Cowhide vs Pigskin Leather for Laser Engraving: Which to Buy?

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What the cowhide listings state

The four listings agree on the basics and differ on the details. Two TeeLiy sheets, one dark brown and one brown, state 1.8 to 2.0MM thick, 3 to 4oz, in 8 by 12 inch pre-cut squares of top full grain cowhide with a pull-up oil-tanned crazy horse finish. The Ringsun sheet states 2mm thick in a 6 by 12 inch piece of full grain pull-up oil-tanned cowhide, weighing 3.98 ounces. The Tannery NYC piece states 8.5 by 11 inches of natural grain cowhide at 2.5 to 3.0 oz (1.1 to 1.3 mm), described as soft and supple with clean backs.

Read the spec tables, not just the titles. The TeeLiy title and bullets say oil tanned, but the spec table lists Processing Technology as chrome tanned, a direct contradiction inside the listing. Per the rules the title and bullets win, but the mismatch is a reminder to check both places before you buy. The listings also describe the pull-up finish the same way: a grease-rich surface where a slight bend shows a two-color effect with a retro texture.

Cowhide vs pigskin leather for laser engraving: reading the listing

Thickness is the first number to check, and these listings state it two ways: millimeters and ounces. The TeeLiy sheets state 1.8 to 2.0MM and 3 to 4oz; the Ringsun states 2mm; the Tannery NYC states 2.5 to 3.0 oz, which its bullets convert to 1.1 to 1.3 mm. When a listing gives both, they should agree; when it gives one, do not convert it yourself.

Grain and finish come next. All four state full or natural grain cowhide, which is the hide’s own surface rather than a corrected or bonded one. The oil-tanned pull-up finish is worth noting because the listings describe a visible behavior: bending the leather shifts the color. That tells you the surface carries oil and will show handling, which matters for pieces people will touch, like wallets and keychains. The TeeLiy listings also claim a degree of water resistance for the finish, stated as the maker’s claim.

Size is the last check. These are pre-cut sheets, 8 by 12, 6 by 12 and 8.5 by 11 inches, not full hides. Match the sheet dimensions to your project dimensions. If a listing does not state a dimension, write it off as not stated rather than guessing from the photo.

Pigskin: what to verify before you buy

No pigskin listing was included in this guide, so this section is a checklist, not a review. Verify the same three things the cowhide listings state: thickness in ounces or millimeters, the grain description, and the finish. If a pigskin listing states none of those, you are buying blind, and no guide can fix that.

Do not assume pigskin behaves like the cowhide above. A finish name on one listing does not describe another listing’s product. Compare listings side by side on stated specs only, and favor the listing that states the most: thickness, grain, finish, size and weight beat a listing that states only a color.

The gear: four cowhide sheets

These are the four listings behind this guide, all cowhide. The TeeLiy dark brown sheet (B091Y4X1HK) states 1.8 to 2.0MM, 3 to 4oz, 8 by 12 inches, top full grain pull-up oil-tanned cowhide. The TeeLiy brown sheet (B09LQTKPWK) states the same specs in brown: 1.8 to 2.0MM, 3 to 4oz, 8 by 12 inches. The Ringsun sheet (B09WTXCXYR) states 2mm thick, 6 by 12 inches, full grain pull-up oil-tanned, 3.98 ounces. The Tannery NYC piece (B083PWM2LT) states 8.5 by 11 inches of natural grain cowhide at 2.5 to 3.0 oz (1.1 to 1.3 mm), soft and supple with clean backs.

For patches and small goods, any of the four gives you a stated thickness and a full or natural grain surface. For larger pieces, the 8 by 12 and 8.5 by 11 inch sheets give you more layout room than the 6 by 12. None of the four is pigskin, so none of them answers the pigskin half of the question directly.

Ventilation and fire safety

Engraving leather produces fumes, so ventilate the workspace and vent the machine outside or through filtration rated for the job. Never leave a running laser unattended; leather is an organic material and can flame. Keep the work area clear of scraps and solvents, and know where your fire extinguisher is before the first job. These are workshop practices, not material claims, and they apply whichever hide you engrave.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Can you laser engrave genuine leather?

The four listings here are genuine cowhide sheets sold for crafts including tooling, stamping and carving. Whether your machine handles leather depends on your machine’s stated materials and power, so check that before buying hides.

What thickness of leather works for engraving?

The listings state 1.8 to 2.0MM, 2mm, and 2.5 to 3.0 oz (1.1 to 1.3 mm). Match the stated thickness to your machine’s stated capability; the listings do not say how thickness affects engraving.

What does the crazy horse finish mean?

On these listings, crazy horse describes the pull-up oil-tanned finish: a grease-rich surface where a slight bend shows a two-color effect. The listings describe how it looks and feels, not how it engraves, so run a scrap piece first.

What size sheet should I buy?

These listings offer 8 by 12, 6 by 12 and 8.5 by 11 inches. Compare the sheet dimensions to your project; the listings do not state what size suits a given project.

Why is there no pigskin pick in this guide?

No pigskin listing was included in the guide’s data, so there is nothing to score or recommend. Use the verification checklist above on any pigskin listing you find.

Do I need ventilation for engraving leather?

Yes. Engraving leather produces fumes, so vent the workspace and never leave the laser unattended. This applies to cowhide, pigskin and any other hide.

Related: the engraving materials hub, best leather for laser engraving and leather vs leatherette for laser engraving. Also see our how to laser engrave leather without burning.