What Is Faux Leather? Complete Guide
Faux leather is the general, brand-neutral term for any human-made material designed to look and feel like genuine animal leather. It is not a specific material itself — it's an umbrella term that most commonly refers to PU leather or PVC leather, depending on the resin used.
Published 2026-08-30
“Faux leather” is the term most shoppers and B2B buyers reach for first when searching for a leather alternative — more neutral than “pleather,” more common in everyday use than “artificial leather.” But like those other terms, it doesn’t describe one specific material. This guide explains what faux leather actually is, what it’s made of, the different grades available, and how to choose the right one.
What Is Faux Leather Made Of?
Faux leather is a composite material, built from two layers:
- A backing fabric — woven, knitted, or non-woven textile (commonly polyester or cotton blends) that gives the material its strength and structure.
- A synthetic resin coating — almost always either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), applied and finished to mimic the grain, texture, and hand-feel of animal hide.
Which resin is used matters a lot more than the “faux leather” label alone tells you:
| PU-based faux leather | PVC-based faux leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Softer, more breathable | Stiffer, less breathable |
| Durability | Good, quality varies by formulation | More resistant to water and abrasion |
| Cost | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Best for | Fashion, footwear, bags, automotive interiors, furniture | Outdoor/marine, industrial upholstery, budget goods |
For the full technical breakdown, see What is PU Leather? and our PU vs PVC comparison.
Faux leather is overwhelmingly PU by trade volume
Based on our analysis of a decade of China customs export data, PU-based material accounts for roughly 68–74% of all plastic-coated synthetic leather exported by value — meaning that when you see “faux leather” used generically, there’s a strong statistical likelihood it’s PU-based rather than PVC. See the full data and methodology in our PU leather market share analysis.
Faux Leather, Pleather, Artificial Leather… What’s the Difference?
Short answer: in everyday usage, none — they’re largely interchangeable umbrella terms. The differences are mostly about register and region rather than material composition. We break down the full terminology family — including brand names like Ultrasuede and Naugahyde that are sometimes (incorrectly) used generically — in our dedicated terminology guide.
Types and Grades of Faux Leather
Not all faux leather is made the same way. Common variations include:
- Bonded faux leather — lower grade, thin PU/PVC coating over a fibrous backing, prone to cracking and peeling faster than higher grades
- PU-coated faux leather — the most common mid-to-premium grade, used across fashion, bags, and furniture
- Microfiber faux leather — a premium grade built on an ultra-fine synthetic fiber backing that most closely replicates genuine leather’s internal structure; see our microfiber leather guide
- PVC/vinyl faux leather — stiffer and more water-resistant, common in outdoor and marine upholstery
- Vegan/plant-based faux leather — faux leather made without any animal-derived ingredients, though most is still built on a PU resin base; see our classification guide for how much of these products is genuinely plant-based versus still petroleum-based
Faux Leather: Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
- Consistent color, thickness, and texture across production runs — no natural blemishes or size limits like animal hides
- Lower cost than genuine leather at comparable visual quality
- No animal-derived materials
- Easier to clean and more resistant to staining in most grades
Limitations
- Lower-grade faux leather can crack, peel, or delaminate over time, especially bonded and ester-based PU grades in humid climates
- Generally less breathable than genuine leather (varies by construction — wet-process PU and microfiber grades close much of this gap)
- Quality varies enormously by manufacturer, resin type, and formulation — “faux leather” alone tells you very little about durability
How to Tell Faux Leather from Genuine Leather
A few quick checks: genuine leather has irregular grain patterns, natural blemishes, and a distinctive smell; faux leather typically has a more uniform, repeating texture pattern and a “plasticky” or chemical smell rather than an earthy one. Genuine leather also darkens and develops a patina with wear and age, while most faux leather does not change appearance over time.
Common Applications
- Fashion — jackets, shoes, bags, accessories
- Furniture and upholstery — sofas, chairs
- Automotive interiors — seating, door panels
- Bags and handbags
Related Reading
- What is PU Leather? Complete Guide
- What is Pleather? Terminology Guide
- Types of Synthetic Leather: The Complete Classification Guide
- PU vs PVC Leather: What’s the Difference?
- Microfiber Leather
Data sources: China General Administration of Customs export statistics (HS 5903 series, 2017–2025H1), independently processed and analyzed. Material descriptions reflect established industry terminology.