Understanding PU Leather: Handmade Leather Enthusiast’s Comprehensive Guide

The comfort of a sofa, the fashion of a handbag, or a nice dress you wouldn't want to tear. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been gained immense popularity a term "PU leather." We understand at ZEWAH.COM that understanding a material is so important because we pride ourselves in offering such a variety of handmade leather products to help our customers make the right decisions. So, what is PU leather? Is the leather real, and how does it compare to genuine leather? We are diving deep into PU leather.

What Is PU Leather?

Short for polyurethane leather, PU leather is a synthetic material made from coating a base fabric — usually polyester — with a polyurethane finish. A plus of PU leather is that it doesn’t use animal hides, which makes it an animal friendly material choice for those who hate the thought of animal derived products.

 At ZEWAH.COM we are a manufacturer and seller of many handmade leather items and so we understand the increased demand for cruelty free and sustainable materials and PU leather is exactly what we are looking for.

Key Features of PU Leather

1. Durability: Therefore, PU leather was designed for its resemblance to real leather but less or no cracking, such as real leather. As it lends itself to things like wallets, handbags, belts, it’s ideal for products like that.
   2.  Affordability: PU leather is one of the most affordable when compared to other types of leather. This one looks like leather but it comes without the price tag, making it affordable to buyers who want to look slick but don’t have cash to spend in abundance.
   3.  Water Resistance: PU leather is not like genuine leather which absorbs the water and get easily stained. It is very suitable for products that may get wet such as jackets and furniture.
   4. Variety of Colors and Textures: Ironically, PU leather can also be made in a mass of colors and textures making it more flexible from the standpoint of design when compared to genuine leather.
   5. Eco-Friendliness: As PU leather is not fully biodegradable, it’s more eco friendly than traditional leather because it doesn’t require such use of resources and chemicals when tanning animal hides.
   

PU Leather vs. Genuine Leather: Key Differences

1.    Material Composition:
        PU Leather: Made in synthetic and polyurethane coated.
        Genuine Leather: Derived from animal hides.
2.    Longevity:
        PU Leather: Longer lifespan compared to real leather but is durable.
        Genuine Leather: If cared properly, it can last decades.
3.    Price:   

       PU Leather: More affordable.
       Genuine Leather: More expensive than most because of the tanning and processing      involved.
4.    Appearance:
       PU Leather: Being able to mimic genuine leather, but without the natural grain, or  unique imperfections.
       Genuine Leather: Is characterized by a distinctive texture and develops a patina with time.
5.    Care and Maintenance:
        PU Leather: Easier to clean and maintain.
        Genuine Leather: Needs good conditioning to avoid cracking.