PU Leather
Leather Terminology / Leather Types
noun
Definition of PU Leather
PU (polyurethane) leather is an artificial leather alternative made of polymer plastic, polyurethane.
The most popular way of creating PU leather is laminating a polyester fiber base with a polyurethane coating to resemble top-grain leather.
But it’s also possible to make PU leather using real leather. In this case, split grain leather becomes the base, and then it's laminated with a polyurethane coating. This type of leather is referred to as bicast or semi-synthetic leather.
PU leather generally has the same texture as real leather (animal skin), only that it’s lighter, less durable, and tends to tear easily.
Besides, real leather develops a rich patina that improves its appearance as it ages. This is not the case for PU leather, a man-made material that can’t form a patina.
Example of PU Leather in a Sentence
"The woman was holding an iPhone case and watch strap, both made from cheap PU leather."
Synonyms: synthetic leather, faux leather, artificial leather
Related Terms for PU 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