There are many different  leather types available, each with its own unique look and feel. This simple guide will teach you how to identify different  leather types you might come upon.

Let’s get you started!

Aniline

Aniline leather is a leather type dyed exclusively with soluble dyes. As a result the product retains the hide’s natural surface and any visible variations such as visible pores, scars, or other blemishes remain visible.

Semi-Aniline

A light coat finish produces semi-aniline leather. In this case the light surface coating of pigment and finish makes the leather slightly more durable than Aniline leather and provide some stain resistance.

Pull Up

Pull up aniline leather has additional oil or wax applied to the leather to give it a distressed look.

Nubuck

Nubuck is a top-grain leather that’s sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibbers, producing a velvet-like surface.

Suede

Suede leather is made from the underside of the skin, primarily from lamb, although cow, goat, and deer are commonly used.

Pigmented

This leather has a polymer coating on the surface which hides all scars and marks. Consequently it is the most durable of all leathers and the most resistant to stains.

Patent

Patent leather is leather that has been finished with chemicals that give it a shiny, reflective surface..

PU Leather

This is a split leather which has a polyurethane coating bonded to the top surface. This is the least desirable material, type leather to buy if you are into leather-craft.