Split Leathers.
Coated Split Leather
Surface colour layer is usually roller-coated onto bottom split leather. Darker shades can be applied and then wiped off to create two-tone finishing, mimicking patina.
Picture: Colour layer typically peel in 5-6 years. Reverse side shows the underneath is split leather.
Embossed Split Leather
As the name implies, this is coated split with impressed grain to mimic the appearance of top grain leather.
Picture: The underneath bottom split layer is revealed once surface colour coat is rubbed off.
Picture Credit: Colourlock® International.
Like all processed Split leathers, Coated Split and Embossed Split leathers shouldn’t be classified as Genuine Leather as they do not contain tanned animal skin. However, they offer a softer and warmer feel compared to PU, Laminated and Artificial leathers. When made with thick drop split, these leathers can last for years, but when made with thin bottom split, they would be prone to tearing.
Available in uniform and large pieces, Coated and Embossed Split leathers enables more affordable and elegant designs, as well as ease of maintenance. They are used in automotive, furniture and fashion; there is an increasing use of these leathers in high-end cars, especially on low contact areas such as door linings and headrests.
Both Coat Split and Embossed Split leathers bear closely resemble to top grain leather, with Embossed Split and Corrected Grain being particularly difficult to differentiate.
PU Leather.
PU Leather is a split leather coated with a polyurethane coating to mimic like a top grain leather.
Picture: Typically, PU Coat peels from split leather in 4-5 years from date of manufacture.
Picture Credit: Colourlock® International.
PU Leather is typically designed to resemble top grain leather, often featuring a glossy and antique look. Its name is sometimes confused with Pull Up Leather, which is an oiled or waxed top grain. Other names for PU Leather include Bycast© Leather and Bicast Leather.
PU Leather lacks breathability, feels colder than Coated Split and Embossed Split leathers, and tends to stick to the skin. It is not durable and lacks stability, but is inexpensive. In countries such as Denmark or New Zealand, PU Leather is prohibited from being labelled as Genuine Leather.
PU Leather is well-suited for high-traffic use and environments where frequent disinfection is required. It is commonly employed in the manufacturing of furniture and shoes.
Laminated Leather.
Laminated leather refers to a bottom split leather coated with a plastic film that mimics the appearance of top grain leather.
Picture: Plastic film detached from bottom split.
Picture Credit: Colourlock® International.
Compared to Coated and Embossed Split leathers, Laminated Leather tends to feel colder and stiffer. Similar to PU Leather, Laminated Leather lacks breathability, causing the skins to feel hot and perspire after prolonged use. However, its ease of cleaning and cost-effective replacement qualities renders it suitable for high-traffic areas and situations requiring frequent disinfecting.
The terms “Laminated” and “Coated Split” are often used interchangeably, but their description as “Genuine Leather” should be prohibited. Rodeo, Tasan, and Pilot leathers are other examples of Split Leathers coated with textile fabric.
Conclusion
Processed Split leathers offer several advantages, notably cost-effectiveness and ease of cleaning. Though they lack durability, their affordability makes them easy to replace. Despite being stiffer and colder compared to top grain leathers, they excel in high-traffic environments.
Their capacity to imitate the look of top grain leathers presents a challenge even for aficionado. This blurring of boundaries between top grain and split leather emphasises the necessity for careful differentiation and accurate labelling.
In the upcoming chapter, we will talk about artificial leathers. Familiarising ourselves with these materials will be instrumental in identifying different finishes and choosing suitable care and maintenance techniques.
Picture Credit: Colourlock® International.
DID YOU KNOW…
Epi Leather is primarily used in Louis Vuitton products. It is a pigmented, smooth leather characterised by an embossing that resembles boarded grain. The pigmentation makes the leather weather-resistant.