Leather Laser Engraving and Cutting Settings for TOOCAA NOVA & L2

Leather is a favorite material for laser work because it engraves with rich, dark contrast and cuts cleanly into precise shapes — no sanding or extra finishing needed. Whether you're making wallets, keychains, patches, or personalized accessories, using the correct leather laser engraving and cutting settings is essential for achieving deep, even marks and smooth cut edges without scorching or warping the material.

Not all leather behaves the same way under a laser. Color, thickness, and finish all affect how much laser energy the material absorbs — darker leathers generally engrave with more visible contrast, while lighter and thinner leathers can burn through or curl if the power is too high or the speed too slow. PU (polyurethane) leather, which is what most of TOOCAA's officially tested leather colors are made from, also reacts a little differently than full-grain natural leather. For this reason, it's always recommended to run a small material test before starting a full project, especially when using a new leather color, thickness, or batch.

In this guide, you'll find TOOCAA's official published leather laser engraving and cutting settings for the TOOCAA L2 (10W, 20W, and 40W diode modules) and the TOOCAA NOVA (10W, 20W, and 40W diode modules), along with practical material settings tables, step-by-step machine setup instructions, workflow guidance, and project ideas. Because TOOCAA has not published a complete settings table for every leather color at every power level, this guide clearly marks which parameters are currently unavailable rather than guessing at values.

Choose Your Leather Type

Selecting the right leather is just as important as dialing in the correct laser settings, since different colors and finishes respond differently to a diode laser.

PU (polyurethane) leather is the material TOOCAA's official settings tables are built around. It has a consistent, manufactured surface that engraves and cuts more predictably than natural leather, making it a reliable starting point for both hobby and small business projects.

Dark Brown Leather and other darker tones tend to absorb laser energy efficiently and engrave with strong, visible contrast.

Sky Blue, Light Brown, Green, and Orange Leather are lighter or more vividly colored and may need different power and speed combinations than darker leathers to achieve the same depth of engraving or a clean cut edge.

Other factors that influence the outcome include:

• Thickness – thicker leather needs slower cutting speeds or more passes to cut all the way through.
• Color and pigment – different dyes and pigments absorb laser light differently, so the same settings can look darker or lighter depending on the color.
• Surface finish – embossed, textured, or coated leathers may engrave less evenly than smooth leather.
• Heat sensitivity – too much power or too slow a speed can scorch, curl, or char the edges instead of producing a clean, defined line.
• Natural vs. PU leather – natural leather can vary in thickness and density across a single hide, so settings that work on one section may need adjusting on another; PU leather is generally more uniform.

Because leather colors, thicknesses, and batches vary between manufacturers, the settings in this guide are intended as a practical starting point for the TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA. Always perform a small material test before beginning your final project.

TOOCAA L2 Leather Settings

The TOOCAA L2 can be fitted with a 10W, 20W, or 40W diode laser module. The tables below list TOOCAA's officially published leather engraving and cutting settings for each module, drawn from TOOCAA's Material Settings page and official parameter data.

TOOCAA L2 10W Leather Settings

TOOCAA L2 20W Leather Settings

TOOCAA L2 40W Leather Settings

TOOCAA NOVA Leather Settings

The TOOCAA NOVA can be fitted with a 10W, 20W, or 40W diode laser module. The TOOCAA NOVA and TOOCAA L2 both use the same diode laser type, so at a matching module power the two machines share the same recommended parameters — the tables below list the same TOOCAA leather values used for the L2 above, applied directly to the NOVA.

Note: Laser optics, focus height, and beam characteristics can still vary slightly between machines, so always run a small test on scrap leather before committing to a full project.

TOOCAA NOVA 10W Leather Settings

TOOCAA NOVA 20W Leather Settings

How to Set Up and Use TOOCAA NOVA & L2 for Leather

TOOCAA Studio is the software used to design, position, and control engraving and cutting jobs on the TOOCAA NOVA and TOOCAA L2. Follow the steps below to go from opening the software to finishing your leather project

Step 1: Open TOOCAA Studio

When you first open TOOCAA Studio, you'll see an empty workspace with a dashed-line rectangle representing the working area (bed size) of your machine.

Step 2: Select Your Device

Select your device from the top-right corner of TOOCAA Studio and choose TOOCAA L2 or TOOCAA NOVA from the list.

Step 3: Connect the Machine

Connect the TOOCAA L2 to your laptop or PC using a USB cable. But the TOOCAA NOVA can be connected via wifi. Before starting, confirm that your ventilation or exhaust is working—leather can produce a strong odor when cut or engraved, and proper ventilation is essential.

Step 4: Select Your Material

After connecting, choose your material. Open the Material panel from the right sidebar, select PU Leather, then choose the specific leather color and thickness you're working with — for example, 1.4mm Dark Brown Leather.

Tip: This material may release irritating smoke during operation. Always ensure good ventilation when processing this material. Using the TOOCAA Smoke Purifier is recommended for cleaner air.

Step 5: Import or Create Your Design

Import your own design file, or create a shape directly in TOOCAA Studio — for example, using the Ellipse or Text tool.

Step 6: Adjust the Size

Fine-tune your design's dimensions using the Size (mm) fields in the top-left corner of TOOCAA Studio.

Step 7: Assign Colors to Set Up Layers

Assign a color to each part of your design that should be processed differently. Each color becomes its own layer, so you can apply separate settings to engraving areas versus cutting lines.

Step 8: Set the Layer Mode

In the Layers panel, set the processing mode for each layer. Choose Cut mode for a layer you want the laser to cut all the way through—this is the mode used for cutting, not Line mode. Line mode only scores or marks the surface with a thin vector line and will not cut through the material. Use Fill mode for a layer you want to engrave (surface marking without cutting through).

Step 9: Set Power, Speed, Passes, and Interval

For each layer, enter the Mode, Speed, Power, Passes, and Interval values. Use the leather settings tables above as your reference — for example, 1.4mm Dark Brown Leather — and adjust from there based on your test results.

Note: Once you select your leather type and thickness in the Material panel and choose a processing mode (Fill or Cut) for the layer, TOOCAA Studio automatically fills in the matching parameters from its built-in material library where they've been published — use the tables above to check the values it loads, and fine-tune from there.

Step 10: Focus the Laser

Before running the job, lower the L2's focus lever until it touches the surface of your material, then lock it in place. Accurate focus has a major impact on both engraving depth and cutting edge quality.

For TOOCAA NOVA, use the NOVA's auto-focus feature to set focus quickly and accurately, and confirm your material placement using the live camera preview before running the job. Auto focus is especially useful for leather since accurate focus affects both engraving depth and cut edge quality.

Step 11: Run a Small Test First

Engrave or cut a few small test shapes at your chosen settings on a scrap piece of the same leather. Check the result before committing to your full design — it's much faster than redoing an entire project.

Step 12: Start the Engraving or Cutting Job

Once you're happy with the test result, close the enclosure door and click Start in TOOCAA Studio to run the full job. For cutting, make sure air assist is switched on — air assist helps clear smoke and residue from the cut line and reduces charring on leather.

Step 13: Finish and Remove Your Piece

After the job completes, let the exhaust fan clear the smoke for a few seconds before opening the door and removing your finished piece.

A few leather-specific tips worth keeping in mind:

• Keep the workspace ventilated. Leather produces more smoke and odor than wood or acrylic, so good airflow and exhaust are important for a comfortable, safe working environment.
• Use air assist when cutting. It keeps the cut line clear of debris and helps produce a cleaner edge with less charring.
• Watch for curling on thin leather. Too much power or too slow a speed can cause thin leather to curl or scorch at the edges — a quick test patch will show you if your settings run too hot.

What Can You Make with Leather?

Leather's warm texture and rich engraving contrast make it a favorite for accessories and personalized gifts.

• Wallets and Cardholders — Engraved leather wallets and cardholders make popular personalized gifts and retail items.
• Keychains — Small leather keychains, engraved with names, initials, or logos, are quick to produce and sell well.
• Patches — Cut and engraved leather patches add a custom touch to bags, jackets, and hats.
• Coasters — Engraved leather coasters bring a warm, textured look to home décor.
• Jewelry — Leather cutouts make lightweight earrings, bracelets, and pendants.
• Bag Tags — Personalized leather luggage or bag tags are practical, giftable, and easy to produce.
• Bookmarks — Thin leather cut and engraved into bookmarks make simple, elegant gifts.
• Belts and Straps — Engraved detailing on leather belts and straps adds a custom, premium touch.
• Pet Collars and Tags — Durable leather accessories personalized with a pet's name or contact details.
• Business Card Holders — Engraved leather card holders make polished, professional gifts.

Leather Project Ideas

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few popular project ideas you can make using the settings and leather types covered in this guide.

• Personalized Leather Keychains — Small leather cutouts engraved with names or initials, quick to produce and popular as gifts or retail items.
• Engraved Leather Wallets — Add a monogram or design to a pre-made leather wallet for a personalized gift.
• Leather Luggage Tags — Cut and engrave leather tags with names and contact information for a practical travel accessory.
• Custom Leather Patches — Cut leather into shapes and engrave logos or text for jackets, bags, or hats.
• Leather Coasters — Cut circular or square leather coasters and engrave a design or monogram for a warm, textured home accessory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can diode lasers cut leather?

Yes. Diode lasers can cut PU and natural leather cleanly, especially at thinner gauges, and the TOOCAA L2 and NOVA have published cutting settings across their 10W, 20W, and 40W modules for several leather colors.

What type of leather engraves best?

Leather that absorbs laser energy well and has a smooth, consistent surface engraves most predictably. TOOCAA's officially tested PU leather colors — Dark Brown, Sky Blue, Light Brown, Green, and Orange — all have published settings that give a reliable starting point.

Why does leather curl or scorch at the edges?

Curling or scorched edges usually mean the power is too high or the speed is too slow for your leather's thickness. Try increasing the cutting speed or reducing power slightly, and make sure air assist is on to help clear smoke and residue from the cut line.

Do TOOCAA L2 and NOVA use the same leather settings?

Yes. The TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA use the same recommended leather settings when equipped with the same laser power module, since both machines use the same diode laser technology. Always perform a small test, since material batches and machine calibration may vary.

Why should I run a test first?

Leather varies by color, thickness, and manufacturer batch, so a setting that works well on one piece may scorch or fail to cut through on another. A quick test on scrap material avoids wasting time and material on a failed full-size job.

Conclusion

Getting clean, consistent results when engraving or cutting leather comes down to understanding your material and starting from settings that are close to correct, then fine-tuning from there. The leather laser engraving and cutting settings in this guide reflect TOOCAA's officially published parameters across the 10W, 20W, and 40W diode modules for the TOOCAA L2 and matching values for the TOOCAA NOVA, since both machines share the same diode laser type at equivalent power. This guide marks them clearly as unavailable rather than guessing, so check TOOCAA's official Material Settings page for updates as new parameters are released.

Whichever machine you're using, the same core habits apply: set up your device correctly in TOOCAA Studio, focus carefully, use Cut mode (not Line mode) when you need to cut all the way through, use air assist for cutting, keep your workspace ventilated, and always run a small test before committing to your final piece. With those habits in place, both the TOOCAA L2 and TOOCAA NOVA are capable of producing clean, professional-looking leather engravings and cuts for accessories, gifts, and small business products.