Aniline Dyed - The process of coloring leathers throughout in a
rotating drum using non-toxic aniline dyes. The dye is transparent and therefore
allows all of the natural markings to be visible.
Base Coat - Color
that is applied to a compatible crust color to achieve the final color of an
aniline dyed product.
Buffed Top Grain - The process of sanding or
buffing top grain leather to smooth the high spots of
imperfections.
Corrected - A new grain is printed or embossed on the
leather surface after buffing.
Dyed Crust - Hide or skin that has
been tanned, dyed, and then dried for further finishing process.
Drum
Dyed - A dyeing process at the tannery in which leather is immersed in dye
and tumbled to allow maximum dye penetration.
Embossing - A process of
altering the natural grain of the leather by using plates or rollers creating a
very uniform grain pattern.
Finishing - Any further steps taken after
the dyeing treatment such as rolling, pigmented spraying, lacquering, antiquing,
waxing, buffing, embossing, glazing, waterproofing, or flameproofing in order to
provide more abrasion and stain resistance and/or amore even surface
coloration.
Full Grain - Any leather in which only the hair has been
removed while the grain remains in the original state.
Grain - The
natural or embossed pattern and texture of a hides surface.
Hand -
Term used to describe the softness or feel of leather.
Hand Antiqued -
The hand application of a darker color over a lighter color creating a dramatic
highlight.
Hide - The skin of an animal.
Leather - A generic
term for all hides that have been tanned to a non-perishable
state.
Milling - Process in which hides are tumbled in a drum to
soften the hand or enhance the grain.
Nubuck - A top grain leather
which has a slight nap effect produced by removal of the epidermis.
Pigment Finish - A process of coloring and coating the leather
surface with colorants.
Pull Up - Full grain aniline leather that
derives its color from dyes. When the leather is pulled, the oils or the waxes
in the leather cause the color to dissipate and become lighter in areas which
are pulled tight.
Pure Aniline - Any leather that receives all its
color from aniline dyes only, and has no topical applications. Natural markings
are visible and are to be considered a unique part of each hide.
Semi
Aniline - Leather which has been aniline dyed and then slightly pigmented to
ensure color consistency and resistance to liquids.
Split - During the
tanning process, a hide is split into layers and the underneath portion is
referred to as a split. It is often used in the garment industry as
suede.
Tanning - The process of converting raw hides into a
non-perishable state.
Top Coat - Synthetic transparent polyurethane
resins applied as a clear protective coating to make leather more resistant to
wear and liquids. Finishes vary from a high gloss to a matte.
Top
Grain - During the tanning process, a hide is split into layers and the top
layer is referred to as the top grain.
Vegetable Tanned - Leather
that is tanned using vegetable extracts instead of chromium to make the leather
biodegradable.
Yield - The amount of useable area after all waste and
unacceptable imperfections are discarded.