Leather Processing

The chemical process by which animal skins are turned into pliable skin is known as tanning. This takes approximately six weeks to complete and includes up to 120 steps.

Tanning includes curing, preserving, soaking and dehairing the raw skins, cleaning the flesh side (suede side) by soaking in a salt solution, wringing to remove excess moisture, splitting, shaving, dyeing, drying, conditioning, buffing, finishing, measuring and grading the skin.

A variety of finishes are used to enhance the natural beauty of leather. Aniline finish is like staining wood allowing the natural grain to shine through, pigmenting is like painting - completely covering the natural surface. Nubuck is the top or grain side of the leather which has been buffed with a fine sand paper to give it that velvety appearance.

The most common finishes are aniline, pigmented, patent, metallic, oily, waxy, suede and nubuck.

The manufacturers select leather of a quality standard. When leather is cut, special precautions are taken to minimise damage and waste. The leather is then assembled and all the pieces are again inspected for quality.

Leather permits the free flow of air and moisture, making it an ideal material for footwear. Because of the special nature of leather, it is most important that your customers receive product care information when making their purchase.

 

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