Type of Materials

Common Types ofMaterials

Some of the most common materials that designer labels use in their making of the merchandises.

Note: Illustrations’ representing the materials used does not exclusively reflect or specify certain brands. Different processes are used to produce these materials, therefore these information will only serve as a general example.

PVC / Patent Leather

Similar to canvas PVC/patent leather, it has a plastic coating on the surface of the leather. It can be made to a high gloss or dull matt finish. Great to use during winter or rainy seasons, as the leather can be protected from getting water stains.

Calf Leather

Distinctively valuable because of its softness and smooth texture from calf skin. Commonly use for producing simple yet beautiful and elegant pieces.

Sheep / Lamb Leather

Similar as calf skin, but it has softer touch and finer grain, leaving the skin comfortable to be felt.

Suede

Suede leather is made from the under side of the skin, primarily lamb, although goat, pig, calf and deer are commonly used. Due to its textured nature and open pores, suede may become dirty and absorb liquids quickly. Although it’s a high maintenance material, its softness and hug friendly feelings can never be rivaled by other kinds of materials.

Nubuck

Similar to suede, but its texture is finer. It differs in that suede is created from the inner side of a hide, whereas nubuck is created from the outer side of a hide, giving it more strength and thickness along with a fine grain. It is generally more expensive than suede.

Ostrich Leather

Ostrich skin has a characteristic “goose bump” look and feel because of the large follicles from which the feathers grew. Unique? You bet!

Snake Leather

Exotic, raw, and lasting impression. Snake skin is one of the most exotic leather ever produced It has unique pattern that makes any of snake products one of a kind.

Crocodile Leather

Another exotic, once stood rigid and hard. Now a botox treatment has been added to give the leather a glossy look that is as supple and as soft as cashmere when touched.

Deer Leather

Deer skin produces one of the toughest leathers, partially due to adaptations to their thorny and thicket filled habitats. It commands a high price due to its relative rarity and proven durability.

Vachetta Leather

Used commonly on handbag handles and trimmings of bags. The leather is left untreated and is therefore susceptible to water and oil stains. Vachetta leather stains very easily its extremely hard to be cleaned. Sunlight will cause the natural leather to darken in shade, the process is known as patina.

Canvas / Fabric

Canvas is made from extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric where sturdiness is needed. Usually used on bags and shoes.

PVC / Patent Canvas

Similar as canvas, except that it has a plastic coating (Can be glossy / dull) on it. The plastic coating on the canvas serve as a protection against soiling, easier maintenance compared to “exposed” canvas. But it does forego the comfy touch of a canvas.

Nylon

Nylon is a thermoplastic material. Nylon was intended to be a synthetic replacement for silk, as silk is rare and deem too expensive. Nylon has a less glossy surface compared to silk. Nylon feels like a mixture of soft canvas and satin when touched.

Satin

Satin is a cloth that typically has a glossy surface leaving a soft and silky feeling when touched.

Straws

Straw bags have been basic summer accessories for years. Classic straw bags of willow or rattan were hand woven into rigid shapes. More modern straws are soft and cloth like.

Velvet

Velvet has luster and richness which make it ideal for dressier bags.