Behind long years use Genuine Leather won the trust of consumers. IN modern light industry, to reduce the final cost of the product and increase its availability to consumers, various leather substitutes are often used. Among other materials, you can often find pressed leather, which, according to many sellers, is almost in no way inferior to natural leather. Is this so, and should you give preference to saving when choosing shoes, clothes and accessories?
What is pressed leather
For clarity, this type of material can be compared with sausage products. A homogeneous fabric is formed from various substandard and very small residues, waste from the production of goods from whole natural leather, and often the same pressed under very high pressure.
The connection of the components occurs through the use of synthetic binder fibers (polyester, polyethylene, polyamide, etc.). When exposed to high temperatures, they melt, which ensures the adhesion of small natural particles.
Synthetic thermoplastic resins are also used in production. Their function is to ensure more reliable gluing of the components and make the structure of the canvas more uniform, and the material itself stronger.
However, these same qualities significantly reduce the moisture and breathability of pressed leather. And if lower moisture conductivity is preferable in some cases, then the lack of ability to “breathe” can definitely be attributed to the disadvantages of the material when sewing clothes and shoes. In addition, the strength of products made from a material formed from many small components is low and is significantly inferior to its natural counterpart.
Disadvantages of pressed fabric products
Pressed leather will do for the manufacture of not all goods. And this is if we do not take into account the increased “harmfulness” of its production - the use of chemical resins, synthetic components of the fabric and high temperatures negative for everyone involved in the manufacturing process. Add to this the frequent non-compliance with production safety rules and the lack of necessary environmental protection measures.
Bags, belts and other accessories, interior items made from pressed leather will be less durable, soft and elastic than natural ones, but given the difference in cost, you can live with this, and the low price can even be called a significant advantage.
As for clothing, and especially shoes, low breathability and moisture-conducting ability can lead to excessive sweating, increased fatigue, and diseases of the lower extremities and kidneys. In addition, such shoes, when actively worn, quickly lose their original shape and may crack or burst at the bends.
How to distinguish pressed leather from genuine leather
One of the most simple ways- read the product description:
- on English language genuine leather will be called genuine leather,
- in Italian - vera pelle,
- French manufacturers will write cuir,
- The Germans call it echtleder.
It is also useful to consider Special symbols, indicating what material the product is made from. Materials of artificial origin are marked with a classic rhombus, while natural ones are marked with a figured one, roughly reminiscent of stretched skin.
However, often such a label is missing, or there is a chance of encountering an unscrupulous manufacturer providing incorrect information.
You should immediately exclude such long-known recognition methods as smell and the possibility of combustion from being 100% reliable. After all modern technologies make it possible to impregnate artificial analogues with a natural leather flavor; in addition, many types of synthesized fabric no longer melt, but are charred, like natural materials. And not every seller will allow the buyer to check the quality of the goods offered with the help of fire.
Inspection check
The source of the main part of external information for the vast majority of people is vision. Upon examination, the difference between pressed leather and natural leather can be identified in the following ways:
- Bend the product - if it is shoes, it is better in the toe area. Or press the skin quite firmly with your fingers - if it is natural, then the small folds and wrinkles that appear during this process should disappear without a trace as soon as the product straightens.
- Also, when changing the shape of the material, you should pay attention to its color in this place - it changes with natural leather. True, this method of checking is not suitable for one of the most popular colors - black.
- Seam finishing. Manufacturers of products made from natural materials not only do not try to hide what the product is made of, but on the contrary, they strongly emphasize this advantage. Therefore, the seam sections of genuine leather products, unlike pressed ones, are usually left open - not processed or folded.
- The reverse side of genuine leather will be fleecy and suede-like. Leatherette is often smooth, in most cases it has a textile base. However, it can simply be glued onto suede or its imitation.
- The pores on the front surface of natural leather, unlike pressed leather, will be located in the same direction, look similar and organic, but not identical, without repeating the pattern multiple times. In order to avoid groundless suspicions of deception, one should not forget that natural leather is not uniform in its natural color. Therefore, in some cases it may contain areas of different tones and shades. When identifying the origin of a material, you should pay attention to its structure.
Moisture test
Not every seller will allow you to wet a product you haven’t purchased, but you should still have a similar method of figuring out how to distinguish pressed leather from natural leather.
If moisture gets on natural leather that has not been treated with special water-repellent compounds, the material will absorb drops and in most cases darken (depending on the color of the product). The pressed analogue will do neither one nor the other.
Tactile sensations
One of the main distinguishing features of genuine leather is its ability to absorb heat. If you hold it in your hands for a while, it will heat up from the temperature of the human body.
There is also the concept of “fullness” of the material - softness and elasticity; the difference in response to pressure and touch will be noticeable and very obvious.
Smell
As mentioned earlier, this method is not indisputable, especially if you focus on natural aroma. However, the synthesized fabric often has a pronounced chemical odor, pungent and unpleasant. Based on this characteristic, it is not difficult to distinguish pressed leather from natural leather. No matter how long the products that initially have such a smell are aired, a slight trace of it will still remain, and it can be noticed by bringing the product directly to the nose.
Outerwear made from compressed material
The advantages of shoes made of genuine leather are obvious, but what can be said about outerwear?
Raincoats, skirts, trousers and jackets made of pressed leather often look very attractive and dignified. The decision to purchase and use them is best made based on factors such as the amount of money available to purchase the product; how the purchased item will be used in the future; characteristics of a particular human body.
If leather clothing is intended for active, constant wear and there is a desire to use the item for a long time, then if finances are limited, it may make sense to save up for a product made of genuine leather. You can take a closer look at the assortment from natural material not of the highest class - a little more coarsely prepared or from less expensive raw materials (the skins of different animals can have a huge difference in cost).
However, if the item is trendy, designed for one season, or this outfit is rarely in demand in the wardrobe, perhaps it is needed exclusively for beautiful photo- pressed leather will allow you to achieve your goal at an affordable price, without having any negative impact on the body.
There are only two types of genuine leather and they all differ from each other. In this article you will learn about what types of genuine leather there are.
Genuine leather may vary:
1. By type of animal:
Pigskin is the cheapest. Used to make the most budget-friendly shoes and linings. Cheap leather jackets are also made from it.
Oxhide is thick, tough and lasts much longer than pork skin. Belts, some bags, backpacks and jackets are made from it.
- Cow leather is quite tough, the strength is slightly lower than that of calf leather. Most inexpensive and mid-price shoes are made from it.
Calfskin is soft and highly durable, with virtually no creases. Shoes, bags, jackets are made from it.
- Sheep leather is soft and durable. It is used to make bags, jackets, gloves, belts - mostly premium ones.
- Goatskin is soft and dense. Used to produce expensive gloves, wallets, purses and accessories.
- Deerskin is soft and pleasant to the touch, retains its shape well and retains heat. Products made from it are rarely found on sale.
- Crocodile leather is durable. Shoes, bags, jackets are made from it.
- Snake skin has an original appearance. Shoes, bags, jackets are made from it.
- Ostrich leather is soft and elastic, it is used to make shoes, jackets, raincoats and luxury accessories.
2. According to processing and painting methods
Aniline coating is a finish that adds shine to leather and slightly evens out the surface. Unlike varnish, this coating has an unexpressed shine and is more transparent.
Tanning is a chemical process that turns animal hides and skins into tanned leather. The process uses acids, alkalis, salts, enzymes and tannins to dissolve fats and non-fibrous proteins. Vegetable tanning is based on the chemical action of plant materials containing tannin (tannic acid). The skins are soaked in cauldrons in a strong solution of these substances. Chemical tanning uses mineral salts such as chromium sulfate. Tanning can also be done using fish oil and synthetic types of tannin.
Suede
Suede has always been highly valued among knowledgeable people. This material is not for the lazy. Because it requires special care. First you need to define the terms and understand how to choose the right thing made of natural suede. Or rather, how not to buy fake faux suede.
And what is suede anyway? Suede is leather obtained from the hides of deer or sheep by fat tanning.
Natural suede is breathable and looks very elegant and sophisticated. Natural suede perfectly allows water to pass through, but as it swells it becomes waterproof. Today many famous designers they make elegant bags from suede.
When choosing a suede item, you need to remember that:
- Natural suede should always have small scratches and pores;
- By running your finger over natural suede, you will leave a trace of a different shade. The color of natural suede generally by its nature cannot be monochromatic;
- Fine natural suede cannot be cheap;
- Natural suede should subtly smell like leather. Faux suede either has no odor at all or has a faint synthetic odor.
Nappa
Nappa is treated cattle leather, which is distinguished by its high ductility, softness and very even coloring. Durable, but not very expensive. For example, leather jackets are made from it.
Velours
Velor is chrome-tanned leather, finished on the bakhtarma side to look like velvet using special grinding.
Suede
Suede - leather made from the skins of any not very large animals; the front side is melon; the pile is thick, but not fluffy and without shine; the skin is soft and does not absorb water well.
Shagreen
Shagreen - soft skin vegetable tanned made from the skins of sheep or goats, with a beautiful small relief pattern.
Laika
Laika - leather made from the skins of sheep, goats, dogs; tanning with aluminum alum using salt, flour and yolk; the leather is very soft, thin, flexible, and is used to make gloves.
Nubuck
Nubuck is a fine-haired leather of cattle (cow or calf), similar to suede, velvety to the touch.
patent leather
Patent leather - smooth skin, covered on top special varnish. Products made from it can only be worn at temperatures from −10 to +25 degrees and only in dry weather.
Faux leather
Artificial leather is a polymer material used instead of natural leather for the manufacture of shoes, clothing, haberdashery and technical products. It is made by applying a polyurethane film coating to a fabric base. Modern artificial leathers are complex multicomponent composite polymer materials with diverse purposes and compositions. Depending on which polymer is used, the corresponding prefix is used in the name: elasto (elastomers (rubbers) are used), vinyl (polyvinyl chloride), amido (polyamides), nitro (nitrocellulose), urethane (polyurethanes).
Boiled leather
Boiled leather is vegetable tanned leather that has been immersed in hot water, boiling wax, or similar substances to increase its strength. Historically, such leather was used as armor and armor, due to its hardness and light weight, and also as a raw material for book bindings.
Vegan
Vegan - vegetable tanned, cattle or pork leather with a thickness of 1 to 3 mm. Designed specifically for the manufacture of carved elements that are widespread in subcultures, among bikers, as well as in the manufacture of traditional elements of costume and everyday life of residents of the Western United States (belts, saddles, holsters, scabbards, etc.).
Parchment
Parchment is a leather that gets its name from the name of the Greek city of Pergamum. This is rawhide, made from the skins of lambs, kids, and calves. It is used to make musical instruments, such as drums, some machine parts, book bindings, and women's jewelry. In the old days it served as the main material for writing.
Morocco
Saffiano is a thin, soft leather of special tanning (vegetable tanning), bags and cases from which are resistant to scratches and stains and are easy to clean.
Spilyuk (split velor)
Split leather (split leather velor) is a layer of leather obtained as a result of lamination (sanding). Used for making shoes, clothing, furniture. Small split grains and split grains (thin edges cut off) are used to prepare technical gelatin, glue and other collagen dissolution products.
Cheprak
Cheprak is a thick, dense leather produced by fat tanning from cattle hides taken from the back of the animal. It is the thickest type of genuine leather. It is used in the manufacture of saddles and all parts of harness, belts, trunks (musical, travel and sports), jewelry and accessories.
Shagreen
Shagreen is leather with a decorative pimpled surface. There is soft, vegetable or alum tanned, and hard, which is raw leather. Usually made from goat meat, sheep skins. A type of shagreen - galyusha - is made from raw skins of shark or stingray, which have a natural roughness.
Chevrette
Chevret - durable and elastic skin, made from sheep skins through chrome tanning. Used in the textile industry, used in the production of outerwear, footwear and various haberdashery products.
Shero
Chevro - soft, dense, durable leather, made by chrome tanning from goat skins, and later lamb, sheep and calf skins, used for shoes. Used for sewing haberdashery, bags, purses or dress shoes. Chevro is produced in Spain and Italy.
Floater
Floater is soft leather, but quite dense. It is ideal for making classic cases, purses, purses, bags, briefcases, business card holders and similar products.
Cheprak
Cheprak - leather raw material, the densest part of the skin; used for the production of belts.
Yuft
Yuft is a thick leather produced by fat tanning from cattle hides taken from the belly of the animal. The leather is very durable and they even say that if leather jacket from the yuft leather accidentally catches on the head of a nail, then more likely that the nail will fly out of its fastening, which will tear the jacket. Most often, it is used in the shoe industry, mainly for paramilitary units and security structures. The upper of the shoe receives an almost indefinite guarantee of wear resistance.
Madras
Softy
SOFTI is a classic leather, universal in its application. An excellent choice for both shoes and leather goods, since leather has all the necessary characteristics both in quality and strength.
We have listed for you almost all types of genuine leather, we hope you found it interesting!
In our online store, as well as men's, are made only from the most best views skin. Hurry up to choose the option that suits you only!
This unusual name - pressed leather - is becoming more and more common. Is it worth purchasing products from it, what is good and what is bad about it, and what is sewn from it? Today we will discuss its advantages, qualities and disadvantages.
You may also be interested in the article.
Pressed leather and its properties
Most frequently asked question in relation to this material - is it genuine leather or artificial leather. And you can’t answer it that easily; it would be more correct to say: both at the same time.
What does it mean? The production technology is such that it is made from natural leather waste, with additional introduction artificial components.
How it is made: scraps of natural raw materials, which include tanning dust, shreds, scraps and shavings, are combined with a binding component (polyamide, polyester, polyethylene), to which another substance is added, which is used to strengthen the structure and additionally glue the entire mass. These are usually thermoplastic synthetic resins.
Then the mass is heated, melted and all components are joined together under high pressure. The result is a leather-like sheet.
Essentially it is artificial leather, but often sellers pass it off as 100% natural, taking advantage of the inexperience of consumers. This is wrong!
Features of pressed leather:
- Low moisture permeability.
- The material is weakly breathable.
- Does not tolerate frost well.
- Not too wearable.
You will find out what this material looks like by looking at the photo below.
Whether it is worth taking products from this material is a difficult question. It is cheap, but not durable - genuine leather will last longer. But care is easy - the same as. It is believed that this type of leather is not environmentally friendly, unlike other leather substitutes, and is harmful to health in comparison with them.
How long does such a product last? It’s hard to say, it depends on the conditions and intensity of wear, but in general, other things being equal, pressed leather is fragile and not very wearable. This is definitely a bad choice for shoes!
How to distinguish pressed leather?
At first glance it seems difficult to distinguish it from the natural one. They say that even the smell is approximately the same - “leather”, however, an admixture of chemicals will be felt. The main difference is in the external texture.
Since all parts are melted, its appearance would be absolutely smooth, but embossing is applied to its surface, a pattern reminiscent of natural leather. However, if you look closely, the difference will become obvious: natural leather has a fuzzy pattern, it is uneven, the pores are located differently and different shapes, there are dents and minor defects.
Also try placing your palm on the product and holding it for a while. The natural leather will remain dry, but will heat up, and the pressed palm will become moist. There is also no leather tag on the products.
Jackets and other pressed leather products
Most often, this material is used for bags; it can also be backpacks, wallets, purses, and so on. It is often used to make shoe soles, sneakers, and it is not uncommon to make a belt, key holder or other similar accessory. Clothes are made into jackets, raincoats, trench coats, and so on.
If you purchase something that is subject to heavy loads, such as shoes or furniture, then do not expect the product to last long. Natural material will survive him anyway.
A characteristic feature of this material is that over time it cracks in places of intense stress, for example, these could be the handles of a bag or holes in a belt.
Now, in addition to women's and men's, you can find bags made artificial leather, as well as materials with names that are not entirely clear.
Pressed leather.
You can often find bags and other types of pressed leather products. This material is positioned as natural, but subject to pressing, and, according to many sellers, has all the properties inherent in natural leather.
In reality, pressed leather is made from chrome shavings, scraps left over from cutting, and other waste materials from natural materials. After which all the remains are glued together using special resins. The resulting material becomes fibrous and appears homogeneous. Various chemical compounds are added to its composition, such as polyamide, polyethylene, polyester, etc.
It turns out that pressed leather is half natural, half synthetic material, which has low strength and low air permeability. The quality is significantly inferior to genuine leather. The production of pressed leather produces gases that are considered hazardous to human health.
Eco-leather - what is it?
Recently, women's and men's bags made from eco-leather have become very popular.
Eco-leather is a leather substitute that does not contain polyvinyl chloride. By appearance, it looks like natural. Manufacturers tried to achieve such an effect so that eco-leather “breathes”. This material is considered one of the best leather substitutes, but it is still not worth comparing it with natural material. Eco-leather has a layer of fabric, which is then coated with polyurethane. A bag made of eco-leather will not last as long as a bag made of genuine leather. However, accessories made from eco-leather are now very popular.
In fact, eco-leather bags began to be produced in St. Petersburg at the end of the nineteenth century. Literally a century later, the use of this material became widespread. Today, a hundred years later, this process has been improved thanks to technology and new developments. More and more variants of leather substitutes are constantly being created.
Many buyers want to purchase a quality item at a low price. In fact, it turns out that understanding pricing is much easier than determining the quality of a product. Especially if it is a product from a new manufacturer and made from an unknown material. First of all, this concerns shoes.
Nowadays, in stores and markets, cheap shoes made in China from pressed leather.
Being unaware of the quality of the material, the buyer purchases the product, hoping that it does right choice. However, after a month of active wear, such shoes will become covered with cracks, and after 2-3 months they will burst at the bend. This is a sign of how unreliable pressed leather.
It consists mainly of dust, shavings, trimmings and shreds remaining after a series of manipulations with the skin. It also contains fibers of synthetic origin, which can be made from any materials: polyester, polyethylene, polyamide. When exposed to high temperatures they melt and stick together. The third component of this material is thermoplastic resin. Its purpose is additional gluing and improving the density of the product structure.
First of all, using special equipment, the skin waste is chopped into small pieces. The fine fibers are then separated from the peri-fiber products. The last step is to add synthetic fiber and resin. The resulting mixture is then pressed to form a flat sheet. The sheet is sent to the oven, then pressed again (the temperature should be 17-20 points higher than the degree of melting of the resins) for about a minute. The resin melts and holds the fibrous structure together. After cooling, a leather-like material is obtained, which is called pressed leather.
Genuine leather is made from a single piece of skin taken from an animal. Only after fifty technological procedures and actions raw hide will become a finished material: the result will be a durable, wear-resistant and, moreover, hygienic material, while preserving its natural structure.
Types of leather substitutes
There are materials that are similar to leather in structure and appearance, but are not leather. They are called leatherettes.
Leatherette - artificial material, creating the appearance genuine leather. It consists of several layers. Leatherette is used in various fields production. Most artificial substitutes can hardly be distinguished from natural material: they withstand moisture and frost. Leatherette is popular because it is not expensive, practical and durable.
Types of leatherette: How to distinguish
- Vinyl leather is a durable material, has good elasticity, is prone to draping, and completely imitates natural matter;
- Dermantin is an artificial material. It is resistant to abrasion, has a slight odor, and is cheap;
- Eco-leather is a soft material, wear-resistant, breathable, has good elasticity, does not crack, does not smell.
Features of eco leather
Few people know what eco-leather is on shoes and how to distinguish eco-leather from genuine leather. Eco-leather is made from a cotton base, on which apply polyurethane film: it imitates natural matter, and thanks to the base, the material becomes resistant to abrasion, stretching and tearing.
Its main advantage is that it is environmentally friendly (hence the name), because during its production not a single animal suffers, and during use it does not emit harmful substances to the air. It is hypoallergenic. This material is resistant to moisture and does not let it in, but at the same time the foot breathes in it. And in shoes made of eco-leather you will be comfortable in all weather conditions. It creates a complete imitation of natural matter, costs less than leather products, but also lasts a long time.
Its downside is that it is not as warm as leather and not as frost-resistant. Compared to regular leatherette, eco-leather is more expensive, but it also wears better.
Caring for eco-leather shoes
Caring for products made from eco-leather is exactly the same as for products made from natural leather:
- Product cleaning and periodic impregnation are required. by special means, repelling water.
- Shoes should be dried before next wear.
- It is best to immediately remove dirt with a damp cloth and then wipe dry.
- Shoes made from this material are stored in cardboard boxes. The inside must be stuffed with paper, and each pair must be placed in a dust bag.
- If necessary, eco-leather is painted with the same colors as natural leather.
To be sure of the quality of the product you are purchasing, you need to know how to distinguish natural leather from artificial leather. There are several ways to find out that this is a fake:
One way to check whether leather is genuine or not is to use a simple lighter. When exposed to fire, leatherette immediately begins to melt, and sometimes it can begin to burn. This is due to the fact that many manufacturers process raw materials with special aniline compounds. Things made from natural materials are not exposed to flame. You can only smell the slight smell of scorched leather.
Another way to determine the authenticity of a product is to use water. Of course, you will not be able to use this method in a store or market; you simply will not be allowed to conduct such experiments. In order to recognize the naturalness of a product (be it a jacket or a bag), you need to drop a little water on it. Natural material will instantly absorb moisture, artificial material will repel it.
Focus on smell when choosing leather product not worth it. Yes, natural raw materials have their own special aroma that cannot be confused with anything else, and leatherette can smell like oilcloth and plastic, but nowadays manufacturers resort to the help of flavoring agents and add them when creating a product. After which you simply will not be able to smell the fake.
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