Thrive Home Furnishings

Purchasing a leather sofa is a large investment. There are numerous types of leathers & non-leathers in the market place today. How do you know what you are getting? Words like “pleather & bi-cast” have been confusing customers for some time now. Here are the facts:
Aniline Dyed

The preferred method for adding color to leather using non-toxic aniline dyes. This translucent dye does not conceal markings that are part of the natural beauty of leather.
Breathability

Full grain leather will breathe and adjust to temperature.
Buffing

Process for correcting leather and eliminating natural imperfections in the grain. Often times light sanding is performed, after which a more consistent grain is embossed on the leather. Buffing is also used to remove the grain to create nubuck or suede.
Corrected Grain

Leather in which the surface has been sanded, or buffed to remove imperfections, then micro-pigmented and embossed with a more uniform grain texture.
Finishing

Application of any number of effects to leather after tanning, such as aniline dyeing, buffing, embossing, antiquing, distressing, etc.
Full Aniline

Leather which gains all of its color from being tumbled and soaked in large stainless drums with translucent aniline dyes.
Full Top Grain

Considered the best, this is leather which has been aniline dyed, but has not been mechanically altered. Natural characteristics and markings such as scars, barbed wire marks, and wrinkles are left intact and are considered to be what adds character and beauty to premium leather.
Hand

Used to describe the feel of softness or fullness of upholstery leather.
Leather Match

A lower cost alternative to 100% leather, leather match combines top-grain leather seating with skillfully matched vinyl on the sides and back of the furniture.
Natural Markings

Naturally occurring marks on most hides such as wrinkles, scars, scratches, and insect bites. These markings are part of the natural beauty of leather and indicate its natural origin.
Patina

Over time, and with use, full aniline leather will absorb moisture and oils forming a rich patina finish, much like a well worn bomber jacket.
Pigmented, or Micro-pigmenting

A type of dye that is rolled, or sprayed onto the finish of leather to provide more uniform color and protection from fading.
Protected Aniline

Aniline dyed leather which has had the surface micro-pigmented and sealed with a transparent synthetic protective coating.
Pull-Up Leather

Leather that exhibits bursts of lighter color when stretched, or scratched, as a result of the waxes, or oils in the leather.
Pure Aniline

Leather which receives all of its coloration from tumbling and soaking in drums with aniline dyes with no surface pigmentation performed.
Tanning

A process which converts the protein of the raw hide or skin into a stable, non-perishable material. Without tanning, leather would dry into a hard inflexible material.
Top Grain

Leather hides are split into two layers, with the strongest, most supple part of the hide being the top layer, called “Top Grain”.