What is textured leather? 8 amazing types of textures.

The texture of leather is the characteristic of its surface the way it feels by touching and looking at it.

A widely known natural leather grain texture is the texture of full-grain leather.

Textures can also be used to create an artificial surface finish that resembles the surface of some other type of leather, for instance, sheep leather can be printed with a crocodile texture. However, real crocodile leather can be really expensive and can also be restricted by law in some countries.

Further in this article, we will be discussing the types of textured leather. So without wasting much time let’s get to the chase

Types of textured leather

Saffiano leather

Saffiano leather is the term used for leather which was originally invented by the renowned fashion house Prada. It is recognized by its cross-hatch design print that was created by stamping the high-quality wax-coated calf skin with print engraved plates under high pressure.

But now things seem to have changed a bit as a wide variety of leather that is cross-hatched printed is called Saffiano leather. And this leather is made in many ways in different countries.

Saffiano leather is scratch as well as water-resistant due to its wax coating.

It is widely used in making fashion accessories and fancy handbags.

Smooth textured leather

smooth leather textutre textured leather real leather
Smooth textured leather

As the name suggests, it is a plain leather with a smooth surface, and no visible grains. Feels smooth with touching. Oil plug, top grain, pigmented leather, patent leather, corrected grain, etc. are some of the good examples of smooth leather.

The surface of the hide is sanded and buffed to get a smooth finish, dyed, and polished surface. It can also be made in matte-finish leather.

This type of leather can repel dust and due to its smooth surface water won’t stick much, it can be very durable but it is also prone to scratches.

Smooth leather is used widely in the fashion industry for garments and accessories. It is also used in upholstery.

Flat grain textured leather

flat grain leather textured leather
Flat grain leather leather

Sometimes uneven grains of this type of leather are visible to the eyes but feel plain on touch, yes it indeed feels quite smooth on touch.

Rawhide is treated with chemicals in the tannery to open it’s collagen structure and fizzle out it’s strands, that’s how flat textured leather is produced.

Flat-texture leather is very durable as well as scratch-resistant.

This type of leather is widely used in making high-quality leather seats and upholstery.

Grainy textured leather

grainy leather textured leather bison leather
Grainy leather texture

This type of leather is very special and has visible and tactile grains that have a coarse feel upon touching.

Generally, full-grain hides come in this category. The grain pattern is usually uneven in this kind of leather.

It is the toughest and most durable of all leather types. The top skin of animals like bison, cows, etc. is employed to make this type of leather.

It can be used in various kinds of fashion accessories and handbags.

Pebbled and Embossed textured leather

We have placed both pebble grain and embossed leather in the same category as pebbled grain leather is a kind of embossed leather. It has an artificial three-dimensional pattern on the surface. Pebbled grain is one such example of which design that resembles the pebbled beach surface.

After dying it is prepared by putting the leather under high heat and pressure in a machinery which has huge plates, the plates are engraved with design (pebble or any other design), when these plates are pressed against the surface of the leather they leave a 3D design on leather which is permanent.

Any desired design can be embossed on leather. Suede textured leather fabric can also be embossed.

It is widely used in the fashion industry as well as in making furniture and leather luggage. It is also used in making embossed leather belts.

Nubuck and suede leather texture

Nubuck and suede leather often seem similar when it comes to look and feel, but they are very different from each other.

Nubuck leather is a top-grain leather that is sanded and buffed on the grained side. Nubuck resembles fine suede but it is much more durable and stronger than suede due to its fine grain.

On the other hand, suede is an underside of the skin that feels like velvet as it contains comparatively loose fibers.

Suede is obtained by splitting thick animal hides by a splitting machine.

sometimes suede is covered with plastic coating to make genuine leather.

Nubuck is used to make shoes and luxury car interiors, whereas suede is often used to make garments and accessories.

Shiny finished leather texture

Shiny finish leather is highly treated leather with a glaring and glossy surface that looks like glass.

It is prepared by putting an enamel coating on the leather. Patent leather is an example of shiny leather.

It is resistant to water and dust. Just a wipe with a clean cloth is all it needs to get its original luster back.

it is widely used in making luxury party wear shoes and handbags. It is also used in fancy garments.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on textured leather.

Also, read our other amazing articles on leather: https://leatherblues.com/blog/

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Different types of heels: Modern women’s amazing footwear guide.

Frequently Asked Questions


Are suede and nubuck leather the same?

No, suede and nubuck leather are not same.


Is textured leather real leather?

Yes, texture of leather can be natural as well as artificial texture made on real leather.


Can we get suede embossed?

Yes, just like any other leather suede can also be embossed in desired print.


Is patent leather real leather?

Yes, patent leather is real leather coated with shiny substances like enamel.

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