Fake leather

fake leatherA compound word made of the English 'fake', meaning imitation, and 'leather'

Similar words: Artificial leatherFaux leatherVegan leather
Industry jargon: Leja (On-site industry slang derived from the Japanese pronunciation of leather)

An artificial material that mimics the texture of animal leather by coating synthetic resin onto woven or non-woven fabric

An artificial fabric made to replace animal leather by coating synthetic resins such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) onto a fabric base layer to recreate a leather grain. Various textures such as wrinkles, cracks, and gloss are formed on the surface through processing. It is resistant to water and comparatively easy to care for.

Black fake leather fabric mimicking a leather texture — Explanatory image created by hmmm

A jacket showing the distinctive texture of artificial leather

Appearance

It features uneven textures such as artificially stamped pores, fine wrinkles, and cracks on the surface. Finishes vary from smooth high gloss to low-luster matte, and on the back of the fabric, the base cloth or non-woven structure is visible.

Use

It is mainly used as the outer material for various outerwear such as rider jackets, blousons, and padded coats. It is also widely used for miscellaneous goods including shoulder bags, belts, and shoes, as well as coverings for sofas and car seats.

When choosing

Check the material label to see whether the type of synthetic resin is polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is advisable to inspect the surface crack texture, degree of gloss, stiffness, and thickness of the fabric through detailed photos.

Care

When dirt or moisture gets on it, wipe it immediately with a dry towel and let it dry in the shade. Because contact with heat and alcohol can cause the coating film to crack or peel, ironing and standard dry cleaning must be avoided.

Additional information

Genuine leather: A material made by tanning animal hide, which has no artificial fabric base and features irregular pore patterns.
Split leather: A material made by coating resin onto the thick lower layer (split) of genuine leather, where the base layer is animal leather.

Some images are explanatory images created with AI.