A Pellove Deep-Dive for Brands and Sourcing Managers

At Pellove, we specialize in crafting premium leather phone cases, Airpods Case, iPad Case, and small leather goods. We’ve noticed that for many of our clients, the leather market is a maze of confusing terms. Is vegan leather real? Is genuine leather high-quality? To help you make the best sourcing decisions for your brand, we have compiled this comprehensive guide to answer every question you—and your customers—might have.

Section 1: Faux Leather & Vegan Leather (The Synthetics)

Many clients ask us for animal-free options. It is crucial to understand what is happening beneath the surface of these materials.

(Q) What is faux leather and what is its material made of?

What is faux leather? It is a man-made fabric designed to mimic animal hide. The faux leather material is usually a composite. If you are wondering what is faux leather made of, it typically consists of a textile base (like polyester) coated with a plastic polymer.

• The Reality: Is faux leather real leather? No. It is 100% synthetic.

  

  faux leather

(Q) What is vegan leather made of and is it actually “real”?

What is vegan leather made of? It is either made from petroleum-based plastics (PU/PVC) or innovative plant-based sources (like pineapple fibers or apple skin).

• The Distinction: Is vegan leather real leather? or is vegan leather real? No. It is a marketing term used to describe animal-free alternatives. While it appeals to eco-conscious markets, it does not contain any collagen fibers from animal skins.

  

  apple leather

(Q) Is vegan leather durable?

Clients often ask: is vegan leather durable? In the context of accessories like phone cases, it has limitations. It is resistant to water but lacks the structural memory of real leather. Over time, it is prone to “delamination” (the surface peeling off), especially at the corners of iPad or phone cases.

(Q) How to care for and clean vegan/faux leather?

• How to clean vegan leather / faux leather: Use a soft, damp cloth with mild soap.

• How to clean faux leather phone case: Since phone cases are touched thousands of times a day, we recommend using a 70% alcohol-free disinfectant wipe. Avoid heavy oils, as synthetics cannot absorb them.

Section 2: Decoding “Real” Leather Grades (The Grain Hierarchy)

This is where most sourcing confusion happens. At Pellove, we categorize real leather into three main grades.

(Q) What are Full Grain, Top Grain, and Grain leather?

1. What is grain leather? This refers to the outermost layer of the hide.

2. What does full grain leather mean? It is the highest quality. It includes the entire natural grain with all its strength and imperfections. Is full grain leather real leather? Yes, it is the most premium version available.

   

   Full grain leather

3. What is top grain leather? This is the second-highest grade. The very top layer is sanded to remove scars, then a finish is applied. Is top grain leather good? Yes, it is excellent for luxury phone cases because it is more stain-resistant and uniform than full grain. Is top grain leather real leather? Absolutely.

(Q) What is Veg Tan Leather?

What is veg tan leather? Short for “Vegetable Tanned,” this refers to the tanning process. Instead of chemicals, it uses natural tannins (bark, leaves). It is the gold standard for Pellove’s premium collections because it develops a unique patina over time.

Vegetable Tanned

Section 3: The “Genuine” and “Bonded” Confusion

(Q) What is genuine leather and is it real?

This is the most misunderstood term.

• What does genuine leather mean? In the industry, it usually refers to the third or fourth layer of the hide (the split).

• Is genuine leather real leather? Yes, but it is less durable than Top Grain. Is genuine leather real? Yes, but it is often corrected with heavy pigments to hide flaws.

• How to tell if genuine leather? It feels more like plastic than Full Grain because of the heavy surface treatment.

(Q) Is bonded leather real leather?

Is bonded leather real leather? No. Is bonded leather genuine leather? No. It is made by shredding leather scraps and bonding them together with polyurethane (PU). At Pellove, we generally advise against this for high-end phone cases as it lacks durability.

Section 4: How to Identify and Verify Quality

(Q) How to know if leather is real (Expert Tips)

If you are wondering how to tell if leather is real or how to know real leather, use these factory tests:

1. The Pore Test: How to check genuine leather is by looking for random, irregular pores. Faux leather has a perfectly repeating pattern.

2. The Peel Test: Does real leather peel? No. If the surface is flaking off in thin plastic-like sheets, it is faux or bonded leather.

3. The Scent: Real leather has a rich, organic smell. Is pu leather real leather? No, and its chemical, “new car” smell proves it.

(Q) Brand Case Study: Is Louis Vuitton real leather?

Many clients use luxury brands as a benchmark. Is Louis Vuitton real leather? Most of their famous monogram bags are actually coated canvas (a high-quality PVC-coated cotton). However, their premium lines and the light-colored trim (Vachetta) are high-grade real leather. This shows that “durability” and “luxury” sometimes come from high-tech synthetics, but “soul” comes from leather.

Summary Table for Pellove Clients

At Pellove, we believe that the right material depends on your brand’s DNA. Whether you are looking for the timeless aging of Full Grain leather or the modern appeal of Vegan alternatives, we are here to ensure your products meet the highest industrial standards.