Remove Tumi Monogram Frame?
 

I just picked up a TUMI Alpha 2 T-Pass® Business Class Brief Pack®, after almost 16 years with my Alpha briefcase. The briefcase looks amazing virtually like new after daily use (just a little wear on the leather accents), but I figured after all those years it was time to switch to a backpack. My briefcase didn't have the monogram patch, as an original Alpha, and I rather don't like the idea of monogramming it or the empty frame itself. Does anyone know how to remove the monogram frame that holds the monogramable leather without harming the bag? Thanks!

Unfortunately, removing the metal frame that holds the current Tumi monogram patch, will leave a hole where the metal frame is affixed to each Tumi bag.

Tumi shifted design from directly stitching Tumi leather monogram patches onto its products, to affixing the metal frame that holds the 3M adhesive leather monogram patch in the late 90s/early 00s.

I would not recommend removing the metal monogram frame from modern Tumi luggage products.

Best option is just to leave the leather patch nude and not monogrammed.

Thanks very very much. It's disappointing though. In 2018, a monogrammed backpack isn't quite in style.

The current and future marketing strategy for Tumi will continue on this trend, as Samsonite S.A. reported a revenue increase of 15.3% and a profit margin of 56.1%, specifically for Tumi in 2017.

As far as Samsonite is concerned, they will most likely continue to keep the monogram style, as is. The current method proves convenient for its outlets to do immediate monogram service on-site rather than the previous process of removing the whole leather patch and restitching the patch onto each bag.

Why not see this as an opportunity to include a little art in life?
Instead of your initial monogram, the leather patch could be embellished with any number of designs!
Or even a graphic logo if there is something that is important to you. If you like clean cut designs, there are plenty of those.
If this doesn't strike your imagination, you could even query those who know you well to see what they think might be suitable....
At any rate, to be conservative and give this time to evolve, I would simply leave the blank leather patch in place for now. It is a beautiful piece of leather for one thing, and will only look better as it ages.
Plus, over time, the right design for this patch may come to you, somehow. Perhaps when you least expect it!

If I'm not mistaken, outlet products don't seem to have the monogram patch. When I was at a couple of stores recently, I was curious to see which items were "close-out" items that were sold as the regular Tumi line and which were designed specifically for the outlet. I noticed that the majority of the products didn't have the monogram patch, which led me to believe that may be the difference.

As of 2018, of the 22 collections in Tumi's current line-up, 12 of the luggage collections do not have leather monogram features.

Those collections include:

Arrive, Ashton, Beldon, CFX, Georgica, Harrison, Mariella, Monaco, Nassau, Province, Stanton, and Voyageur

I'm assuming, since schalliol mentioned his luggage from 16 years ago, that is still the original Tumi "Alpha" line.

Tumi was also in its end phase of shifting manufacturing operations from "Made in USA" to its Chinese factories.

Tumi did not start aggressively adding seasonal collections until 2006.

Hey I know this is some time after this post but do you have instructions on how to use a micro flathead screwdriver to pull the tag off. I have one but cannot figure out where to insert it or how to do it. Thanks.