2025 Catalog

LEATHER TERMS

Altered Leather: Leather with its original surface of the skin or hide removed to get rid of imperfections in the original grain surface. A new grain can be embossed into the leather. Aniline: Leather that is colored all the way through with a transparent dye. The effect is applied by immersing the leather in a dye bath. Because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of the leather, so only the best quality hides can be used. Aniline Finish: Drum-dyed leather finished to have a soft feel, usually coated with protein, resin, lacquer or waxes. Corrected Grain: Leather that has been buffed to remove blemishes, then covered with a new, artificial grain created using pigments and other finishes. Cowhide: OK, this may seem obvious, but cowhide is the hide of a cow. Crocking: Crocking is the process of transferring color or a finish from leather to another material through rubbing or abrasion. Crocking is common with suede, and a white towel can often reveal a significant amount of unstable dye. The dye can become even more unstable when water is introduced. Crust: Crust leather is the term applied to leather, which is dried after tanning but has not yet been dyed. In the case of chrome-tanned leather, this is known as "chrome crust" and, for vegetable-tanned leather, as "vegetable crust". Drawn Grain: Shrunken, shriveled or wrinkled grain surface of leather. Distressed: Leather that has been artifically treated to create signs of aging, sometimes achieved by buffing the surface of the leather for a weathered or worn look. Common leather markings include: shading variations, healed scratches, neck wrinkles, insect bites, barbed wire marks, stretch marks, vein marks and brands. Another term for Antiqued Leather. Drum Dyeing: The process of coloring leather by tumbling it in a rotating drum immersed in dye. A very effective method allowing maximum dye penetration. Drum dyed leather could be 'struck through' but not always. Embossed Leather: Leather that has been stamped, plated or heat pressed with a design or artificial texture under very high pressure, most times involving heat. Fat Wrinkle: Wrinkles in the grain of leather caused by fat deposits in the animal. These are considered a natural Calf Hide: Leather taken from an immature bovine.

feature of leather and don't affect grade.

Finish: Any enhancing surface application effect applied to leather after it has been tanned to color, protect and/ or mask imperfections. Examples are dyeing, embossing, buffing, antiquing, waxing, glossy clear coating, waterproofing, and so on. Full Grain: Natural Grain. The outside original skin or hide that has had the hair removed, but has not been corrected or altered beyond hair removal. Full grain leather is the most genuine type of leather, as it retains all of the original texture and markings of the original hide. Glazed Leather: Aniline-dyed leather in which the surface has been polished to a high luster by passing through glass or steel rollers under great pressure. Grain: A word used to describe the natural characteristics of a hide or skin including the natural texture of the leather, such as its pores, wrinkles, markings, and texture. Hand: A word that describes the feel (i.e. softness, pliability, firmness) of leather. Hand-Tipped: A process used to highlight the pronounced grain and create a beautiful dual tone texture. Usually a darker color is used to tip a lighter color leather. Leather: A generic term used for all kinds of tanned animal hides or skins. Nap: Describes the soft, “fuzzy” effect achieved in leather by buffing or brushing. Napa: Commonly refers to the surface or top grain of any soft leather hide, usually from lambs, calves, kid goats, etc. Nubuck: A leather whose surface or top grain has been lightly buffed and brushed to create a very fine, soft, velvety nap that appears smoother than suede. Nubuck differs from suede in that while suede is created from the flesh (inner) side of a hide, nubuck is created using the grain (outer) side, giving it added strength and durability. Also referred to as Buffed Leather. Oil Tanned: Leather that is tanned using oils to create a pliable finish. This leather often has a “pull-up.” Patent: Heavily finished or laminated leather to achieve a highly lustrous, shiny appearance. Patina: The aura or luster that develops in a quality piece of leather with age.

Pigskin: From pigs or hogs, commonly used for linings and suede.

ALL PRICING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE!

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