Aniline Leather:
Leather that has been dyed with aniline dyes. Only premium select full, top-grain
hides are dyed in this manner, which permeates the entire hide resulting in
a rich color.
Antiquing:
A method of aging the appearance of a hide. Usually done by hand, this technique
is best suited for full-grain hides.
Buffing:
The mechanical process which removes scars and scratches from hides.
Corrected Grain Leather:
Although all hides feature natural blemishes, these marks are buffed out to
create corrected grain leather. After buffing, an artificial grain is embossed
into the hide. Corrected grain leather offers the sturdiest finish and is the
most economical leather covering.
Cowhide:
In upholstery terms, the entire hide of a bovine - which averages 45-55 square
feet.
Drum Dyeing:
Also known as vat dyeing. This process assures full dye penetration; the hides
are immersed in dye and tumbled in a steel drum.
Embossing:
The process in which permanent artificial grain patterns are added through heat
and pressure to corrected grain hides.
Fat Wrinkles:
Marks or wrinkles in the leather grain caused by natural fat deposits. These
"beauty marks" are not visible in corrected grain leather.
Finishing:
Any treatment or process performed after tanning. Includes antiquing, dyeing,
embossing, glazing, lacquering and pigmenting.
Full Grain:
Leather in which the natural grain pattern has not been mechanically altered.
Full-grain leather features the genuine grain of the hide.
Glazing:
Also known as top-coating, this process involves the application of protective
transparent resins to the leather. The glazed leather features a high-gloss
or matte finish.
Grain:
A natural pattern of pores and wrinkles that creates texture on a hide.
Hand:
An industry term for the feel of leather. For example, "The hand of this aniline
dyed leather is excellent, very soft."
Kela:
The mechanical process that adds a sauvage-look to hides. This is an additional
step in the finishing stage, in which a relief roller creates a mottled look
and increases the finish's visual character.
Milling:
The process of massaging the hides to ensure softness. After hides have been
tanned and finished, they are tumbled for several hours.
Patina:
The luster or shine that develops on leather surfaces with time and use.
Pigmenting:
coloring and coating the leather surface to cover imperfections and produce
hides that are wear- and fade-resistant.
Premium Select:
The finest leather hides available, exhibiting few imperfections. Only 5 percent
of all hides are premium select quality.
Sauvage:
A mottled appearance, resulting from blending similar colors, that adds depth
and character to a hide's finish. A true sauvage look is created as hides are
tumbled during the dyeing process.
Semi-Aniline leather:
Hides that have been dyed throughout and have a surface finish applied. These
leathers offer both a soft hand and protective benefits.
Splits:
The undersides of leather, generally used for suedes and lower quality leather
furniture.
Tanning:
The chemical and mechanical processes used to treat hides and eliminate perishability.
Top Grain:
The uppermost layer of a hide. This is the highest quality part of a hide, used
for fine upholstery leather. Leather Expressions uses only top-grain leather.
Tumbling:
The mechanical process that softens the texture and enhances the grain of the
hides. Hides are tumbled in a rotating steel drum for several hours.
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