For fashion purposes, there are now more types of leather available than ever before. There are many different types of leather available today, which can actually be a bit overwhelming for a person. To transform the animal skin into an item that is wearable, long-lasting, and smooth, various processes must be performed after it has been acquired. Each step is crucial because a slight change in the method or tools can totally change the texture and finishing of your leather. You would be like someone diving into a pool without knowing how to swim if you went to the market without knowing what types of leather there are and its various qualities. Leather's texture is essential for identifying its authenticity and uniqueness. In addition to the texture, the porous nature of leather also determines how breathable it is. The quality of full-grain leather is supreme, and semi-aniline leather is water-resistant. However, if the leather is sourced from bonded or split-grain skin, the water resistance would be low in comparison. Getting the right leather type, hides, and tanning process for your needs should not be confusing for you. Let us help you clear things up for you when it comes to the world of leather!

Smooth Leather Texture

A buffed-up leather is the type with a smooth texture. This type of sheen is usually found on fruits, vegetables, oils, or patent leather. When it comes to smooth textured leather, one of the main problems is that it shows tears and scratches over time. This is fine for some as they like imperfections, but others like to fix it.

Flat Grain & Grainy

The feel of this smooth, flat grain texture is quite pleasant. It is also slightly grainy in terms of its visibility and appearance. When compared to simple, smooth textured leather, this one would be more durable. As far as the grainy leather is concerned, you can feel it on your hands. There is a noticeable grainy texture in both the smell and the appearance.

Pebble

There are many features that make pebbled leather so popular. A variety of questions are frequently asked about pebbled leather, such as what it is and how it compares to smooth leather. Depending on the size of the pores, pebbled leather texture comes in several forms.

It has a distinct personality that often attracts people from all age brackets and walks of life. The grain is tight and visible to the eye, even if you're not an expert on leather. You can feel the bold pebbled look when you rub your hand over it. However, the one with tiny pebbles is more natural and has less obviousness upon touch.

Embossed

Leather becomes embossed when heat or pressure is applied to it to draw a particular pattern or a design. This technique is one of the oldest methods used to create patterns on the product. Cowhide is also embossed when it is faked to look like exotic leather like alligator and crocodile. The possibilities are endless when it comes to leather fashion.

Suede & Nubuck

The underside of the hide becomes accessible when the top grain leather is separated into two pieces. Suede is the term used to describe this part of the grade. The surface of suede leather is soft and fuzzy on both sides and can feel like velvet in many cases. If you're new to this, you may often get confused between the two.

The texture of nubuck and suede is similar, so the two are often compared. The grain of nubuck, however, is more visible to the naked eye. An intense sanding process is performed to achieve a supple, soft feel. The similarity between Nubuck and Suede is that they are both extracted from top-grain.

Pigmented

It is dyed all the way through the hide for a more uniform and perfect finish. However, the surface is then coated with a heavy protective topcoat which includes pigmentation. It not only enhances the appearance of your leather products but protects them from heat, dust, and water damage. A buffing or sanding process is used to remove any blemishes or imperfections, and an artificial grain is then embossed on top. In order to make pigmented leather more durable, it is treated with spray coatings at the expense of a deep rich colour and a luxurious feel. Pigmented leathers, therefore, are the least natural grain leather yet the most durable ounces.

Buffered & Latigo

There is no grain evident in the outer shell of the buffered leather, which has a smooth and silky surface.

Latigo leather, however, stands out on the list as the most interesting leather texture. Both chrome tanning and vegetable tanning have been applied to the cowhide leather to come up with this type. In addition to being one of the softest leathers, it is also one of the most durable ones. Water and dust can't penetrate it due to its refined, but numerous pores. You'll love the refinement and dashing appearance of the texture.

Patent

Often, patent leather is considered the best type of leather if you're looking for a high-shine and water-resistant coating. A wide range of leather goods can be enhanced with this elegant touch.

A layer of oil is applied to dyed leather, followed by drying to create this texture. It dates back to the late 1700s but is equally popular today among fashion designers and leather enthusiasts. However, the only change made in the techniques is that the oils have been replaced with synthetic materials. The resulting high-gloss leather surface is commonly used in shoes, wallets, bags, & accessories.

Matte & Shiny

By applying dull colour layers, applying coarse grain, or applying matt finishes or film coatings, a matt surface is achieved. Traditionally, the Germans prefer dull leather, especially for furniture and vehicle interior leather. The benefit of this leather is that the surface looks natural and less "plastic like". However, Matt leather, due to the rough surface, tends to stain and wear faster than shiny leather. On the other hand, through a combination of cleaning, use of care products and general wear and tear, the leather surface is polished over time and thus becomes shinier. Americans and British prefer shiny leather textures over the matt ones.

Glossy Leather

Glossy leather is usually the same as patent leather. Patent leather is glossy and has a lustrous finish that makes it instantly recognizable. Virtually waterproof, it is renowned for being flexible, soft and requiring virtually no maintenance. Coatings applied to the leather to bring a certain degree of gloss make it soft to the touch. The coating was initially oil-based back in the 1700s but is now commonly synthetic.

Antique/distressed

Distressed Leather is aniline dyed leather. What's special about this leather is that if you don’t like the overly uniform look of your leather jacket, distressed comes with an artificially worn and aged appearance. This will give you the natural characteristics of the hide such as healed scars, scratches, and wrinkles are considered a positive characteristic.