Leather Glossary

Aniline

Aniline dye is a transparent, water-based dye used in the leather industry. The dyeing process involves immersing the leather in the dye, allowing it to deeply penetrate the fibers. This ensures that the natural texture and grain of the leather remain visible. Unlike other dyes, aniline dyes do not contain pigments or surface coatings.

Aniline Finished

Leather finish achieved using aniline dyes (See aniline description above).

Antiqued

Antiqued leather is treated to give it an aged appearance. This effect is achieved through various finishing processes that create a patina, resulting in a worn, classic look. The process often involves applying dyes, waxes, or other treatments to create a distressed appearance.

Calfskin

Calfskin leather is made from the hide of a young calf. It is finer and more supple compared to cowhide, making it highly desirable leather. Calfskin is known for its smooth texture, tight grain, and soft feel.

Chrome tanned

Chrome-tanned leather is processed using chromium salts during the tanning phase. This method produces leather that is soft, flexible, and highly water-resistant. Additionally, chrome-tanned leather can be dyed in a variety of vibrant colors. It is the most widely used tanning method in commercial leather production.

Chrome-mixed

Chrome-mixed leather undergoes a combination of chrome and vegetable tanning processes. This method combines the quick and efficient benefits of chrome tanning with the natural and eco-friendly properties of vegetable tanning, resulting in a durable, flexible, and high-quality leather.

Combination tanned

Combination tanned leather is produced using two different tanning technologies. This process often involves chrome tanning combined with another method, such as vegetable tanning, syntans, or aldehyde tanning.

Cowhide 

Cowhide is the natural skin of a cow. Leather made from cowhide is one of the most commonly used types of leather due to its availability, durability, and versatility.

Finish

Finish is the final treatment applied to the leather surface after tanning and dyeing. This process involves adding coatings or treatments to enhance the leather's appearance, texture, and durability.

Full Grain

Full grain leather is made from the top layer of the hide. It retains the natural grain and texture of the animal's skin without any sanding, buffing, or other alterations. 

Goatskin

Goatskin is the natural hide of a goat. When processed into leather, it is known for its softness, lightweight, and durability, making it a popular choice for various leather products.

Grain

Grain is the texture and patterns on the leather's outer surface that are inherent to the animal's skin, including natural markings, pores, wrinkles, and other characteristics unique to each piece.

Milled

Milled leather is the leather that has undergone a post-tanning milling process. During milling, the leather is tumbled in large drums to achieve a softer, more pliable texture. This process also enhances the natural grain of the leather.

Mimosa

Mimosa is a tree from the Acacia species. Extracts from the Mimosa bark are utilized in the leather tanning process as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical tannins. This method not only imparts a unique color and finish to the leather but also enhances its durability, providing a smooth and rich texture.

Nubuck

Nubuck is made from top-grain leather and is sanded or buffed on the grain side to create a slight nap, resulting in a velvet-like surface. This treatment grants Nubuck softness and a plush, matte finish. Although similar to suede, Nubuck is more durable and features a shorter nap because it originates from the stronger outer layer of the hide, in contrast to suede, which is derived from the softer inner layer.

Oil finished

Oil-finished leather refers to leather that has had oil applied to its surface after the tanning process is complete. This finishing technique enhances the leather’s resistance to water and other elements, while also enriching its color and giving it a distinctive sheen. The oil penetrates the leather, improving its durability and flexibility.

Pigmented

Pigmented leather is leather whose surface has been coated with a finish containing fine pigment particles. This process not only ensures a consistent color but also protects the leather's surface from stains and wear. The pigment layer can mask imperfections in the leather, resulting in a smooth and consistent finish.

Pull-up Leather

 Pull-up leather is treated with a blend of oils and waxes, giving it a rich, distressed look and enhancing durability and water resistance. It lightens in color when bent or pulled due to the movement of oils and waxes within the hide. This effect is achieved by applying a base dye layer followed by additional dyes, creating a unique, two-tone appearance that reveals a well-worn finish over time.

Semi-Aniline Finish

This leather is treated with semi-aniline dye, which contains a small amount of pigment. The minimal addition of pigment allows the leather to maintain many of the natural characteristics of full aniline while achieving more consistent coloring and slightly enhanced durability. 

Split

Split leather is the inner layer of the hide after the top layer, or grain layer, has been split away. Split leather is often used for suede, as the splitting process reveals a fibrous texture that can be sanded to produce a soft, velvety surface. Alternatively, it can be further processed and finished to mimic the appearance of top-grain leather.

Suede

Suede is leather made from the inner split of the hide, which is then sanded or buffed to create a napped finish, resulting in a soft, velvety texture. This process gives suede its distinctive luxurious feel and matte appearance.

Top Grain

Top grain leather is essentially full-grain leather that has been altered, for example, sanded or buffed, to remove imperfections and give the leather a uniform appearance. This process results in a flexible, smooth, and high-quality leather.

Vegetable tanned

Vegetable-tanned leather is leather that has been tanned using natural tannins found in various tree barks, leaves, and other organic matter. This traditional and eco-friendly tanning method produces leather that is durable, flexible, and develops a rich patina over time.

Wet blue

Wet blue leather refers to hides that have been treated in the initial stages of the tanning process, specifically through chrome tanning. This process involves treating the hides with chromium salts, which impart a distinctive blue tint, thus the name "wet blue". At this stage, the leather remains moist and has not yet been subjected to drying, dyeing, or finishing processes.