Why Japanese Vinyl Boards Excel as Cutting and Punching Bases for Leatherwork
- PRO ATELIER PLUS
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
Japanese vinyl punching boards are less commonly seen outside Japan, yet they are widely used by professional makers for precise, delicate work. In this article, we’ll explore what makes them special, how they differ from other options, and how to choose the right board for your workflow.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
What a Japanese vinyl punching board is
Why a standard self-healing cutting mat isn’t the same
Vinyl board vs Oka rubber board: when to use which
Custom and larger size options
What a Japanese vinyl punching board is?
A Japanese vinyl punching board is simply a work surface made from dense vinyl in green colour. It’s been widely used in Japanese leather workshops for decades.
Despite the name, it’s not soft or floppy like vinyl flooring, and it doesn’t behave like a self-healing cutting mat either. The key difference is how it reacts when you punch into it. The board gives just enough under the tool to protect your chisels, then slowly springs back without grabbing or bending the teeth. This makes a noticeable difference when you’re working with finer pricking irons or smaller SPI stitching.
Compared to a standard cutting mat, vinyl boards handle repeated punching much better. Cutting mats are designed for knives sliding across the surface; vinyl boards are designed for tools going straight down, again and again, in the same spot. When you strike a pricking iron or chisel, the board yields just enough to protect the teeth, then slowly recovers. It doesn’t grab or bend the tool.
That’s why you’ll often see them used for creating stitching lines, bookbinding, and fine leather goods rather than rough cutting.
Wouldn’t a Standard Self-Healing Cutting Mat Work?
Yes, a standard self-healing cutting mat does work, especially for light cutting and general craft use. Many leatherworkers start with one, and for thin leather, paper patterns, or occasional trimming, it’s perfectly adequate.
However, self-healing mats are designed primarily for rotary cutters and light knife work. They are not ideal for punching. Pricking irons and chisels can sink too deeply into the thin and soft mats, causing drag when you pull the tool out and increasing the risk of bent or damaged teeth.
In practice, many leatherworkers still keep a self-healing mat on the bench for layout work or light cutting, but switch to a thicker vinyl or rubber board when accuracy, blade longevity, or tool protection matters more. It’s less about one being “better” than the other, and more about using the right surface for the job.
Vinyl Board vs Oka Rubber Board: When to Use Which
Both vinyl boards and Oka rubber boards are excellent work surfaces for leathercraft, they’re just designed for slightly different jobs. Rather than choosing one over the other, some leatherworkers keep both boards on the bench and swap depending on the task. Some even stack them, vinyl on top for precision, rubber board or granite slab underneath for support.
Japanese Vinyl Board
Vinyl boards are firm, dense, and only give slightly under pressure. This makes them ideal for controlled cutting and fine punching.
They shine when working with:
Thin to medium-weight leather
Fine pricking irons and stitching chisels
Smaller SPI work where clean, precise holes matter
Knife cutting where you want the blade to bite just enough without dragging
Because the surface doesn’t collapse much, tools release cleanly, edges stay sharp longer, and fine teeth are better protected. This is why many Japanese workshops favour vinyl boards for precision work, and why it’s the board we personally reach for most often.
Oka Rubber Punching Board
Oka rubber boards are denser than standard rubber mats but still have noticeably more give than vinyl. That resilience makes them better suited to heavier tools and thicker leather.
They’re particularly good for:
Medium to thick leather
Japanese diamond chisels
Pricking irons with larger SPI
Round punches and hollow punches
The rubber absorbs impact well, protects tools from shock, and is forgiving when you’re driving tools through multiple layers.
Custom and larger size options
We’ve made the Japanese Vinyl Board in the same sizes as the Oka Rubber Board, following customer requests. This allows them to be used interchangeably or stacked together depending on the task, while also keeping your workbench neat and consistent.
Available Sizes
M - 150 × 200 × 6 mm
L - 200 × 300 × 6 mm
XL - 350 × 300 × 6 mm (Available soon)
XXL - 450 × 300 × 6 mm (Available soon)
Possible Future Sizes
We’ve also had interest in larger formats and are considering the following sizes in the future:
380 × 550 × 6 mm
550 × 760 × 6 mm
760 × 1100 × 6 mm
Let us know which sizes would be most useful for your workbench, your feedback helps shape what we make next.
Future Large Size Vinyl Board - Size Preference Poll
380 × 550 × 6 mm
550 × 760 × 6 mm
760 × 1100 × 6 mm
Every workbench is different, so we may also be able to offer custom sizes in the future.
Please note that larger boards come with higher material and shipping costs. As the vinyl is flexible, it can be rolled for transport. For boards with one side exceeding 700 mm, shipping is likely to be in a rolled form. Once unrolled, the board should be laid flat on a table and left for several hours, or up to a day or two, until any curl has fully relaxed. The exact time needed will depend on the room temperature and environment.
The board is made from soft PVC, which may expand or contract slightly depending on temperature and surroundings. As a result, small variations in dimensions are normal and should be expected.
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