The Leather Process
Timing: Placing hides into a drum and rotating for hours until all the hair is removed. At this point you see what quality hide you have. The tanneries will then sort hides based on number of scars, brands, tick bites, etc., in an "A", "B" and "C" selection.
Tanning: Along with chemicals the hides then go back into the drum for hours. When they come out they have a bluish tint, hence the name "wet blue."
Splitting: Cowhides are thick, so at this point they are split to reach upholstery desired thickness at 0.9 - 1.1 mm. You generally have the top grain and the 1-2 splits.
Finishing: Hides are placed in drums again after splitting to remove water, soften them and apply aniline dyes. The colors penetrate the entire hide. At this stage the leather is "top grain full aniline." Nothing else is done to these hides.