LEATHER GLOSSARY

Altered Leather
Leather that has had the original surface of
the skin or hide removed, (usually due to
imperfections in the original grain surface), and
a new grain embossed into the leather. This
is also called corrected grain. Most top-grain
leathers have altered or corrected grain.
American Bison
American Bison Leather is stronger than
traditional steer hide and is also supple and
durable. They showcase marks of a range
animal, the natural grain of bison hides is not
corrected with artificial embossing or plating.
Aniline
The name given to the particular transparent
dye used to color dyed leather.
Aniline Dyeing
The dyeing process by which transparent dyes
penetrate the cell layers throughout the hide,
producing deep, vibrant colors that preserve the
hide=s natural markings and characteristics.
Aniline Leather
Leather that has been dyed through with
aniline dyes. Pure aniline leathers represent
approximately 5% of all upholstery leathers
produced worldwide.
Antiqued/Distressed Grain
A surface pattern of markings or creases, in
which the hollows are given a contrasting color
to produce a two-tone effect that emulates the
natural signs of aging.
Back
(1) The main portion of a hide, obtained by
cutting off the two bellies.
(2) Leather made from (1) Bark Tanned Leather
vegetable tanned, mainly by means of the
tannins contained in the barks of trees.
Base Coat
Color that is applied to a compatible crust color
to achieve the final color of a semi-aniline dyed
product.
Belly
(1) Part of the hide covering the underside and
the upper part of the legs of the animal.
(2) Leather made from this part.
Belly Grain
The tanned outer (hair or grain) layer split from
a belly.
Blue, In The
The state of hides or animals being chrome
tanned after they have been removed from the
tanning solution. Chromium salts cause the
tanned hides to be light blue before they are
dyed.
Blue Split
A hide or skin which has been split into two
or more layers following the (chrome) tanning
process.
Glossary of Leather Terms
Boardy
An adjective applied to stiff, inflexible leather.
This term is not to be confused with boarding,
which is the process of softening leather.
Bonded Leather
Reconstituted leather that is leather fibers
bonded together with latex.
Brushed Leather
The creation of a velvet-like nap on the grain
surface through a process of controlled surface
abrasion.
Buffed Leather
Leather from which the top surface of the grain
has been removed by an abrasive or bladed
cylinder or, less generally, by hand. In the
case of upholstery leather the buffing process
is invariably carried out by machine, though
it is sometimes incorrectly described as hand
buffed.
Buffed Top Grain
The process of sanding or buffing top
grain leather to smooth the high spots of
imperfection.
Buffing
The process of more or less removing the grain
by abrasion.
Bycast Leather
Leather that is split with a layer of polyurethane
applied to the surface and then embossed -
originally made for the shoe industry.
Cattle Hide
The outer covering of a fully grown bovine
animal.
Chamois Leather
Very soft, flexible leather made from sheep
hides or lambskin; usually tanned with oils.
Chrome Tanned
Leather tanned with chromium salts and/or
chromium sulfate for a supple, pliable effect and
to prevent discoloration and loss of shape when
exposed to moisture.
Combination Tanned
Leather that receives chrome and vegetable
tannage to produce suppleness and body in
the hide.
Cordovan
Leather made from the tight, firm shell portion
of horse butts. Cordovan has very fine pores
and a characteristic finish, and is very durable.
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