ANILINE DYE

A transparent, water-based dye, originally produced from the indigo plant, that is used to color leather. The leather is dyed all the way through in an immersion process, so that the natural characteristics of the leather are visible.

Aniline Leather

Aniline leathers (sometimes called protected aniline or aniline plus) is similar to a pure aniline, except the leather undergoes additional finishing processes where clear treatments such as oils, waxes or protective coats and/or transparent aniline dyes are applied to even the color, protect it from wear and stains, or to create a different effect such as a distress or pull-up. Leathers classified as aniline cannot be treated with pigments. Aniline leathers can be either full grain or lightly buffed (mezzo fiore), and may include a light embossing for grain consistency.

ANTIQUE LEATHER

A two-toned leather, often with a high sheen, made with all the benefits of modern-day technology but designed to look aged.

BLUE or WET-BLUE

Leather hides with the hair removed that have been tanned (preserved) but not yet finished. Chromium salts used in the tanning process cause the hides to turn light blue in color. Also referred to as raw material.

buffed leather

Leather from which the top surface of the grain has been removed by an abrasive cylinder. Also referred to as brushed, nubuck or sueded leather.

calf

The hide of a young or immature bovine animal not exceeding 34 square feet in area and 1.00 millimeters in thickness.

chrome-free

(“White” Tannage): A technology introduced in the 21st century, used to replace chrome, which is not biodegradable, with an alternate tannage. Usually employing a mineral called gluteraldehyde, chrome-free leather will biodegrade in an environmentally-friendly way at the end of its useful life.

combination tanning

The process of first chrome-tanning leather and then further tanning it with vegetable agents, resulting in leather that is firm, yet supple. Sometimes referred to as retanning.

corrected leather

Leather whose surface has been partially removed by buffing and upon which a new surface has been built by various finishes and embossments. This process should remove only the top of the hair follicles. Also referred to as top grain.

crust

Leather that has been tanned and dyed, but not finished.

Drum

A revolving cylindrical vat which can hold up to 10,000 s.f. of leather, used for processes such as washing, tanning, aniline-dyeing and milling leather hides.

embossed leather

Leather embossed with a raised pattern either imitating or resembling the grain pattern of some animal or with a decorative design.

finishing

The final methods and processes of preparing leather for use, occurring after the tanning process, which makes the leather serviceable and aesthetically pleasing. It includes applying color, sheen and protective agents to the leather.

Full grain

Leather bearing the original skin surface, from which nothing except hair has been removed by buffing. The naked eye can see the peaks and valleys of the natural surface of the skin.

grain

The outer side of a hide, which includes the pores, follicles and other natural characteristics, after the hair has been removed.

hand

The term that describes leather's softness and feel.

hand antiqued

The process whereby skilled craftspeople hand-rub a contrasting color onto the surface of the leather to accentuate the natural grain or embossing.

milling

The process by which tanned hides are tumbled in rotating drum s using a combination of heat and a misting of water to soften the hand or enhance the grain.

naked leather

Leather that has been aniline-dyed in the drum and then topcoated with aniline dyes devoid of oil-based pigments. Naked leathers are pure and transparent but are less well-protected against staining and fading than semi-aniline leathers.

natural grain

Leather whose grain has not been altered in any way, such as by buffing, applying pigments or embossing, revealing the natural appearance of the grain.

nubuck

Full-grain, aniline-dyed leather that is buffed to create a soft and velvety nap.

patina

A surface luster that develops on pure anilines and nubucks, which grows more beautiful with use and the passing of time.

pigment

An oil based coloration applied superficially to the surface of leather. Opaque and insoluble in water, it provides color and uniformity, as well as extra protection to the surface of the leather.

Pigmented Leather

Pigmented leathers are a top-grain leather which has been aniline dyed in the drum, and then extensively finished to conceal natural markings and protect the leather against extreme usage. Pigmented leathers are buffed to remove natural markings like scratches and bug bites, finished with opaque pigments and protective top-coats and strongly embossed (sometimes called “corrected grain”) for enhanced durability, stain and fade resistance, and to hide nearly all natural markings and imperfections.

plating

The process of producing a smooth grain surface on leather by pressing it under a pressurized, heated metal plate.

pure aniline leather

Sometimes called “naked aniline,” pure aniline leather has been aniline dyed in the drum with no color (dyes or pigments) and only minimal other treatments are applied in the finishing process. Typically a full-grain, premium-quality (top 3-5%) bull hide is used since this is the most natural looking leather possible. All original surface characteristics of the hide, including color variation, grain variation and natural markings such as scratches and bug-bites remain visible.

semi-aniline leather

Semi-aniline leather has been aniline dyed in the drum and finished with a process that includes a light surface coating of pigment for enhanced scratch and abrasion resistance as well as color consistency, but not so much as to completely conceal the natural characteristics of the hide. Semi-aniline leathers will exhibit a more consistent color and fewer natural markings than aniline leathers. Semi-aniline leathers include full grain and lightly buffed (mezzo fiore) leathers and the leather may be lightly embossed for grain consistency.

silicon

Silicon is the 14th element on the periodic table. It is considered a metalloid since it has properties of both metals and nonmetals. Silicone is the second most abundant element in our Earth's crust, after oxygen.

silicone

Energy extracts pure silicon from quartzite, which is processed in combination with carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to become silicone. Silicone material is used to make everyday products such as sealants, beauty products, food-grade kitchen utensils, baby-safe accessories, and upholstery.

splitting

The process of dividing a hide horizontally into layers. A cowhide typically can be split into three usable layers, the top layer known as the skin or grain surface, and the center and bottom splits known as suede.

suede

The horizontal split of a leather hide, usually with a velvet-like nap. Typically, suede hides average 18 square feet.

tanning

The process of stabilizing perishable raw hides by the use of tanning materials into the permanent form of leather. This is known as the preservation process.

tipping

The process of applying a contrasting color to the raised area of an embossed hide, usually applied with a roller.

vegetable tanning

The conversion of raw hides into leather by soaking in tannins extracted from trees and plants mixed with water. The result is leather that has greater body and firmness than chromium-tanned leather.