Leatherette & Faux Leather Fabric

Leatherette, commonly known as faux leather or artificial leather, is a synthetic fabric designed to mimic the texture and appearance of real animal hide. It is typically made by coating a woven fabric base (like cotton or polyester) with a layer of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PU (polyurethane), which is then stamped and embossed with a realistic leather-grain texture.

Yes! “Pleather” is simply a slang term combining the words “plastic” and “leather.” Leatherette, faux leather, pleather, and vegan leather are all interchangeable terms used in the textile industry to describe synthetic fabrics that replicate the look of genuine leather without using animal products.

Yes, one of the biggest advantages of leatherette over real leather is that its synthetic plastic coating makes it completely non-porous and highly water-resistant. This wipe-clean, stain-resistant surface makes it incredibly popular for dining room upholstery, bar seating, automotive trimming, and bags, as spills can simply be wiped away with a damp cloth.

It depends entirely on your project! Leatherette is significantly more affordable, 100% vegan, waterproof, and much easier to clean than real leather. It also comes on a continuous roll by the metre, meaning you don’t have to work around the natural, irregular shape of an animal hide. However, real leather is more breathable for clothing and develops a natural, distressed patina over time, whereas leatherette will maintain its uniform look.