned leather.

Heat set embossing powders. 1) I know you used to be able to get at the craft/scrapbook stores a clear embossing ink with a heat set adhesive powder. Stamp/paint the clear embossing ink on, sprinkle with the adhesive powder, heat to melt the adhesive powder and sprinkle/press on glitter/flock/leaf, let cool & brush off excess. 2) clear embossing ink stamped/painted on and just gold embossing powder & heat set on.

 

[darth_myeek]

A few things to look into.

I believe Tandy Leather still sells a decent gold color acyrlic paint for vegitable tanned leather.

Heat set embossing powders. 1) I know you used to be able to get at the craft/scrapbook stores a clear embossing ink with a heat set adhesive powder. Stamp/paint the clear embossing ink on, sprinkle with the adhesive powder, heat to melt the adhesive powder and sprinkle/press on glitter/flock/leaf, let cool & brush off excess. 2) clear embossing ink stamped/painted on and just gold embossing powder & heat set on.

Thanks Cheech!! I'll check these out.

-DM