Speaking Leather

ANILINE: Aniline is the type dye used to give the initial color to a hide. Aniline dying is the process of putting hides into a drum and allowing the dye to soak completely through the hide. Thus the phrase “aniline dyed” came to be.

BUFFING: This is a process used to minimize the appearance of surface imperfections such as wrinkles, parasitic damage or healed scars in the finished hide. This process makes the leather more uniform, but also changes the natural grain and markings that makes each hide unique and naturally beautiful.

CORRECTED GRAIN: Top grain leather that has been buffed or sanded to minimize imperfections in the hide.

DRUM DYED: A dying process accomplished by tumbling leather in a rotating drum to encourage the dye to penetrate fully.

EMBOSSING: Too mechanically imprint unique grain effects under heat or high pressure in order to smooth the grain or give a unique patterned look (ostrich, alligator, basket weave, etc.). Top grain leathers with excessive imperfections are often buffed smooth and then embossed with a grain pattern.

FULL GRAIN: Full grain leathers are top grain leathers that have not been corrected in any way, allowing the natural markings and character of the leather to show through.

GRAIN: Markings of pattern on the leather surface. Naturally occurring grain is caused by wrinkles, markings and pored in the hide.

HAND: The softness or “feel” of leather.

LEATHER: A collective term used to describe any tanned animal skin.

MILLING: A natural softening process in which leather is tumbled in a drum.

MOTTLED FINISH: The result of blending closely related colors to achieve a more natural look.

NAKED LEATHER: Naked leather is a term used for pure aniline dyed leather where no additional protective coats have been applied. It is the softest and richest looking leather available.

NATURAL MARKINGS: These subtle markings on leather are the equivalent of a finger print. They distinguish genuine leather from man-made materials. These markings include: healed scratches, barbed wire marks, wrinkles, brands, insect bites,and urine burns. NUBUCK LEATHER: Nubuck is a pure aniline product that has been abased to create a slight suede type nap resulting in a very soft hand.

PATINA: A luster that naturally occurs as leather ages.

PROTECTED LEATHER: Protected aniline leather is less expensive and more common than pure aniline or semi-aniline leather. Its coloration is more consistent because it has been coated with protective pigments which also make the leather's natural markings less noticeable. These protected leathers are more heavily pigmented than semi-aniline leather and are easier to clean than pure leather because surface pigments repel water and stains...standing up well to heavy use.

PULL UP: Pull up leather is one that when pulled tight produces a burst of color, used as an upholstery leather it gives a worn weathered appearance or a distressed look. Pull ups are full-aniline leathers that have an oil and/or wax application. When the leather is pulled, the oil and/or wax separates causing the color to become lighter.

PURE ANILINE: Pure aniline finished leather has been soaked in aniline dye, but does not have any subsequent pigment or clear coat finishes applied. Only the cleanest hides which are relatively free from imperfections can be made into aniline finished leather. They are soft, pliable and considered the premier grade of leather.

SAVAGE: A two-toned effect which adds depth to the leather.

SEMI-ANILINE DYED: The term used to describe aniline dyed leather which has only a small amount of clear or pigmented finish. It is a premium product which allows the hide’s natural character to show through.

SPLIT GRAIN: The term refers to the underneath layers of the hide which have been 'split' off from the top grain. Splits are buffed,sanded and embossed to look like top grain leather. Split hides are stiffer than top grain leathers. They are used on less expensive furniture and will not be as long lasting or durable as a top grain leather.

TOP GRAIN: Leather which contains the top portion of the hide...the part that had hair on it. Top grain leather can be full grain or corrected grain leather. The top grain portion of the hide is approximately 3/64'' about the thickness of a penny.