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Leather lexicon

Leather allergy

A leather allergy as such does not exist. However, it is still possible for contact reactions to occur on the skin when it comes into contact with leather...

  • Production standards

    During the production of Gusti Leder products, care is taken to ensure that international production standards are adhered to.

  • Pork

    In leather processing, the English term for pig and pigskin has become established.

  • Pigmentation

    Pigmentation is one of the final steps in leather production.

  • Plant tannins

    Vegetable tanning agents are used in vegetable tanning to preserve leather.

  • Plant fibers

    Plant fibers are fibers whose origin is plant-based, e.g. hemp fibers, linen or cotton.

  • Peccary

    Peccary is pigskin from the peccary pigs, which are particularly common in South America.

  • Oil colouring

    Oil colouring refers to colouring that is limited to the use of oil.

  • Epidermis

    An animal skin basically consists of three layers, the uppermost of which can be called the epidermis.

  • Nubuck leather

    Nubuck leather is leather that has been sanded on the grain side.

  • Neutralisation

    During neutralisation, the chrome leathers are deacidified.

  • Scar defects

    It may happen that defects in the scar texture occur.

  • Sewing machine

    The sewing machine is of central importance for the production of leather products such as handbags or backpacks.

  • Moroccan leather

    This is a very fine, shiny and firm leather. It is also known as Saffiano.

  • Greasing

    Greasing is the term used to describe the process of re-fatting an animal skin after dyeing.

  • Light resistance

    Whether the leather is light-resistant depends on the type of tanning, the dyes and, if applicable, the degree of acidity.

  • KLICKfix

    The KLICKfix is ​​a clever adapter system for transporting things on your bike.

  • Origin of animal skin

    The origin of an animal skin cannot be seen in the end product. This makes it all the more important to explain the origin and processing transparently.

  • Engraving

    Engraving refers to the processing of a product in which the surface is removed with pinpoint accuracy using a laser.

  • Covered

    Covered leather is smooth leather to which an additional water-repellent and dirt-resistant colour or protective layer has been applied.

  • Lining leather

    Lining leather is generally the term used to describe leather that is used as lining for clothing, bags and shoes.

  • Patch

    The so-called patches can occur in bags with goatskin from free-range farming. As the goats move freely, there may already be small holes in the rawhide (where the hide was...

  • Stains in the leather

    Depending on the type of leather, different products should be used to remove stains from leather products. Every stain on leather changes its chemical structure. Once the leather has absorbed...

  • Greasing the leather

    Greasing influences the properties of the leather. It is an important process for either changing the appearance of the leather, making it softer or impregnating it. Greasing influences the original...

  • Fine leather

    Fine leather is a general term used to describe high-quality leather. High-quality because it has particularly light and supple properties. Depending on the skin type, the leather is dyed with...

  • Deliming

    The liming part of the leather production process leaves lime residue on the hide. This needs to be removed during the deliming process. The softer the desired leather, the more...

  • Depilation

    Animal hides are depilated so that all of the hair is removed from the hide and it can be further processed. Depilation takes place after the liming process and before...

  • Single-bath chrome tanning

    What is single-bath chrome tanning? Single-bath chrome tanning is a type of chrome tanning that’s used mainly to tan sole leather. During the 24-hour chrome tanning process, 1.5% of the...

  • Dyed-through leather

    Once the leather has been tanned, it’s dyed through completely. This process involves immersing the hide in a dye bath, known as a barrel or drum, which colours it. Leather...

  • Leather thickness

    The thickness of leather is a physical feature of leather that is used to tell customers how thick and heavy the leather is. Leather’s thickness is usually measured in ounces...

  • Crust leather

    Crust leather is the term given to the hide when it has been tanned and dried but hasn’t been dyed. Crusting is part of the leather production process and the...

  • Bating & Pickling

    Bating and pickling in the leather production process Bating and pickling are part of the leather production process. These steps take place before the hides are tanned. The processes make...

  • Liming

    The liming process separates the hair from the hides in the leather production process. The hides and pelts are soaked in a mixture of lime and sodium sulphide. This procedure...

  • suede

    Suede / Suede General Suede leather belongs to the so-called rough leathers. Its characteristic feature is its roughened, sanded, velvety surface. The term "suede" is often used erroneously, as it...

  • Vegetable tanning

    Vegetable tanning general Leather tanned with vegetable tanning agents is called vegetable leather. It is also referred to as vegetable-tanned leather, tanned leather, or old-tanned leather. For several centuries, vegetable...

  • subcutaneous tissue

    The subcutaneous tissue is the lowest layer of skin. The subcutaneous tissue consists only of fatty tissue and veins, making it useless for leather production.

  • Environmental protection and tanning processes

    Different tanning processes The most common tanning methods are chrome tanning, vegetable tanning, and synthetic tanning. Chrome tanning involves tanning the leather with chromium (III) salts, making it a chemical...

  • Drying

    Drying General There are many important factors to consider during drying, such as time. Shorter drying times increase energy costs, while drying times that are too long can require too...

  • Tanning

    Tanning General Fish oil tanning is a type of fat tanning in which leather is tanned using animal oil. The resulting leather is also called chamois leather. Sheep and lambskins,...

  • Tara

    Another important active ingredient is used in the vegetable tanning process: tara. The vegetable tannin is found in the small-growing tara tree, which is found primarily in Peru and India....

  • Tannins

    Tannins General Tannins belong to a large group of secondary plant substances. These substances are not essential for plant life and are only produced in certain cell types. Translated from...

  • Tobacco pouches or tobacco bags

    Do you have everything you need? Tobacco, rolling papers, filters, and a lighter? These are the essentials that smokers always check before leaving the front door. But what if you...

  • Synthetic tanning

    Synthetic tanning general In addition to chrome tanning and vegetable tanning, there is a third method used to preserve leather: synthetic tanning. This tanning process uses artificially produced (i.e., synthetic)...

  • Cowhide

    Distribution and processing of cowhide Cattle are raised worldwide for meat production, creating sufficient raw hides for leather production. Accounting for 65-70% of global leather production, this makes cowhide affordable...

  • chamois

    Chamois leather general Chamois leather is leather that has been preserved through blubber tanning. This process involves using blubber or fish oil, which acts on the hides in a 6-9...

  • Shafts

    Shafting General The term "slaughtering" is derived from the Hebrew "schachat," meaning to slaughter. Slaughtering refers to the religiously motivated slaughter of a healthy animal. This practice is practiced in...

  • Semi-aniline leather

    A semi-aniline dye layer with a small amount of pigment is applied to semi-aniline leather. This gives the leather a more uniform color and makes it more resistant to stains...

  • Travel bags: What matters!

    Why travel bag instead of suitcase Travel bags are more manageable and therefore easier to carry than large suitcases. A carrying/shoulder strap, in particular, offers a certain degree of comfort....

  • Suede

    Suede General Suede is the generic term for leather with a velvety surface. This means that the surface is sanded or roughened. A distinction is made between fine nubuck leather...