Leather is one of the most important and popular materials in the field of fashion and leather goods production. However, with the development of technology, imitation leather has been increasingly produced and widely consumed in the market. Distinguishing between imitation leather and genuine leather is an important issue to ensure the interests of consumers and the sustainable development of the leather industry. In this article, Yan Chuang will accompany you to learn about the difference between imitation leather and real leather, thereby helping you to accurately distinguish between these two materials and make a smart purchase decision.

Features of imitation leather and real leather

Material and manufacturing method:

Imitation leather is produced from materials such as PU leather (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinylchloride), covered with a layer of synthetic resin on the surface. The production process of imitation leather often uses industrial machines in the processing and manufacturing process.

Imitation Leather

Features and characteristics:

Imitation leather is usually cheaper and easier to care for and maintain than real leather. Imitation leather can be printed with many different designs and textures. However, imitation leather is often not as waterproof and durable as real leather.

Reliability:

With the industrial production process, imitation leather often does not achieve the same durability and longevity as real leather. Depending on the material and manufacturing method, imitation leather can peel and scratch easily, especially when used in environments with high humidity.

Real Leather

Material and manufacturing method:

Genuine leather is processed and manufactured from the genuine skin of animals, usually cows, goats, young goats, or crocodiles. The production process of genuine leather requires a lot of sophistication and technical skills in each production stage.

Features and characteristics:

Genuine leather is of high quality and durable, making it last longer. It has a soft, smooth feel, good elasticity, and breathability. However, genuine leather is usually more expensive and requires special care and maintenance to maintain its softness and durability.

Reliability:

The durability of real leather depends a lot on the process of care, preservation, and use. With proper care and maintenance, genuine leather can last for many years and still retain its softness and durability.

The difference between imitation leather and real leather

In terms of looks and feel:

Faux leather often has a more uniform color and shine, while real leather has a natural grain and different flatness.

To the touch, imitation leather is usually harder and less supple than real leather.

When breathing in, imitation leather has a smell of plastic, while real leather has a characteristic aroma.

About durability and longevity:

Imitation leather’s waterproofing properties are often inferior and more prone to flaking or scratching than genuine leather.

Faux leather has a shorter lifespan than real leather, usually only 1 to 5 years, while genuine leather can be used for many years.

About price and value:

Faux leather is usually cheaper than real leather.

Genuine leather is more valuable because of its uniqueness and rarity, better quality, and longer-lasting usability.

However, there are also some imitation leather products with better quality and durability than some poor quality genuine leather products. Therefore, distinguishing between imitation leather and real leather needs to be careful and evaluate each specific product.