Leather Terms
All the key leather terms you need to know as a purchasing manager or professional leather goods expert.
Leather Types & Materials
Full-Grain Leather
The highest quality leather, retaining the natural grain with minimal processing.
Top-Grain Leather
Sanded to remove imperfections, slightly thinner than full-grain.
Genuine Leather
A lower-grade leather made from leftover layers.
Bonded Leather
Reconstituted from leather scraps with adhesives.
Vegan Leather
Synthetic or plant-based alternatives (PU, Piñatex, Mushroom Leather).
Exotic Leather
Rare skins like ostrich, crocodile, or stingray.
Piñatex Leather
Leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibers. It is one type of vegan leather and it’s breathable, flexible, partially biodegradable.
Mushroom Leather
Mushroom leather is with its attractive patterns created by Nature, is a naturally recycled vegan eco-leather made from mushroom mycelia that decomposes organic matter.
AppleSkin
Made from apple pomace (fruit waste). It’s usually used for making wallet and phone cases. It is one type of vegan leather.
Cactus Leather
Derived from prickly pear cactus.It has the advantage of Low water footprint. It is one type of vegan leather.
Manufacturing Terms
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
Producing goods based on a buyer’s exact specifications.
ODM (Original Design Manufacturer)
Offering pre-designed products that can be branded.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest order a factory accepts (e.g., 100pcs).
QC (Quality Control)
Inspections at production stages to ensure consistency.
Lead Time
Total time from order confirmation to delivery.
Lasting
Shaping leather over a mold (common in bags/wallets).
Chrome-Free Tanning (for vegan leathers)
Uses plant tannins or synthetic agents instead of chromium.
Lamination
Bonding vegan leather to fabric backing (affects durability).
CO₂ Footprint
Measures emissions during production (lower than animal leather).
Leather Finishes & Techniques
Embossing
Pressing patterns/logo into leather for texture.
Debossing
Sunken designs created with heat/pressure.
Edge Painting
Coating leather edges for a polished look.
Saddle Stitch
Hand-stitching with two needles for superior durability.
Skiving
Thinning leather for flexibility in seams.
Purchasing & Compliance
FOB (Free On Board)
Buyer pays shipping costs after goods leave the factory.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Supplier handles all shipping/customs fees.
REACH Compliance
EU regulation restricting harmful chemicals in leather.
LFGB Certification
German food-safe standard for leather goods.
CITES
Permit required for exporting exotic leathers.
Defects & Quality Terms
Grain Tightness
Denser grain = higher quality (e.g., calfskin).
Bloom
White residue from natural oils (wipes off easily).
Loose Grain
Separation between layers, indicating poor quality.
Hardware & Components
YKK Zipper
Industry-standard zippers known for reliability.
Solid Brass Hardware
Rust-resistant and premium-looking.
Magnetic Snap
Closure system for bags/wallets.
Packaging
Dust Bag
Fabric pouch included for storage.
Hangtag
Branded product information tag.