Shop guides
Laser engraving and patch hats, from the workbench
How we think about the gear and the steps behind a custom patch hat or an engraved gift. Written for anyone starting out, from a hobby laser to a small side business.
- Buying guide · 8 min read
Choosing a laser for leather patch hats
Diode, CO2 or fiber: what each laser type does well on leatherette and leather patches, and how to pick one for a small hat business.
- How-to · 9 min read
How to make leather patch hats, start to finish
The whole process, from artwork to a finished hat: designing the patch, engraving and cutting it, and attaching it to the hat so it stays on.
- Buying guide · 5 min read
Leatherette or real leather for laser patches
How laserable leatherette and genuine leather compare on look, cost, durability and how they behave under a laser, and which to choose for which order.
- How-to · 6 min read
Heat press, stitching or glue: attaching patches to hats
The three ways to put a leather patch on a hat, what each costs in time and gear, and which one holds up.
- How-to · 6 min read
Engraving tumblers: what you need and what to avoid
How powder-coated and bare stainless tumblers are engraved, why you need a rotary, and which laser does which finish.
- Buying guide · 6 min read
Laser engraving starter kit: everything besides the laser
The safety gear, ventilation, software and supplies a new laser shop needs on day one, and what can wait.