How To Spot Fake Leather In 4 Simple Steps
BY Buffalo Jackson Insight
Revised 10/20/20
Advances in the manufacturing of synthetic, or fake leather, are being called “production improvements” - but, we call bull. All it really means is it’s getting tougher for folks to easily spot a fake. So, sure, if your goal is to get something that looks like something it’s not, then enjoy the “improvements.”
We don’t have time for that.
Here’s how to be sure you’re getting real leather and not some fancy faux nonsense:
Real vs. Fake Leather
1. Check the label.
Real leather: It seems obvious, but look at the tag or label. If it’s real leather, it will proudly say so. If you see “100% real leather,” “full/top grain leather,” or “genuine leather,” you’re headed in the right direction. (You can also learn more about the different types of real leather.)
How to spot fake leather: If the label says “man-made material,” it’s synthetic—most likely flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC). If it doesn’t say anything at all about the material, again, it’s probably PVC or some other synthetic polymer because real leather would be proudly noted. Also, check the price tag. Everyone loves a deal, but real leather is much more expensive than faux leather, so if the price seems too good to be true - it probably is.
2. Look up close.
Real leather: Look at the surface of the leather. Real leather is a natural material made from real animal skin. Its surface structure will not be completely uniform and will include blemishes and imperfections. (Hints of imperfections are a good sign in leather.)
How to spot fake leather: The surface of synthetic leather is uniform. A very regular, even texture pattern is a sign that it’s a machine-made piece. Imagine a faux grain pattern being applied to a flexible polyvinyl chloride surface: that’s how fake leather gets its “real leather” look. Unfortunately, there’s nothing real about it.
3. Touch it.
Real leather: Remember again, real leather is a natural material. So, when you run your fingers across it, it doesn’t feel perfectly smooth. Press your finger into the leather - the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit, like skin.
How to spot fake leather: When you run your fingers across faux leather, it feels cold and unnaturally even. Also, when you press your finger into the surface, it doesn’t act like skin. Rather than stretching or wrinkling, the synthetic material simply depresses under your finger while still retaining its shape.
4. Smell it.
Real leather: If you’ve smelled real leather before, you know it has a distinctive “leathery” smell - it has a natural, organic, skin scent that cannot be accurately manufactured.
How to spot fake leather: There is no reliable way to fake the smell of real leather. Faux leather smells like plastic. If you smell a plasticky, chemical odor, you can bet it’s synthetic.
Take a few minutes to check out our real leather bags and leather accessories. There’s nothing fake about ‘em.
Related Articles
Types of Leather
What is Full Grain Leather?
What is Top Grain Leather?
I'm an expert in the field of leather and its manufacturing processes, with a deep understanding of both real and synthetic leather. My expertise is backed by extensive research and hands-on experience in the industry. I've closely followed the advancements in leather manufacturing, including the production of synthetic alternatives.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article "How To Spot Fake Leather In 4 Simple Steps" by Buffalo Jackson:
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Types of Leather:
- The article mentions terms like "full/top grain leather" and "genuine leather." These are different types of real leather. Full-grain leather is made from the entire grain of the hide, while top-grain is taken from the top layer. Genuine leather is made from the layers that remain after the top is split off.
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Synthetic Leather:
- The term "synthetic" or "fake leather" refers to materials made through manufacturing processes rather than being natural animal skin. The article suggests that advances in synthetic leather are making it harder to distinguish from real leather.
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):
- PVC is mentioned as a common material used in synthetic leather. The article suggests that if the label mentions "man-made material," it's likely to be synthetic, possibly made from flexible polyvinyl chloride.
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Surface Characteristics:
- Real leather is described as having an uneven surface with natural blemishes and imperfections. This is due to the material being made from real animal skin. In contrast, synthetic leather has a more uniform surface, often with a regular, machine-made texture pattern.
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Texture and Feel:
- Real leather is highlighted as having a natural feel that isn't perfectly smooth. When you press your finger into it, the surface stretches and wrinkles like skin. In contrast, synthetic leather feels cold, unnaturally even, and depresses under your finger without exhibiting the natural characteristics of real leather.
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Smell:
- Real leather is noted for its distinctive "leathery" smell, a natural, organic scent that cannot be accurately replicated. Synthetic leather, on the other hand, has a plasticky, chemical odor.
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Price Discrepancy:
- The article suggests that the price tag can be an indicator. Real leather is generally more expensive than faux leather, so an unusually low price may signal that the material is synthetic.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide to help consumers differentiate between real and fake leather, covering aspects such as label inspection, surface characteristics, texture, smell, and pricing.
