How to Create Bubble Dye Dragon Scales

Bubble-Dye Technique for Leather

Daniel Reach of Weaver Leather Supply demonstrates a bubble-dye technique that creates dragon-scale, pebbled, or crocodile-like patterns on leather. The look can be customized with layered colors or used as a base for other dye treatments.

Materials and Process

Use vegetable-tanned leather; Daniel says he has not tested the technique on other types. Dampen the leather first so the dye mixture can soak in.

Mix ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons of leather dye, and 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Gently shake to combine. To make an applicator, insert a straw into a plastic bottle at about a 45-degree angle.

1. Hold the bottle on its side and blow through the straw at medium pressure.
2. Move slowly, waiting for the bubbles to touch the leather before moving on.
3. Make one pass, then break the line of bubbles by hand before starting another pass. This helps prevent dragging the bubbles and blurring the pattern.
4. Let the bubbles pop by themselves, then leave the leather to dry fully. Don’t wipe the surface while the dye is setting.

Creative Options and Tips

• More water makes the pattern softer and fuzzier. Within reason, more dish soap makes it tighter and crisper.
• After the first layer dries, add another bubble-dye pass in a different color, dye the leather again, or seal it.
• Daniel prefers an aerosol sealer, such as Leather Sheen, but says a liquid sealer may work once the color has set.
• Start with a larger piece of leather than the project requires so you can choose the area with the pattern you like best.

Daniel plans to use the technique on bracers in a later video, adding a three-dimensional dragon-scale effect.

Creators and Contributors

Daniel Reach presents the video. He says the applicator design was shown to him at the 2022 International Federation of Leather Guilds show, but he cannot recall the names of the people who shared it.