Ink is terrible. Most kinds of ink are like dye and are impossible to get out. Once it penetrates the leather, the only thing that will get the ink out will also remove the dye from leather. If all those things have failed, I doubt you will be able to remove it.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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Ink is terrible. Most kinds of ink are like dye and are impossible to get out. Once it penetrates the leather, the only thing that will get the ink out will also remove the dye from leather. If all those things have failed, I doubt you will be able to remove it.
Maybe you can dye the bag a dark color? One of the experts in this forum can probably give you good advice on how to do that, if it's possible and you're interested.
I've had some luck lightening ink marks on ivory leather by leaving it in full sun. You might want to cover the bag with only the ink showing so the whole bag does not fade.
It looks dirty so I don't mind if the whole bag fades to lighter color. 
It's still wet but I think the alcohol removed some sort of finish from the leather but not the ink of course.
It's still wet but I think the alcohol removed some sort of finish from the leather but not the ink of course.
Hey rehabbers! I tried doing a search but found no answers so I thought I'd ask the collective: until just recently, all my leather has been old(ish) but I recently acquired a crossgrain bag and have no idea how to care for it! Doesn't need a rehab, just a spot clean. Do I need to condition or is it like AWL and pebble that shouldn't be conditioned? Thanks for any and all info!
On the black patent spotlight tote I have, I used a black fabric marker on the material under the patent material that was exposed, and smoothed out a glob of the E6000 glue... you seriously can't see it because the glue dries so glossy. I bet black could be mixed into the glue for an even better black patent effect!
There have been quite a few times that I couldn't get ink out of the leather. I didn't have a choice but to use the wood and stuff refinisher and cover it. It works best for me applied and blended with a cosmetic sponge. Another user mentioned mixing the refinisher with conditioner... I can't wait to experiment with that for a lighter more natural blend, and another user mentioned Jaquard Ex powder pigment mixed with one or both of these to restore any pearl or metallic finish and I'm antsy as heck waiting to try both on two old pretty Ashley bags I have.
I'm going to try to hydrogen peroxide first, if that doesn't work, benzoyl peroxide. If I still fail I am putting my chemist husband to work with a random piece of leather with ink mark on it. Lol!
Please let us know the results of the experiments. How great that you have your own in-house chemist to help out!
Just a follow up... I did dunk this and it came out fine. I didn't wring or scrub it because the fabric pills and fuzzes easily. She's drying now and looks great. I will get my Dritz comb out and try to de-pill and defuzz after it is dry.
I think they emboss the leather to make the crossgrain texture. If you use some type of cleaner on it, I'd probably follow with a very light application of a mild conditioner, like Lexol or Apple, using a cotton cloth to wipe away any excess. You should probably spot test in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn't do something weird to the bag.
Thanks Coach943, they do emboss which is why I was wondering if I could/should condition and if anyone had some insight. Like you said I'll give it a whirl in a inconspicuous area.