Genuine leather vs. faux leather: understanding the source

Unlike fake or synthetic leather, real leather is a natural byproduct sourced from animals raised for the food industry. Because it is organic, it is not manufactured in continuous industrial rolls but retains the natural shape of the animal.

Hide sizes: the advantage of bull hides

Real leather is sold by the whole hide. The size depends entirely on the animal, but choosing bull hides offers distinct advantages for upholstery and design:

• Large surface area: bull hides are expansive, typically measuring around 6 square meters (approx. 65 sq. ft).
• Seamless design: the large size allows for the creation of oversized cushions and extensive paneling without the need for stitching or seams.
• Cost efficiency: larger hides allow upholsterers to optimize the cutting layout, significantly reducing waste compared to smaller animal hides.

Storage and shipping: rolls vs. trestles

Are hides stored in rolls? For high-quality leather, the answer is usually no. The best hides are stored on trestles (specialized trolleys) that maintain the hide's original shape.

• Prevention of damage: keeping hides stretched on trestles prevents deep creases and wrinkles. Folding or rolling leather for extended periods can damage the surface.
• Shipping methods: skins are carefully rolled onto a cardboard tube for small orders, or shipped directly on a rack/trestle for whole batches.

Advisory: upon receiving rolled skins, it is advisable to immediately unroll them and place them on racks or a flat surface to allow the fibers to relax and stretch out.

Ordering leather: understanding quantity tolerances

When you order a quantity of skins, will you receive exactly that amount? Because leather is sold in whole hides, the total size you receive will be approximately close to your request, but rarely exact. The sum of the hides may be slightly smaller or larger than the ordered quantity.

For example, if you order 18 m² of skins, the shipment might consist of:

• One hide measuring 6.20 m²
• One hide measuring 6.20 m²
• One hide measuring 5.80 m²
• Total received: 18.50 m²