Chrome-Tanned Leather: The Hidden Danger in Leather Engraving
Can you laser engrave any leather?
No — only vegetable-tanned leather is safe. Chrome-tanned leather, which is most fashion, furniture and upholstery leather, releases toxic chromium compounds when lasered, including hexavalent chromium — a known carcinogen. 'Genuine leather' from a craft-store offcut bin is almost always chrome-tanned.
Hides inWhere it turns up
Handbags, jackets, sofa and car upholstery offcuts, most cheap 'genuine leather' craft packs, and anything that doesn't explicitly state vegetable tanning.
InsteadSafe alternatives
Vegetable-tanned leather from a supplier who states the tannage on the listing. If it doesn't say veg-tan, assume it isn't.
If it happensAccidental exposure
Stop and ventilate thoroughly. Don't handle the residue bare-handed; wipe the machine down.
⚠ The golden ruleNo safety data sheet, no material spec, no cut. When in doubt, leave it out.