Pressed leather what is it: the difference from genuine leather, types, pros and cons

Pressed leather is an intriguing substance that is sometimes mistaken for real leather, but it has distinct qualities and uses of its own. When purchasing apparel, accessories, or upholstery, it can be helpful to know what pressed leather is and how it differs from real leather.

Pressed leather is created by fused leather remnants and fibers together with heat and pressure, as opposed to real leather, which is derived from animal hides. This procedure yields a material that, at a lower cost, closely resembles the appearance and texture of real leather. However, the quality of pressed leather can differ significantly based on the supplies and techniques employed.

There are various varieties of pressed leather, and each has pros and cons of its own. Certain varieties may be less resilient to wear and tear over time, while others may be more durable. When selecting pressed leather for your purposes, it’s critical to consider the advantages and disadvantages.

Pressed leather, sometimes referred to as bonded or reconstituted leather, is formed by bonding genuine leather scraps together with adhesives and pressing the mixture into a homogenous form. Pressed leather is less expensive but less sturdy than genuine leather since it is composed of leftover pieces rather than an entire animal hide. Although it can resemble genuine leather in appearance, it is not as durable or have the same organic feel. The main benefits are cost savings and design flexibility, but there are drawbacks as well, like a shorter lifespan and a propensity to wear out more quickly.

Description

Another kind of material made from tanning waste is pressed leather. After natural hides are processed, chrome shavings, pieces, scraps, and even dust are obtained. Leather can’t be replaced with press leather.

Although the material’s structure is porous, artificial leather does not offer the required amount of air exchange. The thickness, which ranges from 1 to 4 mm, depends on the material’s intended use.

What does pressed leather look like?

From the outside, the material is identical to real leather, with a different fabric thickness and a gauge pattern that is similar. Pressed leather is pleasant to the touch, soft, and long-lasting. Recycled leather, in contrast to real leather, has no surface dents or flaws that are acceptable; the fabrics are consistent in thickness and are not constrained by the dimensions of animal hides.

The substance is colored with dyes. The pigment is long-lasting and uniformly distributed. Pressed leather has just as much aesthetic value as its natural counterpart.

Manufacturing process

Gaining knowledge about pressed leather will facilitate familiarity with the material production process. It is divided into multiple phases:

1. Natural raw materials – waste from tannery production undergo a grinding stage.
2. Cleaning the resulting mass from debris, impurities, large pieces.
3. Synthetic binding components are added to the resulting raw materials: resins and chemical fibers.
4. Using a forming apparatus, the mixture is pressed until a homogeneous layer (fabric) is obtained.
5. The resulting layer is sent to the oven, brought to a certain temperature, and in a heated form, it is pressed again.
6. Dyeing.
7. Creating the texture of the front surface.

For your information, the leftover materials from the production of pressed leather are also used to create low-quality material. Although it looks like leather on the outside, it has a drawback in that it ages rapidly.

Manufacturers

Around the world, businesses that manufacture synthetic materials produce pressed leather. This type of production has the benefit of lowering the price and usage of animal raw materials. Factories in Italy, Germany, China, Turkey, Moldova, and Armenia provide raw materials and finished goods to the domestic market.

Among our manufacturers, the following businesses hold the top spots:

1. Chezima (Chekhov Plant of Artificial Materials) in the Moscow Region.
2. JSC "Iskozh" in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
3. "Iskozh" in the Republic of Mari El.
4. Cooltex – a factory for the production of multilayer textiles in the Moscow Region.
5. Promiskozh Company in Moscow.
6. "Kirov Order of the Patriotic War I degree plant of artificial leather".

What is the difference between pressed leather and natural leather

It can be challenging to tell the difference between pressed and natural leather due to their similar exteriors. This is a trick that dishonest sellers use to trick the buyer. How can one tell pressed leather from real leather in products?

The "mereya" of pressed leather looks just like the typical pattern—a calf or a bull, for example. Before purchasing a product, you should be aware of the following differences:

1. The smell of pressed leather differs from the characteristic aroma of genuine leather: you can catch sharp chemical notes in it.
2. Tactile test: rub a sample of the material or product in your palms and evaluate the temperature after contact. Natural material will retain a pleasant warmth for several minutes. Pressed leather will remain cool.
3. Apply a few drops of water to the surface of the leather. Drops will roll off the artificial material, genuine leather will absorb moisture, which will be visible by dark marks.
4. Smoothness and pattern of the mereya. Genuine leather is never smooth, and when touched it resembles tactile suede. The pore pattern (mereya) on an artificial material is located in a strictly defined order. In some areas of genuine leather it is scattered chaotically.
5. Genuine leather is elastic, stretches easily and returns to its original state. Pressed leather does not stretch.
6. Reaction to fire. It is impossible to do this experiment in a store. If you have a piece of material at your disposal, you can set it on fire. Artificial leather glows brightly and burns; natural leather smolders, emitting a specific smell.
7. Information on the label (relevant if you have a proven and reliable manufacturer in front of you). Pressed leather is designated by an image in the form of a diamond, natural leather – in the form of a stretched skin.

One should not always base their decision on a product’s price. Natural leather is more expensive than pressed leather. However, the product’s cost is determined by a combination of the processing method, complexity class, decorative elements, and materials used.

For those searching for a more affordable or eco-friendly option, pressed leather presents an intriguing substitute for real leather. It is manufactured by fusing synthetic materials with leftover leather to produce a product that resembles real leather in appearance and texture but costs less.

Pressed leather can be a useful option for things that don’t need to be worn heavily, even though it might not have the same aging or durability qualities as genuine leather. It is adaptable for a range of applications because it comes in a variety of types, each with varying quality and texture levels.

But it’s crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages in light of your needs. Pressed leather is something to think about if you want something that looks almost exactly like real leather but costs a lot less. But real leather might still be a better option if you value long-term durability and the distinctive patina that comes with age.

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