Leather is a material that can undergo different processes depending on the field of application and the effects you want to obtain.
There is a variety of tools and products people can use to achieve the effects that they want on the surface of the leather material.
So, what are some of the more popular ways of working leather?

Oiling

Oiling of leather involves the use of a brush to coat raw oil or a combination of emulsified and raw oil into the material. An additional aid to enhance penetration may be used.
Oiling of leather is popular because it lubricates the material, makes it flexible and water resistant. The oiled leather also benefits from additional colouring from the oil.

Glazing

Leather glazing is a finishing process that involves the use of a glazing machine to stroke the leather continuously until its surface is compressed. The motion of the machine also helps to bring the oils to the top of the leather surface, which in turn helps create added depth and richness to the material.

Leather polishing

Leather polishing is a leather finishing process whose aim is to produce a highly shiny and reflective leather material. This method of finishing leather is quite common in shoes and other leather products worn by members of the military across the world.

Leather buffing

Buffing leather is a finishing process that makes use of abrasion to remove the top surface of the leather material. The result is a smoother and softer material. Suede is an example of leather that has undergone the buffing finishing process.

Leather embossing

If you want to create added physical depth to your leather, then leather embossing is the best way to go about it. This process involves the use of high pressure to create designs or added texture to the leather material.

Leather plating

This type of process occurs when the leather is put under a hot plate and pressed. Plating is a finishing process that can be very useful as it makes leather more uniform and smooth, and at the same time more lucid.

Conclusion

Leather finishing is usually done after tanning in order to enhance the beauty and, at times, durability of the leather material under production. You can choose the process based on the effect that you want to achieve on your leather material.