Leather
The skin or hide of an animal with the hair removed. It is often dyed and finished by glazing, buffing, embossing or sueding. Leather has found a permanent place in today’s fashion, working its way into everything from shoes and handbags to business accessories.
Top Grade Leather
Full grain leather which has some correction to the surface to smooth out the blemishes that the animal may have developed during its life time.
Genuine Leather
Is a natural fibrous material with a touch, feel, aroma, abrasion resistance and durability which cannot be duplicated.
Synthetic Leather
A cost effective material that has the appearance of leather but comes in rolls. Made from PVC or polyurethane sheets and laminated with fabric backing.
Bonded Leather
Genuine leather fibres are bonded together with latex to create a look very similar to genuine leather. Bonded leather is not as durable as the other cover materials and is recommended for use only if the book will be used infrequently.
Split Leather
All leather hides have to be split because a hide is too thick to upholster or use in any type of manufacturing. The hide goes into a machine where a blade 'fillets' the hide into two hides. The bottom hide is known as split leather. This hide can be sanded down (corrected) and embossed with a consistent graining pattern to be used on the outside back and sides of sofa for a slight cost savings to achieve certain price points. A split leather is still 100% leather and has all the same finishing treatments as the top grain option.
Nappa Leather
or Napa leather is chrome-tanned, extremely soft and supple and is commonly found in higher quality wallets, toiletry kits, and other personal leather goods.
Quoted from www.thelogoers.com.au