Aniline
A clear and transparent chemical that permeates the entire hide, revealing the leather’s grain structure. It is a purely aesthetic treatment and does not protect the leather.
Grain
The markings or patterns that make up leather’s natural texture. Grain can be natural, as in wrinkle markings or pores in the hide, or simulated through embossing and finishing processes.
Hand
The softness or the feel of leather.
Hide
The raw or tanned pelt (skin) taken from a large, adult animal. Cattle hide is most common for upholstery applications.
Leather
A hide that has been tanned to preserve it from decay and to improve its suppleness and softness.
Nap
The soft, fuzzy effect achieved in leather by buffing or brushing.
Patina
The lustre that naturally develops in unfinished leather over time.
Pull-up
How the finish of leather that has first been treated with oils, waxes, and dyes, then pulled or stretched (i.e. on upholstery), becomes lighter in stretched areas. This is an indicator of high quality.
Sauvage
A two-tone marbled effect which adds depth to the look of leather.
Tanning
The process used to convert rawhide into a stable material (leather) that will not decay and is suitable for many applications.
Weight
The heaviness or thickness of leather. It is typically given in ounces per square foot or in millimetres.