The macro-categories: dyeing and dermis

One of the characteristics of bovine leather is that it can be processed in many ways to obtain completely different effects. The leather is one, but the aspects are infinite, like our imagination. Depending on the processing, even if coming from the same animals, leathers can take on different looks and feels. le pelli possono assumere look e tatti diversi.

The first two macro-categories concern dyeing and dermis. Dyes can be aniline (more delicate and noble) or pigmented (more “covering”). The dermis can be the completely natural one of the animal (full-grain leather) or it can be, more or less heavily, sanded (sanded leather).

Nubuck leather: softness and velvety touch

One of the noblest processes is that which leads the leather to have the nubuck effect typical of nubuck leather. It involves a slight sanding with very light abrasive paper to give the leather a soft effect. Naturally, to obtain a nubuck leather that resists light and traction, various processes are necessary, ranging from coloring in a drum using high-quality dyes to treatment with natural water repellents and still others to obtain a soft, velvety and resistant leather.

Aniline leather: maximum naturalness

Aniline leather is a leather that is simply dyed with aniline, thus maintaining the leather at its maximum naturalness.

Aged effect leather (and Pull-Up)

There are different processes that give an aged leather effect. One process consists of hand scratching/sanding so that some areas of the leather appear more worn and some less worn. Another process is to add waxes and oils, so that the leather can have the so-called pull-up effect (lightening) when pulled, giving an uneven coloring.

Sanded leather

Sanded leather is that from which the first part of the dermis is removed. This process is done to remove some defects such as large scars or important imperfections of the leather. Sometimes it is also possible to stucco the leather with special elastic putties to cover the scars. It is then possible to emboss the leather with a grain that mimics the animal's dermis. In this case the leather will be uniform.

Full-grain leather: Unique, natural and resistant

It is one of the softest, most natural and most suitable leathers for furniture; each leather, like a fingerprint, is unique. The animal's pores can be seen precisely because nothing has been removed. It is also a very resistant leather as the outermost part of the dermis is that which naturally remains more elastic and resistant to protect the animal.

Embossed leather: creating raised designs and textures

The leather can be impressed with hot plates or rollers to have the bas-relief embossing. In this way the leather takes on a completely different appearance. Embossments can feature geometric designs, imitations of animal dermis, fantasy motifs, logos or any other personalized design. Usually the plates have a dimension that does not exceed 130 cm per side. Impressions with the roller can cover the entire size of the leather, but usually use quite basic and less complicated ones compared to the plates.

Beware of "regenerated leather"

The definition of "regenerated leather" is incorrect as it is misleading for the consumer, who believes they are buying leather, albeit "regenerated", when in fact it is a completely synthetic material. It consists of an artificial mixture made up of a few fibers of leather residues, mechanically or chemically pulverized, amalgamated by means of latex and transformed into sheets. Regenerated leather has the advantage of being cheaper than real leather... because it's plastic! Maxpell does not sell this product.