Leather Terminology
Leather that has been thoroughly immersed in a dye-bath but has not received any coating or pigmented finish. This method of transparent dye penetrates the hide with color.
These are the natural wrinkles in the leather’s grain that are a result of a cow's skin stretching. Fat wrinkles are unique to each hide and are typically only visible in full grain leathers. These wrinkles are most common around the neck and shoulder areas of the hide.
The outer cut derived from the hair side of the hide, from which nothing but the hair and its associated epidermis has been removed.
Any process performed after the initial dyeing stage, including buffing, embossing, milling, spraying, etc. Finished leathers are treated with a topcoat substance to help provide abrasion and stain resistance and may also include additional pigments or dyes for coloring. These topcoats can be lacquers, varnishes, polymers, or enamels.
Leathers grain that has not received any alterations. Natural grain leathers often show the hides healed scars, fat wrinkles, insect bites, etc.
These are a top grain, aniline dyed leather that have been buffed to create a “suede-like” nap effect.
Leather that has been aniline dyed and exhibits natural markings and characteristics as its grain has not received any alterations.
The resulting marbled appearance created by blending two or more similar colors on a hide.
Leather produced from the lower skin split of a hide, thus possessing a velvet like nap effect. Suedes do not have the same durable characteristics as top grain leathers.
Leather produced from the top portion of the skin split. Top grain can be either full grain or embossed grain and produce a stronger, more flexible hide.