Creative Leather utilizes a simple way to make purchasing leather a simple process. Much like the 4 C's in the jewelry industry, which defines cut, clarity, carat and color, the 4 S's of Leather will take the guesswork out of leather shopping and help you to make an educated decision as to which leather best fits your lifestyle. This mirrors the softness category. The more true surface grain present, the more natural and soft the leather. As degrees of surface grain are covered, the cost is lowered and may loose softness. • Full Grain or Full Top Grain - Keyword here is "full top grain" meaning 100% natural hide, nothing has been removed or altered from the top grain surface, typically the most expensive leather. Supple and fabulous to the touch. • Nubuck Top Grain ­ Originally a full grain that has been altered through light sanding, barely noticeable to the naked eye. The sanding creates a light nap, much like suede, and is soft to the touch and accentuates the “hall-marks” of the trail. Nubuck is sensitive leather and more challengingto keep from aging, but many consumers appreciate this rustic characteristic. • Corrected Grain - A top-grain leather that has been thoroughly sanded, pigmented and then embossed with a natural looking uniform grain pattern. Highly stain resistant. • Embossed Grain - The full grain hide that is heavily pigmented and embossed with a less natural uniform grain pattern. Most durable in resisting stains. This is the essential and defining characteristic of leather. The overall comfort and cost of leather is directly linked to softness, which reflects its quality. Countless varieties of leather are available, and many leathers achieved softness through special processing techniques. Leathers range from easy care with high resistance to those that require regular maintenance. It is important to match your lifestyle with serviceability. • Maximum Resistance ­ Impervious to spills and stains, very easily cleaned, best for heavy-duty or commercial requirements. • Standard Resistance - Impervious to most spills and stains, easy to clean, best for residential serviceability requirements. Infrequent maintenance is required. • Neutral Resistance - The most expensive and elegant of all leathers, typically pure or naked, will gain a patina over time. Scheduled maintenance is recommended up to four times per year, as needed. • Minimal Resistance - Expensive and luxurious, typically a nubuck or suede, designed for fashion and style application, requires the highest level of care and maintenance. Countless varieties of leather are available, many achieved through special effects. • Multiple Effects - Defined by more than two special effects such as hand-rubbing or oils/waxes and dyes that that create an upscale look and price. • Active Effects­ Injection of oil or wax to create a color-burst when stretched during the upholstering process. Often referred to as "pull-up” leather. • Mechanical Effects - Processed through automated techniques and includes such effects as two-tone sauvage/kela and distressed leathers. • Uniform Effects - A spray of pigmentation creates a uniform color throughout the hide.