Understanding Vegetable Tanned Leather: What It is and How It’s Made

Have you seen a leather wallet or bag that has been in your home for generations? Well, if your answer is yes, then it might be made with vegetable-tanned leather. Vegetable-tanned leather holds a 10% share of the total global market of leather. However, the biggest question is why this very specific leather has a great part in today’s leather community. 

Whether you are a business owner, seller, retailer, or even a consumer, if you want to learn about vegetable-tanned leather, then this blog is for you. Let’s take a look at what vegetable-tanned leather is, how it’s made, its potential benefits, and its considerations in detail.

What is Vegetable Tanned Leather

Vegetable-tanned leather is a unique and refined type of leather. The animal hide undergoes natural, organic, and vegetable tanning processes to produce highly durable leather. Tanners use a wide range of vegetable tannins, which include bark trees, leaves, mimosa, oak, willow, chestnut, birch, and catechu. 

Each ingredient is used to add different textures, smells, and colors to the leather. The main aim of the whole manufacturing process is to use only natural elements and tannins throughout the production. This results in beautiful, high-quality, and long-lasting leather. 

History of Vegetable Tanned Leather

The use of leather has been around since 400,000 years ago. Since the Stone Age, humans have been seen using animal hide to prepare their clothes, armor, tools, and so much more. Vegetable tanning is one of the many ways to create leather. According to intensive research on leather history, vegetable tanning was seen in China even before 1,000 B.C. An archeologist found a leather saddle from the grave of a woman in Turpan, China. The leather saddle belongs to 724 and 396 B.C.E. It is one of the shocking discoveries up to date which shows that vegetable tanning of leather has been in China for long ago we can’t even imagine. 

As time passed, archeologists found evidence of vegetable-tanned leather in China during many eras, including the Stone and Bronze Ages. Vegetable tanning was considered a family secret passed down from generation to generation, which is one of the main reasons that China is now considered the major hub of manufacturing and sourcing leather products worldwide.

The origin of vegetable tanning is still unknown. However, many areas of the world, including Egypt, Iraq, China, India, and especially the Middle East, have clear evidence of using it for centuries. 

The process keeps on improving and evolving with time and people. Egyptians, Babylonians, and Romans were the most prominent people in history who brought vegetable tanning to the industrial level. In the 1800s, vegetable tanning became more common. Since then, you can find vegetable-tanned leather products in different styles, sizes, and even colors. From producing wallets, bags, and belts to making furniture, car seats, and shoes, vegetable-tanned leather is used in a wide range of industries.

How Vegetable Tanned Leather Made

Vegetable-tanned leather is a long and slow process. It goes through six main stages: curing, liming, de-liming, tanning, drying, and finishing. The first three stages are mostly called the pre-tanning process, where the hide is prepared for the tanning phase. The whole process doesn’t include any harsh chemicals, making it eco-friendly. Let’s closely take a look at each vegetable tanning stage. 

Curing

The vegetable-tanned leather process starts with animal slaughtering. The fresh hide is then taken to a place called a beam house. In the tannery, manufacturers quickly salted the hide to prevent it from bacteria and rotting. 

Liming

After that, tanners take the hide to a liming pit. They soak the hide in big drums filled with natural substances like calcium hydroxide or milk of lime. The drum continuously turns, removing excessive salt, blood, hair, and other residue from the hide. As the hide is soaked into lime, therefore, this process is called liming. 

De-Liming

When the hides are properly immersed in lime, tanners then put them into other rotating drums filled with different natural chemicals. The main aim of this step is to lower the pH of the hide again by de-limiting them. 

Tanning

Now, the hide is prepared for tanning. Tanners then put the hides in other drums, which contain water and natural vegetable tannins. For instance, tree bark, fruits, leaves, oak, and other organic materials. Here, only skilled tanners prepare the tanning formula to create a different effect on the leather. 

Different types of tannins are used to add different colors, finishes, and textures to the leather. For about a month or two, the hides are constantly moved from drums filled with lower to higher concentrations of tanning solution. The slow process results in adding physical properties to the leather and makes it sturdier. 

Drying and Dying

The tanned hides are then removed from the tanning drum and dry for at least 4 days. This is a very special step for tanners, where they can mold the leather as they want, dye it, customize it, and even add stamps. The main aim of this step is to make the leather strong and flexible.

Finishes

The dried hides are then treated with different natural oils and waxes and dried again. The oiling is a necessary step to keep the hide fresh and soft. Otherwise, the hide may get worn out early. It makes the leather durable and also enhances the color tone.  Now, the leather is ready, and it can then be stretched, measured, and trimmed for the products as per product manufacturer demands.

Benefits of  Vegetable Tanned Leather

There are many benefits of vegetable-tanned leather. Whether it’s a manufacturer, retailer, seller, or consumer, vegetable-tanned leather is an ideal choice for everyone. The leather goes through many phases and processes over time beautifully. Some notable benefits of vege

1. Durable

Vegetable-tanned leather is high-quality, which consumers can use from generation to generation without worrying about tearing or damage.

2. Natural Color

It has deeper colors that are not the usual colors that fade away with time. Instead, the beige and brown color of vegetable-tanned leather products suits all types of styles and looks perfectly.

3. Develop Beautiful Patina

The leather does not have any synthetic coating. Therefore, it undergoes natural beautification, developing into a beautiful patina over time. It means the more you use the product, the more it looks attractive. So, if you see the same leather product after 5 to 10 years, it will look overwhelming.

4. Rich Attractive Fragrance

The leather soaks into natural elements over and over, which leaves an earthy aroma in it. The unique smell is attractive and quite addictive.

5. Sustainable

It is the most environmentally friendly leather as it uses only organic elements. The high durability ensures you don’t have to throw away the product after a few years of use. 

Considerations of Vegetable Tanned Leather

Vegetable-tanned leather is mainly considered a better leather option in terms of many attributes. However, there are still some considerations that manufacturers, sellers, and consumers must consider before opting for a vegetable-tanned leather product. Some of its limitations include:

1. Water Sensitive

The biggest drawback of vegetable-tanned leather is that it is highly sensitive to water damage. It absorbs water, which may cause stiffness and even stains on your product. Therefore, vegetable-tanned leather product owners need to be extra careful while bringing their products near the water. 

2. Long Manufacturing Process

Secondly, the traditional tanning process takes up to 2 months to produce leather, which is necessary for high-quality leather production. But, most people do not have much time and require an urgent leather solution. So they often look for quick options like chrome-tanned leather, which may be fine initially but not last very long. 

3. Quite Expensive

Similarly, vegetable-tanned leather is quite expensive as compared to other leather. Well, the money is worth the investment, considering the quality and fineness. However, most small businesses cannot afford the expensive leather. That’s why they prefer other cheaper options.

4. Takes Time To Become Soft

The leather naturally comes out stiff in the start and gets softer with time. Sometimes, people prefer soft-touch products and can’t wait for the longer aging process. Therefore, they go for other dinner options. 

5. Change Color Over Time

The same goes for color and patterns. Vegetable-tanned leather develops a patina over time and changes its color. Well, this may seem a benefit to some people. But others may not. Some consumers like their products to stay consistent. This can’t happen with vegetable-tanned leather. 

Vegetable-tanned leather is only for people who have the patience to enjoy the natural development, manufacturing, and beautification of their products. As for sellers who are in a hurry to launch their new product in less time, they can go for other leather options.

What Makes Vegetable Tanned Leather Stands Out Among Other Leathers

There are basically two types of leather tanning process. One is vegetable tanning, and the other is chrome tanning. The vegetable tanning process involves natural tennis, directly sourced from organic materials. For instance, leaves, tree bark, chestnut wood, oak, and fruits. The main aim of vegetable tanning is to soak the hide in organic water to absorb all the moisture from the leather. This makes the leather more sturdy and water-resistant. The whole vegetable tanning takes 70 days to complete fully. Despite the long process, leather comes out soft, flexible, and obviously sturdy. 

On the other hand, chrome tanning uses harmful chemicals like chromium salts and acrylic varnishes, which speed up the leather-making process. Chemical tanning gives different color options in leather. Despite the brighter tones and stain-resistant abilities, chrome-tanned lather does not contain the premium qualities of real leather. For instance, it wears out early. 

If you are a businessman, retailer, or shopper and want to have a leather collection product in your shop, it’s best to use vegetable-tanned leather. Veg-tan leather looks hard when you first purchase it, but the longer consumers use it, the more naturally it becomes softer and develops into a really beautiful patina. This is not the case with chrome-tanned leather. The longer you use chrome-tanned leather products, the more they get weird out and fade color.

Moreover, vegetable-tanned leather only uses natural and organic products to make leather, which makes it a sustainable product. On the other hand, chrome-tanned leather is not an environmentally friendly process. First, the process uses harmful chemicals. Secondly, chemical byproducts like lead and chromium are dumped into eco-areas, which is dangerous for the manufacturer, consumer, and the environment.

Therefore, vegetable-tanned leather is preferable to chrome-tanned leather. The durability, flexibility, softness, and sustainability are the biggest factors that make vegetable-tanned leather most preferred in all fields. 

How Does the Color of Undyed Vegetable Tanned Leather Change With Time?

The undyed vegetable-tanned leather has its own natural color. Raw leather is directly used to make products without dying them. Because the natural color of the hide will naturally get darker with time. The color of the leather keeps getting darker as the time passes. For instance, the color of a vegetable-tanned leather bag is light beige when you buy it. When you start using it, there are several factors that impact the color of the leather to get darker. The sunlight, air, skin touch, skin oil, water, and daily use naturally help vegetable-tanned leather to develop a rustic and darker color. 

The vegetable-tanned leather takes time to age. Sometimes, it takes a few months or years. The aging process and the type of patina you get totally depend on the product you have and how you handle it. If you have a small vegetable-tanned leather wallet, it will get darker faster than a vegetable-tanned leather bag. Wallets are used more than bags, so they speed up the aging process and create a patina. 

How To Take Care of Your Vegetable Tanned Leather Products

Vegetable-tanned leather products come with exceptional quality and durability. However, they need your attention and care to survive the wear and tear of generation to generation. Yes, you’ve read right. With proper attention and the right techniques, you can increase the lifespan of your veg-tan leather product and enhance its overall look. Try to follow these simple tips while using vegetable-tanned leather:

• Vegetable-tanned leather is highly sensitive to water. Therefore, it’s best to keep it away from water. The first month of your purchase is especially sensitive, and it is advisable to keep the leather dry. Otherwise, a single drop may leave a stain on the hide forever. 
• For cleaning, use a dampened clean dampen cloth. Clean the surface of the leather without making it wet. Then, use a dry cloth to dry it.
• Keep the leather away from heat and blow drying. 
• Once the dust is removed, apply natural leather oil over the leather. It will give your leather a soft, shiny look. 
• Lastly, you can also use wax to enhance the appearance of the leather. 

If you regularly follow these steps, you may retain the original and natural patina and shine of your leather. 

Shopping Guide

For wholesalers, retailers, shoppers, importers, small business owners, or Amazon sellers, if you are looking for premium quality leather products, reach out to Mherder. Mherder is one of the leading manufacturers of leather goods in China. We only use premium-quality vegan leather and make each product with skilled craftsmanship. With our customization offer, we ensure that we meet all the unique needs and requirements of our clients. 

Our skilled craftsmen specialize in producing only quality leather products. Some of these include:

• Leather tote bags
• Leather handbags
• Leather backpacks
• Leather crossbody
• Leather duffle bags
• Leather wallets
• Leather belts
• Leather passport holder
• Leather phone cases
• Leather MegSafe, and much more

Visit our website to learn more about our products and services. For a quick start, email us your product details, customization options, and designs you want. Within days, our team will contact you with a personalized production process and detailed quote. If you are worrying about ordering your products in bulk without checking quality, rest assured. We also send out samples first. If you approve and are satisfied with the design and quality of the products, we start mass production. So what are you waiting for? Book your order now.

Conclusion

Vegetable-tanned leather is a premium quality leather. It stands out in many things like color, tone, smell, durability, quality, and even sustainability. It requires highly expert craftsmanship to produce vegetable-tanned leather. The production process revolves around curing, liming, de-liming, tanning, drying, and finishing. It takes up to 2 months to create one batch of vegetable-tanned leather. The high precision and use of natural elements make it an eco-friendly product. All of these attributes make it worth all the investments. 

So, if you are a seller, business owner, Amazon seller, or retailer and hoping to add leather products to your collection, consider using vegetable-tanned leather products. It ensures that you will have loyal customers, lifelong sales, and increased revenue. Check out our latest blog, “Top 10 hot-selling handmade leather products,” to learn which type of product you can add to your business to gain more sales.