Consent Form Info >> Consent Forms >> Leather Tips >> Termonology
Aniline Finish: Skins are drum-dyed for a soft, smooth feel. They are usually coated with protein, resin, lacquer, or can be waxed.
Distressed: Buffing surface to create uneven coloration and markings for a weathered look.
Glazed Finish: Surface is polished to a high luster by pressurized glass or steel rollers.
Grain: Refers to the outer surface, markings or the patterns on the leather's surface.
Leather: A generic term used for all kinds of tanned animal hides or skins.
Metallic: Metallic color applied during the tanning process for a lustrous appearance.
Napa: Commonly refers to the surface or top grain of any soft leather hide.
Patent: Heavily finished to give a highly lustrous, baked-enamel type appearance.
Pearlized: Spray-on finish giving pearlized effect.
Shearling: Natural lamb pelts with the leather side often suede and worn on the outside.
Split: When a thick hide is split, the term refers to the top surface that looks like suede but is not as soft.
Suede: Leathers that are finished by buffing the underside of a hide to produce a velvet-like nap.
Unbuckle: Lightly buffed top grain to a very fine nap that appears smoother than suede.
