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GLOSSARY OF LEATHER TERMS

Glossary of Leather Terms
Each season brings new leathers with new names and characteristics onto the market; here
are some of our commonly used leather terms:

Aniline

Leather that is tumbled in vats so the dye is completely absorbed by the skin. There is no other
coloring agents or process, thus the finished leather tends to look and feel more "natural"
the unique markings and character of each skin are apparent. By way of analogy, this
treatment is akin to the "staining" of wood. Usually, the best quality hides are reserved
for this process, as aniline leathers are valued highest by consumers.

Corrected Grain Leather

whose natural surface texture has been altered.

Drum-dyed
A dyeing process in which leather is immersed in dye and tumbled in a rotating drum, allowing
maximum dye penetration.
Dyeing
The application of color, either by spraying, hand rubbing or immersion.
Embossing
A process in which design is added to leather by pressure to alter or correct the surface resulting in
uniform imitation grain.
Finishing
Any post tanning treatment, such as: dyeing, rolling, pressing, spraying, lacquering, antiquing,
waxing, buffing, embossing, glazing, waterproofing, or flame proofing.
Grain
The distinctive pore and wrinkle pattern of a hide; may be either natural or embossed.
Hand
 A term used to describe the softness or feel of leather.
Hides
Skin of large animals, usually cattle.
Leather
A generic term for all hides and skins which have been tanned and finished.
Napa
A term used for leatherized sheepskins.
Nubuc
Aniline leathers on which the surface has been brushed to create a texture similar to
that of velvet. It is often mistaken for suede, but suede is the flesh side of a piece of leather
while Nubuc is an effect that is done to the grain side, making it considerably stronger.
Patina
A luster that develops with time and use.
Pigmented
Leather that has been sprayed with a surface color in addition or instead of the dye process
and is analogous to the "painting" of wood. While generally less appealing to the touch
than aniline leather, pigmented skins are required for applications such as motorcycle
leathers where durability is the key consideration.
Premium select
A term describing hides with a minimal amount of scars or blemishes, usually less than 5%
of all hides. Sangla Sports uses only premium select hides.
Sanding
Refers to the removal of scars and blemishes from a hide by buffing.
Semi-Aniline
Leathers which are a combination of both pigmented and aniline dyed; a very light pigment
is added to even out the color and increase the durability.
Splits
Underlying layers of leather usually used for suedes.
Suede
Suede is the underneath portion of a hide after the splitting process. Compared to the durable
top grain, this layer of the hide is much thinner.
Tanning
Treating raw hides to become nonperishable.
Tumbling
A process in which hides are tumbled in a rotating drum to soften the hand