Aniline Leather – A type of leather dyed exclusively with water-based dyes without covering the surface with a topcoat paint or pigment. The resulting product retains the hide’s natural surface with the grain. Referred to as pure aniline, aniline and naked leather.
Belly – The underside of the cow. Some leather types will show belly wrinkles which are authenticity of pure aniline leathers.
Bovine – An animal belonging to the cattle or ox family.
Brahma Hide – A type of cow that has a hump in the neck area of the hide, which will create a small slit or hole in the leather.
Breathability – Leather naturally breathes because of its intact grain and pore structure. This allows it to adjust to changes in temperature and moisture, enhancing comfort and performance.
Buffed Leather – Leather that has the grain removed to alter or correct the grain.
Chrome Tanned – Leather tanned with chromium salts resulting in soft hides.
Corrected Grain – Referring to the surface of the leather, which has been sanded, buffed and altered to form a uniform grain texture.
Distressed Leather – Leather that has been made to appear cracked, brushed, waxed, faded or wrinkled.
Drum Dye – The application of dye/color by immersion in a large drum and tumbled. This process allows full penetration of the dye into the fiber of the hide.
Embossed Leather – Hides or skins finished with designs pressed into the surface by engraved plates or rollers. Embossed designs may be an imitation of grain textures, ostrich, crocodiles or floral patterns.
Fat Wrinkles – Created by subcutaneous fat deposits of the cowhide and are usually near the neck or belly of a hide.
Finish – The surface application on leather regarding the pigment or topcoat protection added. It refers to all processes to leather after it has been tanned.
Foil Leather – A decorative paper transfer process applied to the surface of a suede-based leather.
Full Grain – Leather in which the original grain layer has not been buffed or sanded.
Grain – Referring to the natural surface texture of the hide or skin. The animal skins’ outermost layer will show its unique wrinkles, pores, and textures
Hair on Hide – Leather that has been tanned and conditioned without removing the hair from the skin or hide.
Hand – A leather industry term used to describe the feel, softness or fullness of upholstery leather.
Cowhide – The pelt of a large animal. Often referred to as a “hide”.
Leather – An animal hide or skin that has been preserved for use with hair-removal processes.
Patina – A natural characteristic that develops on aniline, wax, or pull-up leather through normal use over time.
Pigmented – Leather that has been sprayed with a pigmented, opaque finish for color consistency.
Protected Leather – Leather that has been dyed and pigmented to ensure color topcoat consistency and provide protection against wear. Durable leather that is meant to last.
Pull Up Leather – A leather type that receives an oil or wax application. Will exhibit a subtle burst of color when pulled tightly across a frame.
Purely Protected® – is a leather that looks like a natural, aniline, distressed, or oiled leather but has the attributes of a protected leather. Purely Protected® is an exclusive category developed by Carroll Leather.
Two-Tone – A marbled appearance created by blending two or more similar colors, also known as Sauvage.
Side – Half a hide cut along the backbone.
Semi-Aniline Leather – An aniline leather that has a pigment base applied to give the leather an opaque color. Then, finish is applied by hand for a subtle two-toned effect. Lastly, a topcoat is added for light protection.
Split Leather – Leather made from the bottom layer of a hide by removing the top grain. Splits can be finished into pigmented leather or used as suedes.
Suede – Skin layer under the top grain that has no finish and has a velvety nap.
Nubuck – Are produced by running the surface of leather on a carborundum or wheel to lightly separate the fibers to give the leather a nap surface. Nubuck leathers are made on top grain leather only.
Top Grain – The top surface of the hide that originally holds the hair.
Unfinished Leather – Usually defined as a pure aniline or naked leather with no additional finish or topical treatments applied.
Upholstery Leather – A general term for leather used to cover furniture applications, automotive and aircraft seating.
