Complete Guide to Faux Leather Types: PU, PVC, Microfiber & More (2026)
Faux leather has come a long way from the cheap, plastic-looking material of decades past. Today’s synthetic leathers rival genuine leather in look, feel, and durability — often at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re sourcing material for footwear, furniture, automotive interiors, or fashion accessories, understanding the different types of faux leather is the first step to making the right choice.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the three main types of faux leather — PU, PVC, and microfiber — compare their properties side by side, and help you decide which material fits your specific application.
What Is Faux Leather?
Faux leather, also called synthetic leather, artificial leather, or vegan leather, is a man-made material designed to replicate the appearance and texture of genuine animal leather. Unlike real leather — which is derived from animal hides through tanning — faux leather is produced by applying a polymer coating (typically polyurethane or PVC) onto a fabric backing.
The result is a consistent, versatile material that avoids the natural imperfections, high cost, and ethical concerns associated with genuine leather.
How it’s made (simplified):
1. A base fabric (woven cotton, polyester, or non-woven microfiber) is prepared
2. A polymer coating — PU resin or PVC paste — is applied to the surface
3. The coated fabric passes through drying/ curing ovens
4. Surface texturing and embossing create the desired grain pattern
5. Finishing treatments add color, sheen, and protective layers
This manufacturing process gives faux leather one massive advantage over genuine leather: total control over every property — from color and thickness to texture and performance characteristics.
Why Faux Leather? Key Advantages
Advantage What It Means
Cost-Effective Typically 30-60% cheaper than comparable genuine leather
Consistent Quality No natural defects, scars, or color variations between hides
Animal-Free / Vegan No animal products; suitable for vegan-certified goods
Unlimited Customization 1,000+ colors, any texture, any thickness (0.4mm–2.0mm)
Predictable Durability Engineered to exact abrasion, tear, and flex resistance specs
Water Resistance Does not absorb water like genuine leather; easier to clean
Lighter Weight Especially important for footwear and fashion accessories
That said, faux leather is not a single material — it’s a family of products with vastly different properties. Let’s look at each type.
Types of Faux Leather: A Detailed Breakdown
PU Leather (Polyurethane Leather)
What it is: PU leather is made by coating a fabric backing (usually polyester-cotton blend) with polyurethane resin. It is the most widely used type of faux leather, accounting for roughly 60-70% of the synthetic leather market.
Manufacturing process: Two methods dominate:
– Dry process (transfer coating): PU resin is first cast onto release paper with the desired grain pattern, then laminated onto the fabric backing. This is the most common method and produces consistent surface textures.
– Wet process (coagulation): PU resin is impregnated into a non-woven fabric, then passed through a coagulation bath to create a microporous structure. This produces a more breathable, leather-like material.
Key properties:
– Soft, supple hand feel — closest to genuine leather
– Good breathability (especially wet-process)
– Excellent color range and surface effects (metallic, patent, matte, embossed)
– Thickness range: 0.4mm–2.0mm
– Water-based PU options available for eco-conscious buyers
Common applications:
– Footwear uppers and linings
– Handbags, wallets, and small leather goods
– Furniture upholstery
– Garments and fashion accessories
– Automotive interior trim
Pros: Best balance of quality and cost; most leather-like appearance; water-based options available; REACH and CA Prop 65 compliant grades widely available.
Cons: Standard solvent-based PU can emit VOCs; less abrasion-resistant than microfiber; may peel or crack after years of heavy use if low quality.
PVC Leather (Polyvinyl Chloride Leather)
What it is: PVC leather is produced by coating fabric with polyvinyl chloride paste combined with plasticizers to achieve flexibility. It is the original “vinyl” leather and the most affordable faux leather option.
Key properties:
– Stiffer, more plastic-like feel compared to PU
– Excellent water resistance
– Easy to clean and maintain
– Good flame retardancy (PVC is inherently flame-resistant)
– Lower breathability — can feel hot and sticky against skin
– Available in glossy, matte, and textured finishes
Common applications:
– Wall coverings and wall panels
– Budget furniture and office seating
– Automotive seat covers (entry-level)
– Marine upholstery (boats)
– Costume and dancewear (glitter, metallic finishes)
– Book binding and stationery
Pros: Lowest cost per meter; excellent water resistance; flame retardant; wide availability.
Cons: Heavier than PU; contains plasticizers (phthalates) which raise environmental and health concerns — though phthalate-free grades are available; can become brittle over time as plasticizers leach out; feels less premium.
Microfiber Leather
What it is: Microfiber leather is the premium tier of synthetic leather. It uses an ultra-fine microfiber non-woven fabric (fibers thinner than 0.1 denier — about 1/100th the diameter of a human hair) impregnated with PU resin. The result is a material that closely mimics the three-dimensional fiber structure of natural leather.
Manufacturing process:
1. Sea-island bicomponent fiber spinning → ultra-fine microfiber web
2. Needle-punching to create a dense, leather-like non-woven structure
3. PU resin impregnation
4. Surface finishing and grain embossing
Key properties:
– Most leather-like look, feel, and drape of any synthetic
– Extreme durability — 200,000+ Martindale abrasion cycles (genuine leather: ~50,000-100,000)
– Excellent breathability and moisture management
– High tensile and tear strength
– Superior flex resistance — minimal cracking after repeated bending
– Lighter than genuine leather of equivalent thickness
Common applications:
– Premium automotive interiors (seats, steering wheels, dashboards)
– Luxury handbags and accessories
– High-end footwear
– Performance sports equipment (gloves, balls)
– Furniture for high-traffic commercial environments
Pros: Closest synthetic to genuine leather; exceptional durability; excellent breathability; premium look and feel; water-based eco options available.
Cons: Highest cost among faux leathers; more complex manufacturing; limited color/texture range compared to PU, though improving annually.
Emerging Types: Bio-Based & Silicone Leather
Bio-based leather uses plant-derived polyols (from castor oil, soybean, corn) to partially replace petroleum-based components in PU leather. Typically 30-50% bio-content, it reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining similar performance.
Silicone leather uses silicone rubber instead of PU or PVC as the coating. It offers superior UV resistance, extreme temperature tolerance, and chemical inertness — making it ideal for outdoor furniture, medical equipment, and baby products. The trade-off is higher cost and a distinct “rubbery” feel.
These are niche products today but growing rapidly as sustainability regulations tighten globally.
Faux Leather Types: Comparison Table
Property PU Leather PVC Leather Microfiber Leather
Feel Soft, leather-like Plastic-like, stiffer Most leather-like
Breathability Good (wet-process) to moderate Poor Excellent
Durability (Martindale) 30K–100K cycles 20K–50K cycles 100K–200K+ cycles
Water Resistance Good Excellent Good
Cost (relative) \$\$ \$ \$\$\$
Weight Light-medium Heavy Light
Eco options Water-based PU available Phthalate-free PVC Water-based microfibers
Color/Texture Range 1,000+ options Wide range Moderate, growing
Best For Shoes, bags, furniture Budget projects, walls, marine Automotive, luxury goods
How to Choose the Right Faux Leather
By Application
Industry Recommended Material Why
Footwear PU leather (1.0–1.4mm) Best balance of flex, breathability, and cost
Luxury Bags Microfiber leather Premium look, extreme durability
Mass-Market Bags PU leather (0.8–1.2mm) Good quality at competitive cost
Furniture Upholstery PU leather (1.0–1.5mm) Comfort, breathability, wide color range
Wall Covering PVC leather Water resistance, flame retardant, low cost
Automotive Interior Microfiber leather Abrasion resistance, UV stability, premium feel
Costume/Dancewear PVC leather (glitter/metallic) Unique finishes, low cost
Marine Upholstery PVC leather (marine grade) UV + saltwater resistance
Pet Products PU leather Easy clean, non-toxic grades available
By Budget
– Tight budget → PVC leather. If cost is the primary concern and the application tolerates a less premium feel, PVC is the practical choice.
– Mid-range → PU leather. The sweet spot for 80% of applications. Excellent quality-to-cost ratio.
– Performance-critical → Microfiber leather. When the product must withstand hundreds of thousands of use cycles without degradation — automotive seating, luxury goods, commercial furniture.
Quality Indicators: What to Look For
When evaluating faux leather samples, check these specifications:
Indicator What to Ask Good Benchmark
Thickness tolerance ± tolerance range ≤ ±0.05mm
Color fastness Grey scale rating (dry/wet rub) ≥ Grade 4 (dry), ≥ Grade 3 (wet)
Abrasion resistance Martindale cycles to failure ≥ 50K for general use, ≥ 100K for heavy use
Hydrolysis resistance Jungle test (70°C, 95% RH, 7+ days) No peeling or delamination
Flex resistance Bally flex or similar ≥ 50K cycles at room temp, ≥ 30K at -10°C
VOC / Formaldehyde Emission test report REACH, CA Prop 65, or OEKO-TEX certified
Peel adhesion Bonding strength (coating to fabric) ≥ 10N/3cm
Always request a test report — especially for export markets with strict chemical regulations (EU, California, Japan).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is faux leather waterproof?
A: Faux leather is water-resistant, not fully waterproof. PU and PVC leathers repel surface water well, but prolonged submersion or pressure can force water through seams or micro-cracks. Microfiber leather is the most water-resistant due to its dense structure. For marine or outdoor applications, specify marine-grade PVC.
Q: How long does faux leather last?
A: With proper care, quality PU leather lasts 3–7 years, PVC leather 2–5 years, and microfiber leather 5–10+ years in normal use. The key variables are abrasion exposure, UV exposure, and maintenance. Low-quality faux leather (thin coating, poor bonding) can start peeling within 1–2 years.
Q: Is faux leather eco-friendly?
A: Traditional solvent-based PU and PVC leathers have significant environmental footprints. However, water-based PU leather, bio-based PU, and phthalate-free PVC are making meaningful improvements. Microfiber leather with water-based impregnation is the most eco-friendly synthetic option today. Look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certifications.
Q: What’s the difference between bonded leather and faux leather?
A: Bonded leather is made from shredded leather scraps mixed with PU or latex binder, then rolled into sheets. It contains 10-20% genuine leather fiber but performs worse than quality PU leather — it peels and cracks quickly. Faux leather is 100% synthetic with no leather content. For durability, PU faux leather consistently outperforms bonded leather.
Q: Can faux leather be customized with my logo or pattern?
A: Yes. PU and PVC leathers can be embossed with custom logos, patterns, or textures during manufacturing. Minimum order quantities typically start at 1,000–3,000 meters per design. For smaller runs, hot-stamping or screen printing on finished leather is an alternative.
Making Your Decision
Choosing the right faux leather comes down to three questions:
1. What is the end product? Shoes, bags, furniture, automotive — each has different requirements for flex, abrasion, and aesthetics.
2. What is your target price point? Budget products can use PVC, mid-market products should use PU, and premium products warrant microfiber.
3. What markets are you selling into? EU and California have strict chemical regulations — insist on REACH and CA Prop 65 compliant materials.
At cnMaterials, we’ve been manufacturing PU, PVC, and microfiber synthetic leather since 1998. With 1.5 million meters of monthly output, 1,000+ colors across all three material types, and full REACH/CA Prop 65 compliance, we help brands worldwide find exactly the right material for their products.
Browse our materials by type:
– PU Leather Collection →
– PVC Leather Collection →
– Microfiber Leather Collection →
– Request Free Samples →
In This Series
PU Leather vs PVC Leather — the two main types compared in detail
What Is Microfiber Leather? — premium microfiber explained
PU Leather Thickness Guide — from 0.4mm to 2.0mm, which to choose
Water-Based vs Solvent-Based PU Leather — eco-friendly vs traditional production
Faux Leather Certifications: REACH, Prop 65 & OEKO-TEX — safety and compliance