Aniline Dyed:
The process of coloring leathers throughout using non-toxic aniline dyes. The dye is transparent and therefore allows all of nature’s signatures to remain visible.

Base Coat:
Color that is applied to a compatible crust color to achieve the final color of protected aniline.

Crocking:
Transferring of color or finish from leather to other materials caused by rubbing or abrasion.

Drum Dyed:
A dyeing process in which leather is immersed in dye and tumbled in a rotating drum allowing maximum dye penetration.

Embossing:
A process of altering the natural grain of the leather by using etching, engraving or electrotyped plates or rollers creating a very uniform grain pattern. Embossing may be done to disguise defects or to create exciting designs.

Finishing:
Any further steps taken after the dyeing treatment such as rolling, pigmented spraying, lacquering, antiquating, waxing, buffing, embossing, glazing, waterproofing, or flame proofing in order to provide more abrasion and stain resistance and/or a more even surface coloration.

Full Grain:
Any leather in which only the hair has been removed while the grain retains its original state. Natural markings are left intact and present the character and appeal of a very unique leather.

Grain:
The natural or embossed pattern and texture of a hide’s surface.

GTX:
A chemical with water-and stain-resistant properties similar to Scotchgard. GTX is added in the drum during the dyeing process.

Hands:
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:
Generic terms for all hides that have been tanned to a non-perishable state.

Liming:
Chemical process of removing the hair from the raw hide

Machine-Antiqued:
The machine application of a darker color over a lighter color creating a dramatic highlight.

Milling:
Process in which hides are tumbled in a drum to soften the hand or enhance the grain

Naked Leather:
“Pure aniline”

Nature’s Signatures:
Increasingly popular naturally occurring characteristics on leather; these include insect bites and stings, fat wrinkles, healed barbed wire cuts and scrapes, and other markings that give each hide its own unique trails.

Nubuk Aniline:
A top grain leather, which has a slight nap effect, produced by removal of the epidermis, or hair cell layer

Patina:
A luster that develops on pure aniline and nubuk over time and with use.

Pigment Finish:
A process of coloring and coating the leather surface with colorants.

Polishing:
Removal of the grain scars and blemishes from a hide

Protected aniline:
Leather, which has been aniline, dyed and then slightly pigmented to ensure color consistency and resistance to liquids

Pull-Up:
Full grain aniline leather that derives its color from dyes. When leather is pulled, the oils or the waxes in the leather cause the color to dissipate and become lighter in the areas, which are pulled tight.

Pure Aniline:
Any leather that receives all its color from aniline dyes only, and has no topical applications. Nature’s signatures are visible and are to be considered a cherished and unique part of each hide

Savage:
A two-tone effect that adds depth and character to the leather

Semi-Aniline:
“protected aniline”

Split:
During the tanning process, a hide is split into layers and the underneath portion is referred to as a split. Compared to the durable top grain, this is an inferior leather. It is often used in the garment industry and is known as suede.

Suede:
The underneath portion of a hide after the splitting process. Compared to the durable top grain, this is inferior leather. It is often used in the garment industry.

Tanning:
The process of converting rawhides 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 may range from a high gloss to a matte depending on the type of leather.

Top Grain:
During the tanning process, a hide is split into layers and the top layer is referred to as the top grain. This is the most durable part of a leather hide due to the strength of the fibers

Yield:
The amount of useable area after all wastes and imperfections have been discarded.