BLC News
Do you have problems with product consistency?
14th July, 2011
Leather is part of all our lives in one form or another. Manufacturers and retailers regularly source leather and leather products globally and need to be confident of the quality of the product and, irrespective of the price point, that they are getting what they pay for.
Why not 'fingerprint' your leather with BLC?
BLC is constantly being asked:
- Why does the appearance of the leather in the production sample not match my sealed sample?
- How can we ensure that our leather specification does not change?
- How can I be sure that my leather is aniline, semi aniline or a pigmented leather?
- Is my leather sheepskin, pigskin or cattle hide?
Your leather can be measured to ensure consistency: specifications can be set at the sample stage to confirm leather type and handle; it is possible to confirm what you are buying before committing to an order, ensuring that you are paying the right price for the right leather.
To help benchmark leathers at either the sample stage or after selection, the fingerprint testing process looks at:
Coloured leather dyed through surface - The cost of the leather should be related to the production cost. If samples are not dyed through, why pay the premium?
Thickness and softness of leather - different applications of leather require a certain handle to make sure the leather suits the product. Changes in the thickness and softness of the leather between batches may suggest quality issues and a change to the general way in which the leather is produced - not necessarily for the better.
Finish thickness - if the thickness of the finish is more that 0.15mm it cannot be called leather. Correct labelling is essential for all products.
BS2780 states the following:
Leather - finish thickness of less than 0.15mm
Coated leather - finish thickness of more than 0.15mm
Laminated leather - finish is more than one third of the total thickness
Fingerprinting enables product consistency within the supply chain to be monitored to ensure the end quality meets the initial specification.
BLC members receive a 30% discount on testing.
For further information on fingerprinting and specifications please contact info@blcleathertech.com
