Finish

Finishing

General

Finishing involves the final steps in the leather-making process, during which the surface properties and appearance can be tailored to the customer’s preferences. This process encompasses not only color application but also waterproofing, ironing, and embossing. During wet finishing—which refers to the preceding steps—certain properties of the leather are already influenced, such as softness, fullness, and texture. There are also pull-up leathers to which waxes or oils have been applied. This is called wax or oil finishing.

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1. Priming

As the first step, a primer is applied to the open-pored aniline leather to “fill” the open pores. This allows the dye to distribute more evenly and prevents the leather from absorbing it. Another advantage is improved adhesion, ensuring the pigment layer stays on the leather.

Grundieren Zurichtung

2. The Color Layer

After the primer has been applied, the color layer is applied, which consists of pigments and binders. This color layer is also called pigmentation, finishing, or head dyeing.

Farbschicht Zurichtung

3. Top Coat

The top coat, also known as the finish or finishing agent, is then applied over the color layer. It is a type of clear coat that protects the pigment-based color from fading and abrasion. Additionally, the top coat determines the gloss level and the texture. For matte leather, a matting agent is added to the top coat or dye. This matting is used on automotive leather and leather-covered dashboards.

Top Coat Zurichtung

4. Ironing and Embossing

After these steps, the leather can be

ironed

and/or embossed. Ironing makes the leather smoother and/or creates a glossy surface. Additionally, ironed leather is more durable and easier to maintain. Embossing gives the leather a new grain pattern or with patterns embossed or rolled on.

Bügeln Prägen Zurichtung