Leather Basics Help Rsas Win with Customers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
14 March 6-12, 2017 FurnitureToday.com Glossary Upholstery: Leather Aniline – The non-toxic, transparent Nubuck aniline – A top grain dye used that allows the leather that has a “nap” effect characteristics of the hide to caused by removal of the remain visible. epidermis. Corrected grain – Refers to top Patina – A luster that develops over grain leather that has been sanded time and with use on pure anilines to reduce flaws then pigmented to and nubucks. cover the sanding and printed with Pigment finish – A process of an artificial grain. coloring and coating the leather. Drum dyed – The process of Pull-up – Full grain aniline leather immersing leather in dye and that gets its color from dyes and tumbling in a rotating drum. when the leather is pulled the Embossing – Altering the natural waxes and oils in it cause the grain of the leather by using color to dissipate and become etching, engraving, plates or rollers lighter in the areas pulled tight. to create a uniform grain pattern; Sauvage – A two-tone effect that embossing can be used for adds depth and character to the Leather basics design creation or hiding defects. leather. Finishing – Term to collectively Semi-aniline – Leather that has describe steps or techniques been aniline dyed and then slightly performed after the dyeing pigmented for color consistency help RSAs win treatment, such as rolling, and resistance to liquids. pigmented spraying, lacquering, Skins – The raw material, referring antiquing, waxing, buffing, glazing, to the skin from smaller animals waterproofing and flame-proofing such as goats, pigs, sheep or with customers to provide more abrasion and calves. stain resistance and/or more even Split – The term for the underneath coloration. portion after the hide is split By Erin Berg FAQ: Why is leather hot/cold? Associate Editor Full grain – Leather that has not during the tanning process; splits @FTErinBerg Leather adapts to the tem- It ages well, and it stretches and been corrected to remove marks are often used for suede. with about five years with fabric. perature of its environment or retains its shape without sag- or imperfections and includes the Suede – Formed from split leather HIGH POINT — Consumer de- what is nearest to it. If ambient ging. Leather is more resistant to entire thickness of the hide. and can be further divided or mand for leather upholstery has temperature is 70 degrees, the animals than fabric-covered fur- Grain – The natural or embossed sanded to reach appropriate grown on average 3% over the leather will feel cool or cold to niture, does not absorb animal pattern and texture of the hide. thickness for the intended use. past three years, and today’s more you because normal body tem- odors and cannot be penetrated Hand – Term used to describe the Tanning – The process of sophisticated consumers have ac- perature is 98.6 degrees. If the by animal hair, but it can be dam- softness or feel of the leather. converting raw hides/skins cess to a wide range of informa- room is 90 degrees, the leather aged by the sharp claws or teeth Hand-antiqued – Also referred to into leather through the use of will feel hot. However, the type of dogs and cats. as “hand-rubbed,” it is the process chemicals. One disadvantage of having so of leather will affect the amount FAQ: Will leather crack or of rubbing a contrasting color on Top coat – A synthetic muchtion at information their fingertips. available is that of time it takes the leather to split? the leather surface to accentuate polyurethane resin (gloss or it can confuse the consumer. The adapt to the body temperature. Direct exposure to sunlight natural grain or embossing. matte) that is applied as a retail sales associate (RSA) who is 16 For example, pure aniline dyed and heat can damage leather Hide – The raw material, usually transparent protective coating to informed and prepared to break leather (see Glossary on page referring to the skin coverings make leather more resistant. through some common misper- 16) will breathe and assume ABOVE: These leathers from of larger animals such as cows, Top grain – The top and most ceptions about leather can in- body temperature rapidly. Muebletex’s highest selections are steers, horses or buffaloes. durable layer of the hide after it is crease the opportunities because FAQ: Can I have leather furni- full aniline finished with wax and Leather – The term includes all split during the tanning process. it gives the salesperson greater ture if I have kids/pets? oil providing pull-up and showing hides and skins that have been This layer is usually “corrected” Leather is very durable and many of the natural characteristics tanned. through abrasion or sanding to ability to win sales. lasts 15 to 20 years compared typical in each individual hide. Liming – The process of chemically reduce any flaws. confidence and, consequently, the removing hair from the raw hide. Waxy hand – Describes leather Machine-antiqued – Application that has a waxy feel and look to it. by machine of a darker color over Weight – Describes the thickness What goes into making leather? a lighter one to create dramatic of leather in ounces or millimeters. highlights. (See Weight/thickness conversion Raw Materials Hides / Skins Curing Liming and Selection Naked leather (or pure aniline) – chart below) Hides usually refer to skin coverings This initial protective Liming is the process of Any leather that receives all of its Yield – Refers to the amount of of larger animals such as cows, treatment uses salt removing the hair from the color from aniline dyes and has no usable area after all waste has steers, buffaloes (sodium chloride) as the hides. Skins refer to smaller animals such principal curing agent to Selection is then done at the topical applications. been discarded. as goat, lamb, calves preserve the hide. tanneries by hand for the highest quality hides, which are ones with the fewest markings Weight/thickness conversion and require the least work to be Leather used for furniture is usually in the 2-3 oz. range. Recliners Finishing Tanning done to them for the finishing. and motion sofas require heavier weight for durability to withstand Hides are placed into wheel drums The tanning process movement in the furniture. to soften, remove excess water and preserves the hide apply a dye coat. and makes its natural During this process, hides can be characteristics Ounces Inches Millimeters corrected through buffing, light permanent. 1 oz. 1/64 0.4 mm sanding, or plating, depending on Chromium tanning is the Splitting 2 oz. 1/32 0.8 mm the level of scarring. modern-day process After the hides are sorted for that uses alkaline chrome their intended use, they are 3 oz. 3/64 1.2 mm salts in a rotating drum for split by a machine that cuts the 24 hours. hides into desired thickness. 4 oz. 1/16 1.6 mm 16 March 6-12, 2017 FurnitureToday.com Upholstery: Leather Raw hides come from many ance of some of those natural Leather different sources all over the marks and blemishes, but it is continued from p14 world, and climate and other important to know that those conditions vary greatly in are natural characteristics of those regions, affecting the the raw material, just like the by fading and drying it. Fading hide characteristics and qual- ones on human skin. is commonly seen in semi-an- ity and therefore requiring FAQ: Are animals harmed to iline and aniline leathers and different levels of correction. make leather? less common in fully Other factors such as special Leather is a by-product of leathers that have a protec- surface treatments and the the beef industry, and if not tive top coat. Drying of�inished leath- age of the animal also affect used to make leather prod- er from the sun will damage t. ucts, the hides and skins any kind of leather regard- FAQ: Are there supposed to would be disposed of as waste. less of the The sun’s bethe ma�inalrks cos and blemishes on FAQ: How is bonded leather heat causes the natural oils to the leather? different from real leather? evaporate, e�inish.ventually stiffen- The marks are your assur- Bonded leather is a com- ing and cracking the leather. ance that you have real leather. posite of leather and polyure- FAQ: Why is one leather There are corrected leathers thane. It is a more affordable grade more expensive than and other processes alternative that offers the look another? that will reduce the appear- and feel of 100% leather. �inishing.