| Aniline: |
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Drum dyed leather, producing a soft, smooth feel. They are usually coated with a protein, resin, or lacquer. Because the finish is transparent, it shows the natural markings of the leather and only the best quality hides can be used.
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| Antiqued: |
Leather that is dyed with one colour over another (often darker over lighter) creating rich highlights and an artificial aged appearance. Can also be called distressed leather.
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| Buffed Leather: |
Leather from which the top surface has been removed by abrasion. Also known as nubuck or suede.
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| Distressed: |
Buffing surface to create uneven colouration and markings for a weathered look. Another term for antiqued leather.
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| Embossed: |
Leather that has been 'stamped' either with a texture, or a design, under high pressure. Commonly reptile prints are used.
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| Glazed finish: |
Surface is polished to a high luster by pressurized glass or steel rollers.
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| Grain: |
A word used to describe the natural characteristics of an unprocessed hide, such as textures, wrinkles and markings.
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| Lambskin: |
From a lamb or young sheep, soft and lightweight.
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| Leather: |
A generic term used for all kinds of tanned animal hides or skins.From a lamb or young sheep, soft and lightweight.
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| Napa: |
Refers to the surface or top grain of any soft leather hide.
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| Nubuck: |
Lightly buffed top grain to a very fine nap that appears smoother than suede.
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| Oil Tanned: |
Leather that is tanned using oils to create a very soft, pliable finish.
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| Perforated: |
Leather in which a pattern of small holes is stamped using a die.
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| Pigskin: |
From pigs or hogs, commonly used for suedes.
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| Sherling: |
Natural lamb pelts with the leather side sueded and worn on the outside, and the wool on the inside.
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| Split Leather: |
This is when a hide is split, the term refers to the top surface which looks like suede but is not as soft. Split leather is more fragile than a full-grain leather.
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| Suede: |
Leathers that are finished by buffing the underside of a hide, producing a velvet-like nap.
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| Top Grain: |
Leather whose top (outer most layer) layers have been left intact, as opposed to split.
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| Weight: |
A term which describes the thickness or heaviness of leather. Often measured in millimeters.
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