What Is Pleather? Artificial, Imitation & Faux Leather Terms Explained
Pleather (a blend of "plastic" and "leather") is a casual, everyday term for any synthetic, non-animal leather-like material — it is not a specific material itself, but an umbrella nickname that can refer to PU leather, PVC leather, or other plastic-coated fabrics.
Published 2026-08-29
Pleather, artificial leather, imitation leather, leatherette, vinyl, faux leather, vegan leather — these terms are used almost interchangeably in everyday speech and marketing, but they aren’t all technically synonyms. This guide untangles which of these terms describe the same materials, which describe different construction methods, and which are actually registered brand names rather than generic material categories.
The Short Answer
“Pleather” is not a material — it’s a casual nickname. The word blends “plastic” and “leather,” and in everyday usage it can refer to PU leather, PVC leather, or any other plastic-coated fabric made to look like animal hide. If you see “pleather” used in a product listing, it tells you the material is synthetic — it doesn’t tell you which resin or construction was used. For that, see our complete classification guide.
The Full Terminology Map
Most of these terms fall into three groups: general-purpose synonyms, values/origin-based terms, and brand names that are sometimes used generically (incorrectly).
Group 1: General-Purpose Synonyms for “Synthetic Leather”
These terms are largely interchangeable and don’t specify a resin type — they just signal “not genuine animal hide.”
| Term | Notes on usage |
|---|---|
| Pleather | Casual/consumer register, common in fashion and furniture retail (US/UK) |
| Faux leather | The most neutral, widely used term across fashion and home goods; French-derived (“faux” = fake) |
| Artificial leather | More common in technical/industrial and non-US English (India, Southeast Asia); also the literal translation used across most B2B/manufacturer sites |
| Imitation leather | Similar register to “artificial leather,” common in product labeling and regulatory text |
| Man-made leather | Less common, used interchangeably with “artificial leather” in some B2B contexts |
| Leatherette | Common specifically in automotive and furniture upholstery specs (“leatherette seats”) |
| Vinyl | Specifically implies a PVC-based material — not interchangeable with PU-based products |
Group 2: Terms That Signal Values or Raw-Material Origin
| Term | What it actually tells you |
|---|---|
| Vegan leather | No animal-derived ingredients were used — says nothing about whether the material is petroleum-based (most vegan leather is still PU) |
| Bio-based leather | Some or all of the resin/backing is derived from renewable sources (corn, castor oil, plant fiber) rather than petroleum |
| Cactus / Pineapple (Piñatex) / Mushroom (mycelium) / Grape leather | Named after the specific plant or organism used in the material — see our classification guide for how much of these products is still PU resin by weight |
Group 3: Brand Names Sometimes Used Generically (Be Careful)
These are registered trademarks or historical products of specific companies — not generic material categories. Using them to describe a different manufacturer’s product is both technically inaccurate and a trademark risk.
| Brand | Owner / status | What it actually is |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasuede | Active trademark of Toray Industries | A specific ultra-microfiber suede-like material |
| Naugahyde | Active trademark (originally Uniroyal, now part of Omnova/Syracuse Fabrics) | A specific vinyl (PVC) upholstery fabric brand |
| Corfam | Historical DuPont brand, discontinued in 1971 | An early “poromeric” (microporous, breathable) synthetic leather — a commercial failure, now mostly of historical/textbook interest, not a current product |
If your product is a microfiber leather or a vinyl upholstery fabric, describe it accurately (e.g., “microfiber leather” or “PVC leatherette”) rather than borrowing a competitor’s brand name.
“Artificial Leather” vs. “PU Leather”: What’s the Real Difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion, and it comes down to scope:
- “Artificial leather” (and “pleather,” “faux leather,” “imitation leather”) are umbrella terms — they include PU leather, PVC leather, TPU leather, and any other synthetic leather-like material.
- “PU leather” is one specific category within that umbrella — a material made with a polyurethane resin coating specifically.
In other words, all PU leather is artificial leather, but not all artificial leather is PU leather — some of it is PVC, TPU, or another resin entirely. If a supplier only tells you a product is “artificial leather” without specifying the resin, that’s a signal to ask a follow-up question before ordering, since PU and PVC differ significantly in hand-feel, breathability, and cost — see our full PU vs PVC comparison.
Quick Reference
| If you see this term… | It tells you… | It does NOT tell you… |
|---|---|---|
| Pleather / faux leather / artificial leather / imitation leather | The material is synthetic, not animal hide | Which resin (PU, PVC, TPU) was used |
| Vinyl / leatherette (automotive/furniture context) | Usually PVC-based | Backing structure, thickness, or grade |
| Vegan leather | No animal-derived materials | Whether it’s still petroleum-based (most is) |
| Ultrasuede / Naugahyde / Corfam | A specific branded or historical product | Nothing generic — these aren’t material categories |
Related Reading
- What is Faux Leather? Complete Guide
- Types of Synthetic Leather: The Complete Classification Guide
- What is PU Leather? Complete Guide
- PU vs PVC Leather: What’s the Difference?
Terminology definitions reflect common industry and consumer usage; brand/trademark status noted where applicable is based on publicly available company information and may change over time — always verify current trademark ownership before using a brand name in your own product marketing.