Independent buying guides for leathercraft

Tandy Leather Craftool Sheridan Alphabet Stamp Set 1/2 Inch (13 mm) - A-Z Leather Letter Stamps Review (2026)

Updated September 14, 2026 · Research-based review

Our verdict

Tandy's Sheridan alphabet stamp set gives Western leathercraft decorative, outlined lettering that reads clearly at 1/2 inch on belts and wallets. The strength is traditional Sheridan detailing from an established brand, and the trade-off is that the ornate style suits saddlery work more than clean, modern goods.

Tandy Leather Craftool Sheridan Alphabet Stamp Set 1/2 Inch (13 mm) - A-Z Leather Letter Stamps

Tandy Leather's Craftool Sheridan alphabet stamp set, 1/2 Inch (13 mm) A-Z, for decorative Sheridan-style lettering.

Price range: See on Amazon

What we liked

  • + Sheridan style letters suit Western tooled designs
  • + 1/2 Inch (13 mm) size reads clearly on belts
  • + Craftool stamps are made for striking leather

Trade-offs

  • - A-Z only, so numbers need a separate set
  • - Decorative style may not suit modern minimal goods

Who This Stamp Set Fits

This is Tandy Leather's Craftool line Sheridan alphabet stamp set, sized at 1/2 inch, or 13mm, covering the full A through Z alphabet with outlined, decorative letterforms rather than plain block characters. Sheridan style lettering traces back to the Western floral tooling tradition and pairs naturally with carved belts, holsters, wallets and saddlery pieces that already use scrollwork or floral stamps. Leatherworkers building a Western themed product line, or anyone personalizing belts and straps with a name or initials in a period appropriate style, are the clearest fit. Makers working in a plain, modern, minimal aesthetic may find the ornate outline style clashes with cleaner design work, since Sheridan lettering is meant to stand out rather than blend into a simple background.

What Comes in the Set and Materials

According to Tandy's own product page, the set includes a stamp handle plus 26 individual stamp heads, one for each letter, for 27 pieces total, made from a mix of zinc alloy and iron construction. The 1/2 inch size refers to the letter height, matching Tandy's other Craftool alphabet and number sets so a matching number set can be added later without a size mismatch. Tandy also sells this alphabet in 3/4 inch and 1 inch sizes for buyers who want larger lettering for bigger projects like larger belts or bags. The manufacturer recommends pairing the stamps with a poly mallet and a hard, flat surface like a granite or marble slab, both sold separately, rather than a soft cutting mat, since a soft surface absorbs the strike and produces a shallow, unclear impression.

Stamping Technique and Care

Getting a clean impression starts with casing the leather, dampening it so the fibers compress cleanly under a mallet strike instead of just bruising the surface, a standard step for any leather stamping regardless of brand. Holding each letter stamp perfectly vertical and striking with a consistent mallet weight keeps letter depth even across a word, which matters more with an alphabet set than with a single decorative stamp since inconsistent depth is obvious when letters sit side by side. Spacing letters evenly by eye or with a spacing guide avoids the cramped or uneven look that comes from placing stamps freehand without a reference line. Between uses, wiping the metal stamp faces clean and storing them dry prevents rust from building up in the fine detail lines that give Sheridan lettering its outlined look.

Trade-offs Against Other Alphabet Sets

Several competing alphabet stamp sets undercut this one on price by using a full number and letter combo kit at a smaller 1/4 inch or 6mm size, which suits small item personalization like key fobs but reads too small for a belt or larger strap. Tandy's set covers only capital letters A through Z, with no numbers included, so buyers wanting to stamp dates or numeric codes need to add Tandy's separate matching number set. The Sheridan outline style is more ornate and slower to strike cleanly than a plain block letter stamp, since the detail lines demand a firmer, more even strike to show up, which makes it less forgiving for a first time stamper compared with a simple block alphabet.

Bottom Line

Leatherworkers building Western style belts, wallets or saddlery who want decorative, traditional lettering that matches Tandy's other Craftool stamps get a well made, if pricier, alphabet set here. Buyers who only need occasional numbers alongside letters should budget for Tandy's matching number set separately, since this listing is letters only. Anyone working in a plain modern style, or who wants numbers and letters together in one affordable kit for small accessories, is better served by a combined block letter and number stamping kit at a smaller size instead of this Sheridan focused set.

Frequently asked questions

Does this set include numbers as well as letters?

No, this listing covers capital letters A through Z only. Tandy sells a matching Sheridan style number set separately for the same 1/2 inch size.

What surface should I stamp on for the cleanest result?

Tandy recommends stamping on a hard, flat surface like a granite or marble slab with a poly mallet, since a soft cutting mat absorbs the strike and produces a shallower impression.

Do I need to dampen the leather before stamping?

Yes, casing the leather by dampening it first is standard practice for any leather stamping, since it lets the fibers compress cleanly under the mallet instead of just bruising.

What are the stamps made from?

According to Tandy's product listing, the stamp heads and handle use a mix of zinc alloy and iron construction.

Prices change often, so check the current price and availability on Amazon.

Check price on Amazon

Leatherwork Nest may earn a commission from the link above.

Featured in these buying guides