How many possessions do you expect to keep—and use—for the rest of your life? Maybe a few, if you’re lucky. Most useful items wear out over time and need to be replaced.
When you acquire certain high-quality goods, sometimes you get a feeling of … “This is going to last forever.”
For an item to join your buy-it-for-life collection, it must be expertly made. Then, you need to properly care for it.
At Popov Leather, everything we sell is built to last and meant to be used for many years. Our products are heirloom quality, meaning they can be passed from generation to generation.
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If you invest in an heirloom wallet, consider taking one small extra step—add custom engraving. Adding your name or initials is the perfect finishing touch for an item you’ll keep close by your side, day after day, year after year.
In this guide, you’ll learn why:
- Engraving is perfect for gift giving
- Engraving helps your wallet age beautifully
- Engraving makes your wallet a one-of-a-kind
"I love the wallet. It feels like an heirloom item I can pass down."
1 - An Engraved Wallet Makes a Great Gift
If you’ve already decided on a wallet for the person you’re gift-shopping for, you’re off to a great start.
A wallet is a fabulous gift. It’s an item that everybody needs, but many people are long overdue for an upgrade. In fact, many folks have never owned a high-quality wallet. Your gift will show them what they’ve been missing.
To really make your wallet gift special, add custom engraving. Doing so shows that you went the extra mile. A wallet engraved with a name or initials immediately becomes a cherished possession that the recipient feels intimately connected to.
We offer custom engraving for all Popov Leather wallets. You can order engraving directly through each wallet’s product page.
Add a name, initials, or a date to your wallet gift. We use Times New Roman font, size 26. Engraving appears on the bottom right corner, sized as follows:
- Character limit: 10
- Letter width: 2–4 mm
- Letter height: 4–5 mm
There are several ways to accomplish engraving on leather, including:
| Engraving Methods | |
| Scratch engraving | DIY method of carving marks with a knife |
| Letterpress stamping | Alphabet stamps are used to press letters into the leather |
| Laser engraving | Vaporizes surface material to create permanent marks on the leather |
We use laser engraving. The marks are permanent and will never fade.
Every leather wallet is unique, thanks to the brilliant aging process that naturally occurs in well-used leather. However, engraving is a special way to make your gift a true one-of-a-kind from the moment it’s unwrapped.
"I bought the Traditional English Tan Wallet from Popov Leather for my grandson … I had it engraved with his name, initials and date … WHAT A GIFT FOR THE PRICE!"
2 - Engraving Helps Your Wallet Age Beautifully
For leather fans, the longer they’ve owned an item, the better.
First of all, durability is one of leather’s most appreciated characteristics. Owners of well-made wallets, belts, and boots love owning items that can take a beating without falling apart.
Second, leather goods truly do get better with age. As the material is used, it becomes softer and more flexible. It also becomes more beautiful.
The gorgeous surface quality that develops on aging leather is known as patina.
Patina is the sheen that leather develops over time. But it’s more than that. Patina is the weathered look, the nicks and scrapes.
It’s the cloudy color marks that slowly change from year to year on the surface of a resilient piece of leather.
Some leather items that really get put through the ringer, like boots, might eventually fall apart someday. Even the most well-made items have their limits.
However, a well-cared-for wallet can truly last decades, or even lifetimes.
That’s why wallets are the items that best embody the concept of leather patina. It’s also why wallets are perfect candidates for engraving.
When you add your name or initials to your wallet, the engraved lines become part of the patina process.
Want a glimpse into the future? Visit our “Let’s See Ya Patina” page to see what Popov Leather items look like as they age.
Our gallery of well-loved goods is full of customer photos featuring wallets and other leather items in all their full-patina glory.
Laser engraving never fades, but it will bear the marks of time.
I think—and I know that many of you out there agree—that there’s something very special about seeing a beautiful wallet age over time. When your personal engraving is part of that process, it’s even better.
Plus, engraving is a great security measure. You’re less likely to lose track of an item that bears your name or initials. You’ll never confuse your wallet with someone else’s, and a thief can never claim your wallet as their own.
"Very tough leather … it will last a very long time. My older wallet lasted more than 20 years and I expect this one to last longer."
3 - Engraving Makes Your Wallet a One-of-a-Kind Item
Even before a Popov Leather wallet is engraved, there are several factors that make it a one-of-a-kind.
First of all, every piece of leather is unique. The full-grain Horween leather we use is a fully intact, unaltered workpiece.
Scarring, blemishes, and even insect bites contribute beauty marks that make each strip of leather special.
To put each wallet together, we use hand-sewing. This choice is based on the superior strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal that can only be achieved by hand.
Additionally, this highly personal production process makes each wallet just a bit more unique.
Our hand-sewing is performed using Ritza 25 Tiger thread imported from Germany. It’s a 100% braided polyester, flattened and lightly waxed.
What’s So Special About Ritza 25 Tiger Thread?
- Made in Germany since 1895
- 100% polyester and lightly waxed
- Braided for strength
- UV-resistant
- Lies flat against leather
Tiger thread is super strong and perfect for hand-sewing. It’s considered by many expert leather workers to be, bar-none, the best thread in the world.
Want to go one step further for a wallet that’s truly unlike any other? Order custom engraving. You’ll be glad you did. It’s incredibly satisfying to pull your beautiful leather wallet out of your pocket and see your engraved name or initials.
"I am amazed how well it’s constructed. The craftsmanship is beyond compare. Every piece of leather is perfectly cut, the stitching is perfect … each piece comes together in perfect harmony."
Engraved Horween Leather Goods From Popov Leather
For your engraved wallet purchase, navigate to your desired wallet’s product page and check off the “Add Engraving” box.
All of our wallet varieties are available for engraving, including:
- Traditional wallets
- Trifold wallets
- 5 card wallets
- Money clip wallets
- Card holders
- ID wallets
- Long wallets
- Coin wallets
- Checkbook wallets
All wallets are available in English Tan, Heritage Brown, Natural, or Black color options.
Popov Leather is based in Canada and known worldwide. I’m proud to say that from humble beginnings, Popov Leather is now known as a premier source for the finest leather goods.
Nothing makes me happier than reading reviews from happy customers—and I’ve read thousands of them. In fact, as much as I love discussing our products, don’t take my word for it. Visit our reviews page and see what others have to say.
We ship internationally to dozens of nations. Shipping is free for orders over $99 to the US, orders over $125 within Canada, and orders over $99 USD anywhere else.
For more buying guides and leather care tips, visit the Popov Leather blog. If you have any questions about our products, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
View our entire wallet inventory here.
Written by Ryan Popoff
Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Reach out with questions.
