Epi leather is one of the many leather types that experts often recommend for making solid and durable products. To make the best use of it, you better know, “What is Epi leather?”
Epi leather is stylish vegetable-tanned leather characterized by textured, horizontal patterns. It has an excellent finish with a protective coating, making it moisture-resistant. This leather type holds a rich history and has come thus far as one of the most luxurious types of leather.
Perhaps you must have heard the term “Epi” leather in conjunction with the fashion brand Louis Vuitton – you’ve heard right. It is among the novel leather lines of this signature designer. Here, you have all you should know about Epi leather served in one dish.
What Is Epi Leather?
Epi leather is a vegetable-tanned leather distinguishable by its stamped patterns and moisture-resistant protective coat. The horizontal lines and textured marks on the finished leather give a unique feel when you touch its surface.
Is Epi leather vegan? No, this type of leather is made from animals’ skin, mostly calfskin. Since Epi leather gets sourced chiefly from the hide of young cows, you would find it supple and soft.
Are you curious as to how this leather came to be? Epi leather came to the limelight in 1926, courtesy of George Louis’ customized tea case trunk. George, the son of Louis Vuitton, who at that time was heading the company, fulfilled a customer’s request, the Maharajah of Baroda (in India), by making this case covered with grain-pattern stamped leather.
From this inspiration, the Louis Vuitton Company launched the Epi leather in 1985, used in manufacturing the brand’s front-line leather product.
Epi leather is a delicate product that undergoes a few processes that make it unique. First, the animal hide goes through “tanning,” where it gets subjected to natural plant extracts – this process is often used for most quality leather.
The next process is dyeing the leather; the tanned Epi leather is dyed with vibrant colors to make them appear more attractive. You would often find Epi leather in varying colors, with some dyed matte and others having a glossy appearance. Following the dye job, the need to seal the leather may arise since this helps the colorant last longer.
Once the leather dyeing is concluded, the hide is pressed with large metal-plate machines, leaving those desirable patterns. One more step in this leather processing is the finishing. Leatherworkers often apply a protective coating to finish off the final appearance of this leather.
This procedure gives the leather a scratch and moisture-resistant coating that is different from other types of leather. Various imperfections, including wrinkles and scratches, are fixed during the leather processing.
Is Epi leather durable? Although soft and supple, Epi leather is lauded for its durability and comes in handy for producing several leather products. If you need a unique and luxurious leather option for your next project, then Epi leather is worth considering!
Types of Epi Leather
Two major types of Epi leather are referenced according to their appearance and dyed colors.
Classic Epi Leather: Classic Epi leather generally has a muted or matte color alongside its solid textured pattern. Its appearance results from unique color dyeing technology, which leaves such an exclusive color.
Louis Vuitton introduced the classic line in 1985, having a precise color that people love. This type of Epi leather is also attractive and enticing for a reminiscent appearance.
Electric Epi Leather: Electric Epi Leather has a shiny and polished appearance with its patent-emerging finish. The dyes and oils employed for this leather’s finishing make it resistant to water and scratch.
The glossy look makes this leather different from Classic Epi leather, and this feature mak