What is aniline leather and semi-aniline leather?

Aniline leather is usually made from the finest quality raw hides. It is obtained with a minimal surface finish that keeps the leather extremely natural - in jargon, this is called aniline leather with through-dyeing in the barrel.

In the finishing phase, the operations to be carried out are few, but fundamental, because the aim is not to cover the grain, but rather to leave its characteristics visible, to enhance its naturalness and uniqueness. The choice of the grain is therefore fundamental; it must be sufficiently free of defects to be up to the standard of a finish that is as precious as it is expensive, such as aniline leather. This finish can be applied both to chrome-tanned and chrome-free leathers.

Aniline leather is therefore an extremely valuable product and is used for luxury items such as furniture, fashion accessories or luxury leather goods. To maintain the natural beauty, it is absolutely necessary to constantly clean and protect the leather from the first use.

What are the characteristics of aniline leather?

The macro-features to identify aniline leather are:
- Its unique and natural appearance: this type of leather retains all the imperfections and natural variations of leather, making each piece unique and authentic. This leather is not treated with opaque pigments, so it shows its intrinsic characteristics such as veins, scars and color variations;
- its fine finish: the finish is minimalist and of high quality, designed to enhance the natural beauty of the article;
- quality of the raw hide required: the leather used for the aniline finish must be of the best quality as there are no heavy treatments to hide defects. Only the best raw hides are chosen to become aniline leather, guaranteeing a luxury end product with high aesthetic value.

What distinguishes aniline leather from semi-aniline leather?

Semi-aniline leather is treated with a light use of pigments to improve the uniformity of the color. This smoothes out what might be small imperfections in the natural grain. At the same time, it evens out its surface and protects it. The effect obtained is less natural than with aniline leather, but the grain of the leather is still clearly visible.

What are the characteristics of semi-aniline leather?

Semi-aniline leather is a very popular product for the home style and fashion sectors.
The macro-features to identify semi-aniline leather:
- fairly natural grain surface: the leather retains much of its original texture, maintaining an authentic and unique appearance;
- good hand and appearance: the light finish applied to the leather does not compromise its softness and feel, making it very aesthetically pleasing;
- better lightfastness than pure aniline leathers: treated to better resist sunlight, it retains its color and beauty for longer.

If you require further information or advice on how aniline and semi-aniline leather can meet your specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is always available to help you find the perfect solution for your projects. If you would like to evaluate the leather before placing an order, discover Instant Service.