Cow hides meaning full#

Full grain is the highest quality and most valued leather.

Only 10-15% of all hides can be finished as full grain upholstery leather with the most becoming corrected grain. Natural markings are visible but are not excessive or unsightly when finished.

See Upholstery Leather.įull grain leather: Leather in which the grain or surface of the hide has not been altered in any way except for the removal of hair. applied to leather after it has been tanned.

See our Natural Markings chart.įinish: Generally defines a surface application on the leather to color, protect or mask imperfections.įinishing: Refers to all processes such as embossing, coloring, top coating, etc. These markings are not present in corrected grain leather and are often prized by leather enthusiasts.

Cow hides meaning skin#

Embossing is typically applied to corrected grain leather.įat wrinkles: A unique natural marking commonly found in the neck and belly of the cow resulting from the loose skin cows must have for grazing and growth. Pebble grain may be the most common example but can include countless faux animal prints, designs, and natural grains meant to mimic the original grain of the hide. Leather with a pull-up finish is often considered to be “distressed.” See Pull-up Leather.ĭrum dyeing: A process in which leather hides are immersed in dye and tumbled in a rotating drum, allowing full penetration of the dyes through leather pores and fibers.Įmbossed leather: A process where the cow hide is stamped or rolled under great pressure to create a new grain on the surface of the hide. The majority of upholstery leather is corrected grain.Ĭowhide or cow hide: Leather from various species of cow and oxen.Ĭrust: A leather hide that has been tanned with no additional finishing - it can remain this way indefinitely.ĭistressed Leather: A broad term that is used to describe leather that is usually multi toned and has the appearance of being aged or antiqued with a nice warm patina. Once the surface is uniform, it is embossed typically into a natural or pebble grain pattern and pigmented (colored). Chrome tanned hides are finished mainly into upholstery leather.Ĭorrected grain leather: Leather that has been “corrected” through buffing away natural markings and major blemishes on the leather’s surface. This process is used to create corrected grain leather.Ĭhrome tanned leather: Leather tanned with chromium salts resulting in soft hides that are preserved indefinitely. See our Natural Markings chart.īuffed leather: Leather from which the surface grain is removed through sanding to make the surface more uniform in preparation to be embossed. Brand markings are highly valued especially for rustic and western style upholstery items and are easily visible on full grain and even some corrected grain leather. Also referred to as 'struck through leather.'īrand: A permanent mark made by a hot iron on the skin of a cow to identify ownership.

Aniline dye: A transparent dye made from coal tar used to color to leather hides.Īniline leather: Leather that has be put in a large drum and soaked with aniline dyes until they are completely absorbed through the hide.