Glossary of Leather Terms
A
Abrasive Finish: A finish applied to leather to increase its resistance to wear or abrasion.
Aging: The natural process of leather developing a patina and becoming softer and more flexible over time.
Aldehyde Tanning: A tanning process that uses aldehydes to create white leather, often used in automotive interiors.
Alum-Tanned Leather: Leather tanned using alum salts, producing a pale, flexible material commonly used in bookbinding.
Aniline Leather: Leather dyed using soluble dyes, allowing the natural grain to show.
Aniline Finish: A finishing process that uses aniline dyes for rich, deep color, retaining the natural surface characteristics.
Aniline Plus Leather: Aniline-dyed leather with a light protective finish for added durability.
Antiqued Leather: Leather treated to give it a vintage or aged appearance.
Artificial Leather (Faux Leather): A synthetic material designed to imitate genuine leather, used as a vegan alternative.
Astringency: Refers to the firmness and tightness of leather fibers.
Astringent Tanning: A process that shrinks leather fibers to create a firmer texture.
B
Barrel-Dyed Leather: Leather dyed in a rotating drum to ensure even color penetration.
Bark Tanned: Leather tanned using tannins from tree bark, often associated with vegetable tanning.
Baseball Leather: Durable leather used in the making of baseball gloves.
Bating: The process of softening hides using enzymes after liming and before tanning.
Belly: The lower part of the hide, which is less durable and stretchier than other areas.
Biscuit Leather: Extremely soft, pliable leather often used in luxury goods.
Bleaching: A process that removes the natural color from leather before dyeing.
Boarded Leather: Leather that has been worked and stretched to soften and create texture.
Bonded Leather: A material made from leather scraps bonded with synthetic materials.
Brain Tanning: A traditional method of tanning using animal brains to soften hides.
Buffalo Leather: Leather made from buffalo hides, known for its durability and unique grain pattern.
Buffed Leather: Leather that has been sanded to smooth the surface or create a velvety texture.
Burnishing: Polishing the edges of leather to create a smooth, sometimes glossy edge.
Burnt Leather: Leather that has been darkened intentionally using heat for decorative purposes.
Butt: The central part of the hide, often the strongest and thickest area.
C
Calfskin: Leather from a young cow, known for its softness and fine grain.
Cattle Hide: Leather from the hide of a mature cow, valued for its strength and durability.
Chrome-Free Leather: Leather tanned without the use of chromium salts, often seen as more environmentally friendly.
Chrome Tanning: A tanning process using chromium salts, known for producing soft and durable leather quickly.
Combination Finish: A finish that combines multiple techniques, such as aniline dyeing with a protective coating.
Combination Tanning: Leather tanned using both vegetable and chrome methods to combine their benefits.
Corrected Grain: Leather that has been sanded or buffed to remove imperfections, often with a protective finish.
Cordovan Leather: A luxurious leather made from horsehide, particularly prized for its smooth texture.
Crust Leather: Leather that has been tanned and dried but not yet finished or dyed.
Croc Leather: Leather made from crocodile skin, highly valued for its exotic and unique texture.
D
Deerskin Leather: Soft, flexible leather made from deer hides, commonly used in gloves and jackets.
Delaminating: When bonded or bicast leather layers begin to separate due to wear or poor quality.
Degraining: The process of removing the top grain from leather to create a smooth surface.
Double Butt: The thickest part of the hide, often used for belts and heavy-duty products.
Double-Faced Leather: Leather finished on both sides for a smooth, durable appearance.
Drum-Dyed Leather: Leather dyed in a rotating drum for an even and deep color throughout.
Dry-Tanned Leather: Leather that has been air-dried instead of treated with oils, resulting in a firmer product.
Distressed Leather: Leather that has been artificially worn or treated to give it a rugged, aged appearance.
E
Edge Binding: A technique where the raw edges of leather are reinforced for strength and durability.
Edge Staining: Applying color or stain to the edges of leather goods to improve appearance and match the overall finish.
Efflorescence: A white residue sometimes found on leather, caused by the migration of salts or fats to the surface.
Embossed Leather: Leather pressed with a pattern or design for decorative purposes.
Embossing Plate: The tool used to imprint patterns onto leather during the embossing process.
Embroidery on Leather: A decorative stitching technique used to add designs onto the leather surface.
Enamel Leather: Leather coated with a glossy finish, often used in fashion accessories.
Exotic Leather: Leather from non-traditional animals like snakes, alligators, ostriches, and stingrays.
F
Fat Wrinkles: Natural folds or lines in the hide, valued for their uniqueness and authenticity.
Fatliquoring: Adding oils to leather during production to improve softness and flexibility.
Finish: The final coating or treatment applied to leather to give it a particular appearance and protection.
Flame-Retardant Leather: Leather treated to resist burning, commonly used in automotive and aviation industries.
Flat Leather: Leather that has been stretched flat, often used in upholstery.
Flayed: The process of removing the skin from an animal, impacting the quality of the leather.
Flesh Side: The underside of the leather, opposite the grain, often processed into suede.
Foamed Leather: Leather that has been layered with foam for a cushioned texture, used in seating and footwear.
Foiling: Applying metallic or colored foils to leather for a decorative effect.
French-Calf Leather: A soft, fine-grain leather from calfskin, often used in luxury items.
Fringe Leather: Leather cut into narrow strips for decoration, often seen on jackets and bags.
Full-Grain Leather: Leather that retains the hide’s natural surface, known for its durability and natural beauty.
G
Garnet Leather: Leather dyed to a rich, deep red color, similar to the gemstone garnet.
Gator Leather: Leather made from alligator skin, prized for its exotic and high-end aesthetic.
Glazed Leather: Leather polished to produce a shiny surface, commonly used in shoes and belts.
Glovey: Very soft and flexible leather, typically used in making gloves or soft clothing.
Grain: The outermost layer of the hide, where the natural surface texture is found.
Grain Correction: The process of sanding or buffing the grain surface to remove imperfections.
Grain Side: The outer surface of the hide that retains the natural texture and hair follicles.
Grading Leather: Sorting leather into different quality categories based on imperfections and consistency.
H
Hand: The feel of leather, including texture, softness, and flexibility.
Hair-on Hide: Leather that retains the animal’s hair, typically used for decorative purposes.
Half-Grain Leather: Leather with some grain intact but slightly altered or sanded for a smoother appearance.
Harness Leather: Thick, durable leather used for making saddles and other equestrian equipment.
Hide: The entire skin of an animal before it is processed into leather.
Hot Stuffed Leather: Leather treated with waxes and oils for flexibility and water resistance.
Hydrophobic Leather: Leather treated to be water-resistant, commonly used in outdoor footwear and gear.
I
Imprinted Leather: Leather that has been stamped or pressed with a specific design or logo.
In-Grain Leather: Another term for full-grain leather, where the natural surface remains intact.
Iridescent Leather: Leather with a shimmering, multi-colored surface created through special finishes.
Ironed Leather: Leather pressed with heat for a smooth, polished finish.
J
Jacket Leather: Leather treated for flexibility and lightweight qualities, suitable for outerwear.
Jacquard Leather: Leather embossed or printed with intricate, repeating patterns inspired by fabric jacquards.
Jewel-Toned Leather: Leather dyed in vibrant colors that resemble gemstones such as emerald, ruby, or sapphire.
K
Karung Leather: Exotic leather made from the skin of the Karung snake, known for its fine, pebble-like texture.
Kid Leather: Soft leather made from the hide of young goats, often used in high-end gloves and shoes.
Kipskin: Leather from a young cow or calf, softer than leather from older animals.
Kangaroo Leather: Lightweight yet strong leather made from kangaroo hides, often used in performance footwear.
Krumen Finish: A heavy, waterproof finish applied to leather for extreme durability.
L
Latigo Leather: Durable leather made from cowhide, used in outdoor products such as saddles and belts.
Leather: Material made from animal hides through a process of tanning to preserve and soften it.
Leathercraft: The art of creating objects from leather, including carving, tooling, and assembling leather goods.
Leather Conditioner: A product used to moisturize and protect leather, preventing it from drying out or cracking.
Leather Finish: The final treatment applied to leather after tanning, affecting its look and feel.
Leather Grain: The natural texture on the surface of leather, visible in full-grain leather.
Leather Splitter: A tool used to separate hides into thinner layers.
Liming: A step in leather production where hides are soaked in lime to remove hair and fats.
Luxury Leather: High-quality leather used in premium goods, often made from full-grain or exotic hides.
M
Matte Leather: Leather with a non-glossy, smooth surface finish.
Milled Grain Leather: Leather that has been softened and enhanced by tumbling in a drum.
Mill-Dyed Leather: Leather dyed in a mill to ensure deep and consistent coloring.
Mock Croc: Leather embossed with a crocodile pattern to mimic real crocodile leather.
Morocco Leather: Fine, soft leather made from goatskin, commonly used in bookbinding and luxury goods
N
Naked Finish: Leather that has been minimally treated, leaving the natural grain visible.
Naked Leather: Leather with no protective coating, giving it a natural, soft texture but making it more prone to damage.
Nap: The raised, fuzzy surface of leather such as suede or nubuck.
Nappa Leather: Soft, full-grain leather made from unsplit hides, often used in luxury products.
Natural Grain Leather: Leather that retains its natural grain structure, without sanding or buffing.
Nickel Leather: Leather made from nickel-plated animal hides, often used for decorative purposes.
Nicking: Small cuts or imperfections found in the leather, often caused during hide removal.
Nubuck: A type of leather sanded on the grain side to give it a soft, velvety texture.
O
Oil Tanning: A tanning process where oils are used to soften leather and make it water-resistant.
Oiled Leather: Leather treated with oils for extra flexibility and water resistance.
Outre Leather: Leather with bold, unconventional finishes or colors, used in avant-garde fashion.
Overdyed Leather: Leather that has been dyed multiple times for a deep, rich color.
P
Patent Leather: Leather with a high-gloss finish, often used in formal shoes and handbags.
Pebbled Leather: Leather with a textured, bumpy surface, often created through embossing.
Perforated Leather: Leather punched with small holes for decorative or practical purposes, such as breathability.
Patina: The natural aging process of leather that develops a sheen and unique character over time.
Pigmented Finish: A finish that uses pigments to create a solid color and hide imperfections.
Pigmented Leather: Leather coated with pigment for a uniform color and increased durability.
Piping: A decorative or reinforcing strip of leather sewn along the edges of leather products.
Plating: Pressing leather between plates to create a smooth or embossed surface.
Pull-Up Leather: Leather that lightens when stretched, showing natural color variations in the hide.
Q
Quirk: A small fold or ridge that forms naturally in leather during processing.
Quilted Leather: Leather sewn with padding to create a raised, cushioned pattern.
R
Rawhide: Untanned animal hide, stiffer than leather and often used in drumheads and laces.
Raw Edge: Unfinished leather edges, left rough for a rustic appearance.
Reconstituted Leather: Another term for bonded leather, made from leather scraps and synthetics.
Retanned Leather: Leather that has undergone a second tanning process to enhance its properties.
Roll Grain Leather: Leather that has been rolled to smooth out the grain and create a uniform texture.
Rough-Out Leather: Leather where the rough, unfinished side is used as the outer surface.
Russet Leather: Leather left in its natural, undyed state, often used for tooling.
S
Saddle Leather: Thick, durable leather used for saddles and other outdoor equipment.
Saddle Soap: A cleaning and conditioning product used to maintain leather goods.
Saddleback Leather: Extremely durable leather often used in making saddles and other heavy-duty items.
Sauvage: A marbled or mottled effect used in finishing leather for a natural look.
Shearling: Leather with the wool still attached, often used in coats and jackets for warmth.
Shirring: A decorative technique where leather is gathered or pleated.
Side: Half of a hide, split down the backbone, commonly used in belts and upholstery.
Slink Leather: Soft leather made from the skin of unborn or stillborn animals, valued for its fine texture.
Skiver: A thin piece of leather taken from the grain side, often used for linings or coverings.
Split Leather: Leather made from the lower layers of a hide after it has been split from the grain.
Split-Suede Leather: Suede made from the inner layers of the hide, with a soft, velvety texture.
Snuffed Leather: Leather lightly sanded to remove imperfections and create a smooth surface.
Suede: Leather with a soft, napped finish, typically made from split leather.
T
Tapadero Leather: Leather used to cover the stirrups on a saddle, often with decorative tooling.
Tanning: The process of treating hides to produce durable, preserved leather.
Tawing: A preservation process using alum and salts, often predating modern tanning methods.
Tool Leather: Leather specifically designed for tooling and carving, often firm and vegetable-tanned.
Tooling: Carving or stamping designs into leather.
Top-Grain Leather: Leather where the top layer has been sanded to remove imperfections, typically thinner and more flexible than full-grain leather.
Toggles: Fastening devices made from leather or wood, often used on jackets and coats.
U
Upholstery Leather: Leather designed for furniture or car interiors, valued for its durability.
Untreated Leather: Leather that has not been finished, dyed, or chemically treated, often left in its natural state.
V
Vat-Dyed Leather: Leather dyed in a vat to ensure even color saturation.
Vachetta Leather: Untreated, vegetable-tanned leather that darkens over time, commonly used in high-end luggage and handbags.
Vegetal Leather: Another term for vegetable-tanned leather.
Vegetable Tanning: A traditional method of tanning leather using natural plant materials.
Veg Tan Leather: Short for vegetable-tanned leather, known for its rich patina development over time.
W
Water Buffalo Leather: Leather made from water buffalo hides, known for its strength and rugged texture.
Water-Resistant Leather: Leather treated to resist water penetration, though not fully waterproof.
Wax Finish: A treatment applied to leather to create a protective, water-resistant layer with a smooth or matte finish.
Waxed Leather: Leather treated with wax to improve its durability and weather resistance.
Wax-Pull Leather: Leather that has been treated with wax, giving it a rich, pull-up effect when stretched.
Wet-Blue: Leather that has been chrome-tanned but not yet finished or dyed.
Whole Hide: The full animal hide, used in larger applications like upholstery.
Y
Yield: The usable area of leather from a hide, typically measured after cutting.
Z
Zebu Leather
Leather made from the hides of zebu cattle, commonly found in tropical regions. It is known for its distinctive grain pattern and toughness.
Zigzag Stitching
A stitching pattern used for both decoration and reinforcement in leather goods.