Leather can cost anywhere between Rs. 50 / sq ft to 500 / sq ft.
The price range is so large primarily because there are several factors that determines the cost of leather.
Here are some:
Source of raw material
Leather can be made from cow, buffalo, goat, sheep or pig skin. It is a bi product of the meat industry and a form of upcycling waste. Leather made from exotic animal skins like reptiles are not bi products and are considered cruel and forbidden in many countries. Depending on the animal source, the price can vary because the strength of the material is different. The application will also differ.
Origin of raw material
The place where the animal originates from determines the living condition and physical characteristics, making raw materials from some origins more expensive than the other. For example: Leather made from European raw material is more expensive than leather made from Indian raw material. This is because the animal has lived in better conditions and therefore have fewer defects like tick marks, scratches, wounds etc
Tannery location
Leather from Italian tanneries tend to be more expensive because they follow stringent quality standards both in terms of production and testing, resulting in a much superior product. Since leather tanning is an important industry in Italy and contributes in a big way to the GDP, Italian tanneries get more support from their government to follow sustainable tanning practices.
Testing standards
What determines the longevity of any leather is the materials used in the tanning process and the way each process is executed. The end product can be tested on various parameters such as color fastness to sunlight / rubbing / sweat, resistance to abrasion / fire etc. to understand how well it has been tanned and whether or not it meets the desired standards. Leathers that have a test report to authenticate its quality are more expensive since the testing process also adds to the cost.
Size of the hide
The size of the end product depends on the raw material. For bigger use cases such as furniture, the size of the hide becomes important as it directly affects the consumption. By using good quality Italian hides that are 50-55sft, an upholsterer typically saves about 30% on consumption, as compared to Indian leather which averages 30sft. This means lesser wastage, which is better for the environment too.
Finish
Every finish of leather is a unique recipe and has certain costs attached to it. At Hideitalia, we have curated a range across a variety of textures and colors, to suit all budgets. All our leathers are upholstery grade and meet our stringent quality and testing standards. Your leather choice should be based on a combination of the desired outlook, your lifestyle, your needs and your budget. Our least expensive leather is just as good as our most expensive one, but they’re priced differently for unique reasons.
At Hideitalia, we believe in having transparency with our pricing. All our products have a list price that you can see on this website. We stand by our product and will be happy to help you make an informed choice, so please reach out if you have any questions.
All purchases will need to be made through our partners as we don’t sell directly to end customers.
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