How to Print on Leather: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

An interesting way to customize wallets, bags, phone cases, or any leather goods is to print on leather. You can brand products, print gifts, or test new creative methods.

At first glance, the process might seem a little technical. But once you understand how it works, you’ll see that printing on leather is more accessible than it seems. 

To print on leather, you need to select a flat grain leather surface, clean it thoroughly with alcohol, and use either a UV printer with flexible inks or a UV DTF transfer process.

With the right tools, a clean surface, and the right type of leather, you can get professional looking results right at home or in your small studio. 

So let’s walk through the whole process together!

Step 1: Choosing the Right Leather for Printing

Picking the right kind of leather is critical for good printing.

Vegetable-tanned leather is considered the best because it has a smooth surface that accepts ink well. The natural texture of this leather can do well with either a finish or no finish.

Chrome-tanned leather can also be used, but you’ll need UV inks that are specially made for it. This leather is more processed and mass-produced, so it behaves a bit differently under the printer.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, synthetic leathers will be very cheap, vegan alternatives. This material works especially well with UV DTF transfers.

However, it's best to avoid leathers that are waxed, oily, or heavily textured. These types, including suede, tend to resist ink, which can lead to blurry, patchy, or faded prints.

Step 2: Prepare the Leather Surface

Before you start printing, you’ll want to make sure the leather is completely clean. This is a step you definitely don’t want to skip.

First, wipe down your leather with an alcohol-soaked, lint-free cloth to remove any oils, dust, or residues. Let it dry well before printing.

A surface that is clean and very hard allows for pouring in printing, smearing, or alignment errors.

If the leather starts to curl, keep it weighted down lightly.

Step 3: Set Up the Printer

When you’re ready to print, you’ll need to use a printer that’s designed for UV printing. That means either a UV flatbed printer or a UV DTF printer.

Before printing, adjust the print head height by hand to fit the thickness of your leather. This helps avoid printing mistakes or the print head hitting the leather.

If your UV printer has auto height detection, you can use that to set the height quickly and accurately.

For the eufyMake E1, you also need to calibrate the Snapshot camera. This stops the print from shifting by making sure the printer knows exactly where the leather is.

Preferably, do a test print on scrap leather to verify alignment and color accuracy.

Step 4: Customize the Design on the Software

When your printer is ready, it's time to design. Graphic design software will allow you to create your custom artwork.

A great website to do that in is eufyMake's Make It Real Design Platform. Click "Customize This Design" and then create your account to log in. You may add graphics, text, or brand elements, move things around, change color, and size to fit the leather piece.

Export your design in a supported format such as PNG, SVG, or JPEG.

Step 5: Start Printing on the Leather

When your design is ready and the leather is cleaned and in place, you’re ready to print.

Make sure the leather is flat and secured on the print bed. You can use a jig or a bit of tape to keep it from moving. This helps ensure the print goes exactly where it should.

Step 6: Curing and Finishing

Additional exposure to a UV lamp or natural sunlight can improve durability, especially around the edges.

Once dry, apply a clay sealant or leather protective coating to make it more resistant to friction and moisture. Allow the printed leather to forever sit undisturbed for 24 hours for best results before use or packaging.

Tips for High-Quality Leather Printing

Want your printed leather to stand out and last long? Here are some expert tips. Learn the following to get high-quality leather printing.

Try UV DTF Printing

If you want a more flexible process or you’re working with curved leather surfaces, UV DTF printing might be the better choice.

Instead of printing directly onto the leather, you print the design on a transfer film first. Then you press it onto the leather, sometimes using heat or pressure. T

his is especially useful for round or textured items, such as wallets with folds or cylindrical cases.

Select the Right UV Ink

Choosing the right ink is just as important as choosing the right leather.

For leather printing, you should use soft UV inks made for flexible materials. These inks contain special polymers that let the print bend and stretch with the leather, so it won’t crack or peel

Always check your printer manufacturer's ink recommendations. Using the wrong type of ink can lead to poor results or even damage your printer.

In general, avoid using generic or low-quality inks, especially for leather printing.

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

Here are common leather printing issues and how to prevent them:

1. If your ink isn’t sticking to the leather, chances are the surface wasn’t properly cleaned. Always wipe the leather with alcohol and allow it to dry completely before printing.
2. If your colors look dull or faded, you might be using a low-resolution image, or the ink might not be bonding well. Adding a white base layer under your design often helps, especially on darker leather. And make sure your ink is formulated for leather use.
3. If your print smears or rubs off easily, it could mean the ink didn’t cure properly. Try exposing the item to a UV lamp again, and apply a sealant for extra protection.
4. If the leather warps during printing, that could be due to heat exposure or the material being too thin. Try using thicker leather or securing the edges more carefully during the print process.

How to Transfer Images to Leather Using UV DTF

If your item has a strange shape like a ball or a curved bag that cannot fit inside a printer, you should try the UV DTF method. This process uses special UV DTF AB film to turn your design into a permanent transfer that you can apply by hand.

• Prepare the Transfer Film: You first print your design onto the A film (the adhesive sheet) using your UV printer. Once printed, you must laminate the B film (the carrier sheet) over it. This creates a sandwich where the ink is protected and ready to be moved.
• Surface Preparation: Wipe the leather surface thoroughly with alcohol to remove any natural oils or waxes. This is the most critical step because the adhesive will not stay on a greasy surface.
• Application: Peel away the A film to expose the sticky side of the design. Place the B film with the design exactly where you want it on the leather.
• The Burnish: Use your thumb or a flat plastic tool to rub the design very hard through the B film. This pressure makes the glue stick deep into the grain of the leather for a permanent bond.
• Final Peel: Slowly peel away the B film. Your design should remain perfectly joined to the leather.

Because this process is very hands-on, it can be helpful to see it in action.

If you need more help, please check our separate guide with pictures to see how to make UV DTF transfers.

Best Leather Printing Machine For Home

If you’re looking for a reliable leather printer, the eufyMake E1 is a popular choice for custom leather printing. It’s easy to use, gives you sharp, colorful results, and works well for all kinds of leather projects

Final Thoughts

Whether creating unique gifts for a special occasion or producing a batch of branded leather accessories, knowing how to print on leather will take your work to the next level.

The printer and inks can be used for leather printing to produce beautiful results that are durable and eye-catching. Go ahead and experiment until you get your process down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print on all types of leather?

Not all of the varieties of leather are suited for printing. Smooth and firm leathers, such as vegetable tanned or PU leather, remain best for consistent and vibrant prints. Oily, suede, or heavily textured leathers should be avoided as they may repel ink and fail to adhere.

Why is my printed leather cracking?

What tends to cause cracking is when the ink is not flexible enough to move with the leather, or the curing of the print is incomplete. Flexible UV inks, made for leather, and a protective finish help prevent cracking or at least reduce it on pieces that bend or stretch quite often.

What does UV light do to leather?

The short burst of light from the printer will not hurt your leather or make it dry during the printing process. However, leaving your finished leather project in the sun for a long time can make the material hard and cause the colors to fade. You should use a leather conditioner after printing to keep the material soft and protect it from the environment.

Can you put UV DTF stickers on leather?

You can definitely use these stickers on leather and they work best on smooth surfaces like wallets or belts. You should avoid using them on fuzzy materials like suede or very oily leathers because the glue will not be able to grab the surface properly.