What is pressed skin?

The content of the article

• Composition of pressed leather and characteristics
• Appearance
• Material thickness
• Softness
• Smell
• How to make pressed skin
• Differences from the natural
• Which is better – pressed or eco leather
• Benefits of Pressed Leather
• disadvantages
• Press leather care

The material is obtained artificially, used for sewing shoes, bags, clothes. Pressed, recycled or stamped leather is very popular because it costs less than genuine leather. Using this material, manufacturers make affordable items..

Composition of pressed leather and characteristics

It is made from the waste of the leather industry. Fibers, trimmings, shreds, shavings – all that remains after cutting, processing natural products, goes to the manufacture of extruded. Polyester and other chemical components are added to the binder..

Synthetic resins and latex in high-quality press leather make it stronger.

Appearance

Press leather looks almost like natural: relief is expressed on it, there is a porous texture. She does not breathe well, that is, does not let air in, and does not hold water.

Material differences – the pattern repeats, and the pores are always directed in one direction.

Material thickness

It depends on the purpose for which it was created. For the manufacture of automobile covers, shoes, jackets and other items experiencing severe mechanical stress, the thickness of the layer is adjusted to 4 mm. For more sophisticated things, faux leather from 1 mm is suitable..

Softness

Press leather is pleasant to the touch, elastic, even if it has a large thickness. The material can be bent, folded, but not stretched.

Smell

Recycled leather does not have a specific aroma inherent in natural. If low-quality components were used in the manufacturing process, the material will have a faint chemical smell..

How to make pressed skin

1. The waste is crushed in special drums, mixed with synthetic additives.
2. The resulting mass is pressed, heated until melted, squeezed again and allowed to cool.
3. The material is stained, varnished or invoiced if necessary, rolled up.

Differences from the natural

• Smell. The pressed product does not have a specific aroma that any natural, including boiled, skin has.
• Material temperature. If you squeeze the compact in your hands, it will not get warm. Natural skin will become warm, keep the temperature for several minutes.
• Wrong side. The press skin has a smooth back, while the natural leather looks like suede.
• Water resistance. Natural material absorbs water, from which it becomes covered with dark spots. It doesn’t pass through stamped skin.
• The appearance of the slice. In stamped leather, threads or fabric are visible on it..
• Seam quality. They are sealed in the press skin and have a flat straight edge. The natural product has large seams, bent on both sides.
• Fire reaction. When set on fire, genuine leather smolders, emitting a specific odor, and pressed skin completely burns and turns into ashes..
• Shortcut icon. Lozenge stands for press leather, and stretched hide is a natural product.

Which is better – pressed or eco leather

Recycled material looks great in bags, shoes, belts and other things, as it is elastic, soft and comfortable to wear.

Eco-leather is preferable when it comes to furniture, wall panels and other items that require stiffness in bending, resistance to mechanical stress..

Benefits of Pressed Leather

• Attractive in appearance.
• Low price.
• Easy care.

disadvantages

• Unstable, products from it are worn just a few seasons.
• Poor moisture retention.
• Does not pass air.
• Tear resistant.
• Breaks, breaks under the influence of high and low temperatures, ultraviolet.

Press leather care

• Do not wear them in frost, rain or snow.
• Carefully unfasten all fasteners, zippers.
• Do not stretch.
• Treat with special care products – aerosols, gels, creams.