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Everything from clothing to furniture can contain leather, and it is one of the most sought after materials in terms of luxury. Making leather is complex and takes a long time to perform, which makes it hard to do at home. That is why most leather is made in large factories, where large amounts of the necessary supplies to create leather can be stored.
The process starts with a piece of animal hide, most commonly the hide of a cow or similar animal. This hide must then go through two processes, the first involving a number of chemicals to correctly cure the hide, and the second a finishing process that makes the leather ready for distribution. Both parts of the process are very time consuming. - The hide of an animal is three layers deep. The first layer is the epidermis, or the outer skin, and the dermis lies underneath. The deepest layer is called the adipose, which is the flesh of the animal. Stripping this layer off in a process called fleshing is the first step in making leather. The hide is then washed to get rid of excess dirt and grime and also to allow it to soak up some moisture. While continuing to soak, chemicals are added to the water so that the epidermis and any hairs attached to it will get eaten away. Next, the PH level in the water is brought down and enzymes are added. These get rid of any excess organic matter. If any remain, it is likely that the finished product will rot. The hide is then taken out of the water and put into an acidic solution. This prepares the hide for tanning. Tanning involves adding certain agents to the liquid that will help the hide resist bacteria. It is then removed from the solution and dried.
- The hides are cut to the desired thickness of the leather to be made and re-tanned. Different chemicals are used, though, because this time the tanning will toughen the hide, and whether it is to be made softer or tougher will depend on what chemicals are used. The leather is then dyed to a certain color, which is allowed time to set in. The leather is oiled, then dried, and then softened by machines. It is then buffed out so it will have a smooth and shiny exterior. A final coat of polymer or wax is added to the leather, and then it is ready to be sold and shipped.
