Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I’ve been asked a lot how to put studs, crystals and other decorations on a leather jacket, vest or saddlebags. So today I’ll tell you. Now, this is how you put them on anything leather, not just leather jackets, vest or saddlebags. Those are just the ones most people put them on.
But you can put them on dusters, pants, chaps, hats, motorcycle seats, anything at all made of leather. There are two different types of studs. The ones that most use and are simple to put on have two prongs on the bottom. All you do is make two small holes for the prongs to go through, then bend them over with some pliers.
The other type has a screw on back. You make a hole in the leather, push the stud through, then screw the bottom part in. Sort of like putting a nut on a bolt. The above youtube video shows how to put the prong type on your leather item. The guys a bit of a punk head, but he does a good job showing how to do it.
Now, if you want a real design on your leather jacket, you should use thin strips of masking tape to make an outline of what you want. Measure and make sure where the center and top is so you get the design just right. If your sure of where you want the studs, use a pencil to mark each spot. A lot of people just follow a seam, collar or something so they dont have to even mark it.
The prong type of stud is the most common to put on a leather jacket or leather apparel. The screw on type is normally used for more heavier items like leather saddlebags, travel bags and so on. You have to use a sharp object to poke a nice small hole through the leather for the prongs or shaft for the screw on type.
Your NOT going to be able to just push the prongs through the leather. If you can, you have one cheap-ass jacket! Most places that sell studs sell an x-acto type of knife used for it. I’ll list a place at the end of this post. First you push the prongs into the leather, making an impression in it. Then you take it off and use the knife to make a hole where the impression mark is.
Then you push the stud prongs through the holes. You have to make sure you get studs with long enough prongs to go through the leather and still have enough to bend over. Now holding the stud firmly against the leather take your pliers and bend the prong backward on the other side, inside, of the leather.
Make sure you bend it close to the leather to it’s nice and tight. Otherwise you’ll have a loose stud. Also if the stud is tight to the leather it stops water from leaking in. That’s all there is to it as far as prong type studs go. Now make sure you get quality studs made of nickel, brass or stainless steel.
The screw on type of stud is more heavier and rugged. To put them on a saddlebag or something like that you need a leather punch that will make a round small hole in the leather, more on where to get those later. Again measure and use tape or a pencil to mark where you want them. Then use the leather punch to make the hole, push the screw through and screw tight the stud, easy!
So where do you get the studs and tools? Well there are lots of places. You can google them to find some on the net. I myself like a place called E Leather Supply. They have lots of studs, concho’s, leather tools and items. But any place that seems to have quality leather hardware is fine.
So that wraps up my post on how to put studs on a leather jacket, or leather saddlebags. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Studs on a leather jacket, saddlebags or item look great, as long as you don’t overdo it, like the guy in the youtube video above!
Thanks so much! Super helpful. Now I have to go get some stuff to stud!
Another good site is studsandspikes.com
They sell a awl to make the cuts in the leather specifically designed for whatever stud you are using
CHEERS!!
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
[…] out easy with by adorning a jacket or a shirt. You could also take a cue from punk rockers and add studs to a leather bag or belt. Feel free to swap metal for rhinestones. Head to StudandSpikes.com for all things metal, including […]
I’ve done this stuff for decades. Really! I use a set of calipers to lightly mark the leather. If you don’t scratch it it will lose the mark later. I draw a line following the edge if iam doing an edge. Then I use the calipers to mark the spacing and punch the holes with a lacing chisel of the right width it makes a clean small slit for the stud prong. Then I insert the stud prongs thfrough the leather and use a set of chain nose pliers to roll the prongs over and continue the spacing and setting until I get the studs all in place then using a “poundo” board, available from a leather working tool dirtributor, or a plastic cutting board I set the piece prongs down and use a rubber mallet to tap the top of the studs. This pushes the prongs up into the bottom of the stud and out of the way.
If I am doing a design I draw it out on paper to work out how to space the studs then I redo it on the leather in chalk. Using the calipers I mark the spacing again and set the studs.
Tip: I use two sets of calipers one to mark the width of the stud prongs and the other to mark the spacing between the prongs. It makes a very nicely finished product. This is how the old Rockers did it. We used saddlery and tack tools.
The rolling in of the stud prongs keeps them fom siezing onto your favorite sweater or poking you in the back.
Used these for my saddlebags for my bike, they are the balls!!!
You’re very attractive 🙂