Laser Engraved Leather Patches

Making a good leather patch starts with good leather.

We prioritize quality and sustainability by using Hermann Oak Expedition 1881 top grain or Bridle leather for our laser engraved custom patches. This leather is 100% vegetable-tanned with organic, plant-based materials like leaves, bark, and acorns, ensuring an environmentally friendly product.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Hermann Oak Leather Company has been crafting leather since 1881. They originally supplied the local harness trade and wagon trains for settlers along the historic Lewis and Clark Trail, adding a rich heritage to our leather products.

The foundation of an exceptional patch lies in the quality of the leather itself. By choosing top-tier materials, we ensure that our products stand out in appearance and durability. Quality leather gives us the best chance for a great outcome, and this commitment to excellence is evident in every custom patch we create.

Take, for example, these two custom hats featuring premium leather. In the first image, you can see our "Mantua Farms" hat, which showcases a 5oz saddle tan leather, an intricate design, and a rich texture that only high-quality leather can provide. The second image highlights our "#CloudDelivered" corporate hashtag hat, where the 4-5oz honey leather adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to the overall design.

By prioritizing top-quality leather, we enhance the aesthetic appeal of our products and ensure their longevity and resilience. Each leather patch tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication to excellence, making our custom hats a true testament to the value of using superior materials.

What Leather Color Options Are Available for My Patches?

We offer a range of leather colors, each with unique characteristics.

For those who appreciate the allure of darker tones like Black and Chocolate, be aware that designs engraved on these colors appear in black, resulting in a subtle contrast. This effect is elegantly understated but may not be as prominent as lighter engravings.

For a striking and highly visible design, consider our black faux leather with Silver engraving. This combination provides the look of a dark base with the sharp clarity of Silver, which is revealed as we lightly engrave away the top layer of the black faux material. Laser etched designs stand out beautifully with this material.

Leather Patch Colors

Swatch Color	Contrast Visibility	Finish
Chestnut	Vivid	Natural, Smooth
	Vivid	Natural, Smooth
Honey	Vivid	Natural
Caramel	Vivid	Smooth
	Vivid	Smooth
	Vivid	Smooth
	Balanced	Natural, Smooth
	Subtle	Natural, Smooth
	Subtle	Natural
	Subtle	Natural
	Subtle	Natural
	Balanced	Natural

What is Contrast Visibility?

Contrast Visibility is a grade that we assign to the contrast that develops when we Laser etch the material.

For example, if we had yellow material that engraved black we would consider that to be high contrast. However, black material that engraves black produces a low contrast visibility aesthetic.

• Subtle: Low Contrast Visibility - The differences between the material and engraved areas or colors are not very pronounced, making the overall appearance less distinct.
• Balanced: Medium Contrast Visibility - Engraved area differences are noticeable and clear, but not overly stark. It represents a middle ground where details are visible without extreme disparities.
• Vivid: High Contrast Visibility - Vivid implies a strong, dynamic range of contrast.This level of contrast makes details stand out sharply, offering a vibrant and compelling visual experience.

Vegetable Tanning or Chrome Tanned Leather?

The genuine leather we use for our patches is vegetable-tanned from the Hermann Oak Tannery. Tanning gives the leather its color.

The Vegetable tanning process uses only organic materials such as tree bark, acorns, and leaves. While chrome tanning allows for a wider range of colors and shorter production times, we exclusively use organic materials to ensure the best results with our laser engraving and specifically avoid putting ingredients related to Chrome tanning under the laser.

Faux Material

We have also begun offering faux leather if you prefer something other than leather. Faux offers a variety of colors with a genuine leather look! Our faux material is also lightweight and scratch-resistant, ensuring durability and quality.

Laser Safe Material

Some materials are not environmentally friendly and we don't want that material in our shop under the heat of a Laser. So, we look for a Certificate of Conformity before acquiring faux material. We'll only offer faux options that are environmentally safe to Laser. So, no SVHC, PVC, Neoprene, Hydrogen Chloride, or Vinyl Chloride.

Faux Leather Color Options

Faux Leather Colors

Swatch Color	Engrave Color	Contrast Visibility	Finish
	Dark	Vivid	Smooth
	Dark	Vivid	Smooth
	Dark	Subtle	Smooth
	Dark	Vivid	Smooth
	Silver	Vivid	Smooth
	Red	Vivid	Smooth

FAQs About Our Patches

Q: What is a standard size for a hat patch?

A: It really depends on the shape of the logo, but generally on a standard trucker cap, we have 3" of width and 2.25 to 2.5" of height to work with. The lower the crown, the lower we adjust the height. It's ideal to position the patch vertically in the center without having the patch go up into the curvature of the hat.

Q: What leather options are available for patches?

A: We use Hermann Oak Expedition 1881 top grain or Bridle leather, which is 100% vegetable-tanned using organic, plant-based materials. This ensures a high-quality, environmentally friendly product. We also offer faux leather in various colors for those who prefer it.

Q: How does the engraving visibility vary with different leather colors?

A: Darker leathers like Black and Chocolate create a subtle contrast, while lighter leathers like Chestnut and Saddle Tan provide a vivid contrast. Faux leather options can offer striking visibility, such as Black faux leather with Silver engraving.

Q: What is the difference between vegetable-tanned and chrome-tanned leather?

A: Vegetable-tanned leather uses organic materials like tree bark, acorns, and leaves, ensuring no harmful chemicals are used. Chrome-tanned leather allows for a wider range of colors and quicker production times, but we avoid it due to the coloring chemical process and to ensure the best results with our laser engraving process.

Q: How do I place a custom order?

A: Follow these steps to order from our Leather Patch Collection:

1. Select a leather or faux material color.
2. Choose a shape.
3. Upload your artwork.
4. Select an adhesive option (for tags, we recommend no adhesive).
5. If necessary, opt for vector art conversion.
6. Provide project details in the order notes. We will review everything, create a digital mock-up and a physical sample, and send photos for your approval before proceeding.

Continue Reading

Now that you know what our leather options are, why not have a look at some hats?

• Interested in '47 Brand Hats? Look at our write up on the '47 Brand Clean Up and Trawler Caps
• Want Hats for your business? Take a look at our Personalized Patch Hats for your Business
• Looking for a Contract Decorator to provide leather patch services? Check out our Step by Step Process of Working with a Contract Leather Patch Decorator.
• Shop the best hats for leather patches!
• Are you interested in ordering Leather Patches or Tags? Order your custom Leather Patches and Tags here.