grain pattern
The design on the outer surface of leather
produced by the arrangement of the hair follicles
and pores, characteristic of the species and age
of the animals from which the leather is produced.
In general, the younger the animal the finer the
grain structure. The skin of the female of the
species is usually of a finer grain than the male.
The less hair or wool there is on the animal the
tougher and stronger the leather, especially the
grain surface. Because of their durability,
uniformity, beauty, and form, grain patterns
represent one of the most appealing and highly
prized characteristics of leather, and it is for
this reason that imitation grains are often
embossed on inferior quality leathers and even
printed or embossed on other materials, such as
cloth and plastic. (291 , 363 )
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