FAQ
FAQ — Tough Love Leather (Handmade, Vegetable-Tanned)
Clear answers about handmade vegetable-tanned leather, hand-dyed color, engraved & micro-painted ornaments, and how I build BDSM collars/chokers, leather cuffs, leather masks, and corsets. Skin-safe finishes, sizing and care guidance, shipping, and lifetime repairs—everything in one place.
Materials & Safety
What leather do you use?
Only vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather. I hand-dye each piece. No chrome tanning.
Is it skin-safe?
Yes. The back stays undyed and is sealed with a gentle, water-based finish—smooth to touch, comfortable for sensitive skin, and helps reduce perspiration.
Why vegetable-tanned leather?
Cleaner process, no chromium, ages beautifully, and is kinder to skin. Around 90% of leather today is chrome-tanned or mixed with additives to make production cheaper and faster (about one day), while vegetable tanning can take weeks. Veg-tan uses water and tree tannins, so tanneries don’t create toxic waste like chrome tanning can. It is suitable for very sensitive skin, lasts longer—often lifetime-durable—and develops a rich patina (it darkens slightly and ages beautifully). It also smells wonderful.
Because I start with natural, undyed leather, I can hand-dye a wide palette of vivid colors, engrave cleanly without toxic fumes, and wet-form shapes (great for leather masks). I use double bend (crupón) only—the densest, most durable part of cowhide—quality guaranteed.
Do you use nickel hardware?
I select hardware for quality. For gold-tone pieces, I typically use polished solid brass. Not all components are available in solid brass, so some parts may contain zync alloy or nickel. For silver-tone pieces, I use zync alloy and stainless steel when possible; some components may contain nickel depending on availability. If you have metal allergies, please note it in the cart under “Order Special Instructions” or in the Contact form, and I’ll advise suitable options.
Sizing & Fit
How do I measure correctly?
Use a tailor’s tape snug to the body. If you don’t have one, use a string/belt and then measure it with a ruler. Choose a size via the Sizing Chart (with instructions), but it’s highly recommended to add your exact measurements in the cart under “Order Special Instructions.”
I’m between sizes—what should I do?
Tell me the exact measurement in the cart under “Order Special Instructions.” I’ll adjust for a secure, comfortable fit.
I have smaller or larger size than the Sizing Chart. What should I do?
Tell me the exact measurement in the cart under “Order Special Instructions.”
How does the wide choker (≈6 cm) fit?
It wraps firmly yet comfortably. 6 cm is thick enough to feel a confident hold and fully wrap the neck, yet still wearable for hours. (See Cradle BDSM leather choker / collar listing for details.)
Corset cinch options?
Add your exact waist size and preference—tighter cinch or softer comfort—in the cart under “Order Special Instructions.” You can also choose a size without extra info; Size S gently reduces waist by ~5–10 cm (2–4 in) depending on lacing tension and elastic.
Personalization & Custom Work
Can I choose the color and hardware?
Yes. Pick any hand-dyed color from the palette and two hardware finishes—silver or gold—on every product. If you want a different color or hardware, write me before purchase. I can customise the product for you for additional pricing.
Can you change the ornament or make something bespoke?
Yes—scale and placement are the easiest. A medium-difficulty request is applying an existing design with a new ornament. You can propose your own ornament or I can design it. The most complex task is a completely new design, possibly with new ornaments. With Tough Love, everything is possible—just let creativity flow. Any extra work not covered in product variants is charged additionally; price depends on complexity. For these changes it is necessary to Contact me before purchase.
Can you match a set across pieces?
Absolutely—mask, choker, cuffs, corset can be coordinated in color and hardware. I also have a Sets category with ready combinations. If you plan to buy more pieces but don’t see the set you want, Contact me—I can often offer a better price for a bundle.
Are the ornaments painted?
Yes. First the ornaments are engraved. Then the ornaments are hand-painted with my own technique, which I am constantly improving. Many ornaments contain microscopic details, therefore I use a microscopic brush—almost like miniature art. Some designs are only engraved without painting, therefore they are more affordable (e.g., Rosaline Set).
How visible is the engraving on different colors?
On lighter colors, engraving reads clear and sharp.
On dark colors (e.g., black), it creates a subtle 3D relief—still visible, best appreciated in good light and up close.
Use & Hardware (Important)
Are these for heavy restraint?
No. My pieces are fashion-forward or for gentle to medium hard play. Always practice consent, communication, and safety. They are not suitable for suspending a person or rough handling. I intentionally focus on aesthetics and fine craft rather than heavy restraints—but I can create heavy restraints. If you want heavy restraints, it requires a different design. I can make it as a custom order. Contact me.
Laced vs. buckled?
The Royale set is made with lacing. That does not mean I cannot add buckles instead of lacing—or make buckle designs with lacing. I’m a leathercrafter; almost everything is possible.
D-rings / attachment points
Some BDSM collars, cuffs, belts and other body restraints (e.g., Ellipse, Dragon, Sakura and more) include attachment points for a leash. Royale pieces are decorative only (no D-rings) and use laced closures.
Craft & Construction
What finishing do you do on the edges?
Edges are beveled, burnished, and polished to a glass-smooth sheen—a hallmark of fine leathercraft.
Stitched or riveted?
Most current leather cuffs and leather collars are riveted (not stitched). When a product is stitched, it is hand-stitched, which offers longer life than machine stitching and a more refined look. It takes more time, so the price is higher.
What’s included with packaging?
Each item comes in an organic cotton pouch—reusable, ethical, and protective for storage.
Care & Longevity
How do I clean and condition?
The top side can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth (ideally distilled water). The cloth may pick up some color—that’s not a defect; after drying, the color holds well again. If dirt persists, gentle shoe brushing often helps. Apply a transparent leather cream/wax suitable for veg-tan about once a year. Store pieces in the organic cotton pouch. Avoid soaking, rain, prolonged sun, or frost. Read more about Product´s Care here.
What if something breaks?
I offer lifetime leather craftsmanship repairs (my time is free; you cover materials and shipping). This applies only to the leather work. If metal components or elastic bands fail, I can replace them, but there is a labor charge. I cannot fully guarantee the quality of third-party materials, while the veg-tanned double bend leather I use is quality-guaranteed. Read more about Lifetime Repairs.
Shipping & Packaging
Where is shipping free?
Free shipping to: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia.
Do you offer worldwide shipping?
Yes—worldwide free shipping on orders over €200. Read more about Shipping Policy here.
Is the packaging discreet?
Yes. Each piece comes in an organic cotton pouch with logo; outer packaging is plain.
Orders, Timing & Returns
How long does making my item take?
Each piece is handmade. Handling time varies by order size and my workload. In general, small and simple products are processed and shipped within 7–14 days. Custom-made items and products with decorative details (e.g., engraved, micro-painted motifs, hand-stitching) may require additional time due to complexity. If I know I’m especially busy and your order will take more than 14 days, I’ll email you with an updated estimate. For large custom orders, production can take a month or longer.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Contact me as soon as possible. Orders may be non-cancellable once I begin, as all of them are custom (color, size, hardware, etc.).
Do you accept returns?
As all the orders are custom, in general it is not possible without reason.
Contact within 14 days: If an item is damaged or does not meet expectations, contact must be made within 14 days of receiving the product at info@toughlove-leather.com.
Customer-related issues: If a size adjustment is possible and agreed upon, the customer is responsible for all related shipping costs.
Instagram & Contact
Where can I see more process and colors?
My Instagram shows behind-the-scenes: hand dyeing, hand-stitching, micro-painting, edge polishing, and more.
How do I contact you?
Use the site Contact form.