Aniline Dyed |
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Refers to color which permeates the hide totally. |
Aniline-Plus |
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Leathers which have been aniline dyed, then coated with matching pigments to even out the color (also called "semi-aniline"). This finish does not mask the natural characteristics of the hide. |
Antiqued |
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The Light application of one color over another (usually a darker color over a lighter one), to create highlights. |
Buffed |
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Leather may be buffed with an abrasive wheel to minimize surface blemishes, such as healed scratches. This technique obliterates the natural grain. |
Corrected Grain Leather |
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Leather whose natural surface texture has been altered. |
Drum-Dyed |
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A dying process in which leather is immersed in dye and tumbled in a rotating drum, allowing maximum dye penetration. |
Dyeing |
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The application of color, either by spraying, hand rubbing or immersion. |
Emboss |
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During finishing operations leathers are pressed with an embossing plate under heat and high pressure to either lay out the grain as smoothly as possible or to impart a textured effect. |
Finishing |
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This is the application of coloring substances which provide abrasion and stain resistance, as well as color enhancement. This process usually involves three or four coating operations applied by spray or by hand. |
Full Top Grain |
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Refers to leathers which are not buffed or sanded, a term applied only to premium leathers. |
Glazed |
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A smooth, high gloss transparent coat applied to leather. |
Grain |
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The distinctive pore and wrinkle pattern of a hide; may be either natural or embossed. |
Hand |
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The reaction of the sense of touch when leather is held in the hand. |
Hand Antique |
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Leather is antiqued by hand applying a darker color over a lighter base, much as wood is stained to emphasize natural grain. |
Hides |
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Skin of large animals, usually cattle. |
Hot Stuffing |
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A process that infuses dyes, waxes and oils into the surface of the leather under heat and pressure. |
Leather |
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A generic term for all hides and skins which have been tanned and finished. |
Nubuck |
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Top grain leather buffed to create a suede effect. |
Neck Wrinkles |
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The natural creases that exist in the neck and shoulder areas of the hide. |
Patina |
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A lustre that develops with time and use. |
Pigment Finish |
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Coloring of the hide by using a coating which contains opaque pigments. This insures a uniformity of shade and resistance to fading. |
Premium Select |
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A term describing hides with minimal amount of scars or blemishes, usually less than 5% of all hides. |
Pure-Aniline |
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Buttery, glove-soft leathers which are tumbled for up to 12 hours in drums containing transparent dyes. |
Rugged Leather |
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Scratches, blemishes, abraisions and scars will be visible in most areas and will range from light to dark in color. |
Sanding (Buffing) |
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Refers to the removal of grain, scars and blemishes from a hide. |
Split |
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The underneath layer of the hide which has been "split" off when the top grain is separated. |
Suede |
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Leathers that are finished by buffing to produce a nap. Suede does not have the same durable characteristics as top grain leather. |
Tanning |
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Teating raw Hides to reduce perishability. |
Tanning Agents |
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Today's upholstery leathers are tanned with soluble chromium sulphate. Synthetic tannins and vegetable materials may also be used in combination. |
Top Grain |
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Indicates that the leather surface has been corrected. |
Tumbling |
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A process in which hides are tumbled in a rotating drum to soften the hand or enhance the grain. |
