How Is Leather Colored?

The initial colour of a leather is dependent on the tanning agents used. Tannins of plants give the leather a brownish tone, fat and oil tanning makes leather yellowish, while tawing with alum and synthetic tanning agents give the leather a whitish tone and chrome tanning makes it bluish-greyish.

Can leather be dyed any color?

Natural, unfinished leathers take dye easiest, making natural vegetable tanned leather one of the best options for customizing. You can certainly add color to already dyed pieces, but be warned that the process can take longer to achieve a color you are looking for and yield uneven results if not done properly.

Is leather dyed or painted?

Leather, like wood, is a fiber. It can be stained (dyed) or painted (pigmented finish or coating). Leather dyes penetrate and accentuate the natural variations (including stains) in the fiber.