Bonded Leather
Leather Terminology / Leather Grades
noun
Definition of Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is simply the cheapest leather grade available; the absolute rock bottom of leather grades.
With as little as 20% real leather (or even less), many people associate it with low-quality leather items which never last a year.
It has a mixture of shredded fibers with scraps of hides (which would otherwise be thrown away).
The mixture is then combined with plastic (usually latex or polyethylene) then everything is spread onto a cloth or paper backing to form a leather sheet.
Finally, manufacturers will emboss this leather sheet and spray paint it or print it to produce the desired grain or style of real leather.
Unfortunately, the plastic that's used in bonded leather makes it non-elastic. This is why it often cracks after just a few uses. Its strips of polyethylene and low-quality leather will then begin to peel away from its backing, making it undesirable for long-term use.
Example of “Bonded Leather” in a sentence
"Her bonded leather couch lasted only one year before it began falling apart."
Synonyms: reconstituted leather, blended leather
Related Terms for Bonded Leather
Written by Ryan Popoff
Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Read more