Tattooling™ Art Kit #1
$100
A complete physical project kit built around Dennis Forrester's original Tattooling artwork.
The Original Leather Tattooing Machine
Tattooling™ is the original method of leather tattooing created by Dennis Forrester, founder of 21GRAMS. It uses a needle-driven leather embossing machine to create tattoo-inspired linework, shading, texture, and depth without ink and without cutting through the leather.
Affiliate disclosure: 21GRAMS may earn a commission when you purchase through this link.
What is a leather tattooing machine?
A leather tattooing machine is a powered tool used to emboss controlled lines, shading, and texture into leather. The method created at 21GRAMS is called Tattooling™. It applies the hand movement, visual language, and working rhythm of tattooing to leathercraft, but the machine embosses the surface instead of applying ink or penetrating the leather.
The Leather Tattooling™ Machine was designed by Dennis Forrester and is manufactured and distributed by Weaver Leather Supply through its partnership with 21GRAMS. This is the original machine behind the Tattooling category.
How does the Leather Tattooling™ Machine work?
The wireless machine drives interchangeable embossing cartridges at high speed. A maker guides the cartridge across properly prepared leather to build outlines, soft shading, texture, and dimensional effects. Different cartridges create different marks, much like changing tools during traditional leather tooling.
The current machine uses a 10-volt, 10,000 RPM motor and can operate for up to seven hours on a full charge. Its low-vibration design reduces hand fatigue and gives the user more freedom of movement than a corded tool.
What comes with the machine?
- The wireless Leather Tattooling™ Machine
- Thin liner cartridge
- Thick liner cartridge
- Round shader cartridge
- A vegetable-tanned leather practice piece
Add the 3-Piece Beveler Cartridge Set
Expand your Leather Tattooling™ Machine with three interchangeable beveler cartridges designed by Dennis Forrester. The set is sold separately from the machine.
- Thin / B1: For tight grooves, bold lines, feathering, and fine texture
- Mid / B2: For everyday detail and fill work
- Thick / B3: For wide grooves, backgrounds, and soft shading
Availability can change quickly. Use the link below to check current inventory at Weaver Leather Supply.
Make a Complete Project with a Tattooling™ Art Kit
These $100 kits pair Dennis Forrester-designed artwork with the leather, color, finishing supplies, brushes, and guidance needed to take a Tattooling project from pattern to finished piece. Choose either artwork collection below.
Tattooling™ Art Kit #2
$100
A second original artwork collection with the materials and guidance needed to complete the project.
Patterns may be adapted for personal or commercial custom work, including logos, but may not be resold as standalone artwork.
What leather should you use?
Vegetable-tanned leather is the best place to begin because it accepts moisture and holds embossed detail cleanly. The leather should be cased, meaning evenly dampened, before Tattooling. Moisture level matters. Leather that is too dry resists the cartridge, while leather that is too wet can lose definition.
Who is Tattooling for?
Tattooling works for experienced leatherworkers, tattoo artists exploring a new medium, and beginners who want a more intuitive entry into leathercraft. It can be used as a complete method or combined with swivel-knife work, stamping, carving, painting, dyeing, and other traditional techniques.
Leather tattooing compared with traditional leather tooling
Tattooling is not a replacement for traditional tooling. Traditional tooling usually relies on hand stamps, bevelers, modeling tools, a maul, and a swivel knife. Tattooling uses a powered, needle-driven embossing system. The two approaches can stand alone or work together on the same piece.
How to get started
- Start with a small piece of vegetable-tanned leather.
- Case the leather evenly and allow the surface color to begin returning.
- Transfer a simple design with clear outlines and open areas.
- Practice lines with the liner cartridge before adding shading.
- Use light pressure and build depth gradually.
- Experiment on scrap leather before beginning a finished project.
Learn Leather Tattooling from the Inventor
Dennis Forrester created Tattooling™ at 21GRAMS and developed the original Leather Tattooling Machine with Weaver Leather Supply. Watch the official quick-start guide, then explore the tools, cartridges, and project kits on this page.
Learn more about Dennis Forrester and 21GRAMS, or see how Tattooling can be used in a custom leather artwork commission.
Practice with Leather Tooling Patterns Built for Tattooling
Good Tattooling starts with artwork that reads clearly on leather. 21GRAMS art patterns use bold silhouettes, open negative space, deliberate line weight, and clear shading cues so the design transfers cleanly and remains readable as depth is added.
Start with Rose 001, an American traditional rose leather tooling pattern, or browse the full collection of leather tooling art patterns.
Not sure whether you need a build template or decorative artwork? Read the 21GRAMS guide to project patterns vs. art patterns.
Frequently asked questions
Does a leather tattooing machine use ink?
No. Tattooling creates a permanent embossed impression in the leather. Color can be added later with leather dyes or paints, but the machine itself does not inject ink.
Does the machine pierce the leather?
No. The cartridges are designed to emboss the surface rather than penetrate it like a tattoo needle entering skin.
Can a beginner use it?
Yes. A beginner can learn the basic movements quickly, but clean linework and smooth shading still improve with practice. Start with simple designs and scrap leather.
Can tattoo artists use their existing skills?
Yes. Familiar habits such as pulling lines, building values, planning negative space, and working from a stencil transfer naturally. Leather behaves differently from skin, so moisture, pressure, and surface preparation still need to be learned.
Can it be combined with traditional leather tools?
Yes. Many makers combine Tattooling with carving, stamping, beveling, modeling, dyeing, and painting.
Where can I buy the original Leather Tattooling™ Machine?
The original machine is sold by Weaver Leather Supply. Purchasing through the 21GRAMS link supports the creator and the continued development of Tattooling.
