Leatherwork Tips
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
An important decision when working with leather is choosing the right type of leather for your project. Inevitably, you will run into the ever-present question: veg-tan or chrome tan?
Vegetable Tan
Vegetable tanning is the process of using tannin and other extracts from plants to create a durable, flexible leather. Also known as veg-tan, this has been used for centuries and creates a natural looking leather. The downside to vegetable tanning is that it is a slow process and can be expensive.
Chrome Tan
Chrome tanning is a much faster process that uses chromium salts. This method is less expensive but creates a less durable leather. Chrome tanned leather is also more likely to suffer from color changes over time.
The type of tanning you use will depend on your project and what look you are going for. If you want a natural looking, durable leather, vegetable tanning is the way to go even though it is more expensive and slower. If you are working on a budget and need the project done quickly, chrome tanning might be a better option even though the resulting leather will not be as durable.