Leather Guide | TRACE Handmade Leather Journals

Italian Leather Hits Different.

STANDARD LEATHER

Standard leathers are the core foundation of the TRACE lineup. These are reliable, high-quality leathers selected for their durability, consistency, and everyday usability. While more straightforward in finish, they still carry the natural character and aging properties that define every TRACE journal.

Saddle

Natural Undyed

Black

Premium Leather

Standard leathers are the core foundation of the TRACE lineup. These are reliable, high-quality leathers selected for their durability, consistency, and everyday usability. While more straightforward in finish, they still carry the natural character and aging properties that define every TRACE journal.

Vegetable Tanned

This veg tan leather is top grade, full grain and has a nice supple feel with a small amount of firmness. This leather has a unique rustic look that adds beautiful depth to the leather and makes for an amazing patina as it ages. The leather is dyed completely through with a matte finish.

Bright Red

Avocado

Turquoise

Bordeaux

Deep Blue

Dandelion

Beige Ice

Sunrise

Strawberry

Moon Dust

Glazed

Glaze is a unique Vegetable Tanned Leather from Tuscany, Italy. They are well known for their traditional methods of vegetable tanning with tree barks that go back 100's of years. The Glazes achieves its uniqueness from its rustic metallic look that has an amazing contrast when light hits it! It is vegetable tanned, full grain, and sourced in top grade. It has a nice firmer feel with a small amount of softness to it.

Raspberry Glaze

Amethyst Glaze

Ruby Glaze

Copper Glaze

Emerald Glaze

Topaz

Chrome Tanned

Chrome-tanned leather is known for its vibrant color, soft feel, and durability. This leather is treated using a modern tanning process that allows for bold, saturated colors and a smooth, flexible finish. Compared to traditional vegetable-tanned leather, chrome-tanned leather has a softer structure and a slightly more polished surface, making it ideal for journals that feature bright tones and expressive color palettes. These leathers maintain their color well while still developing character through use, adding personality and visual impact to the journal design.

Teal leather strap on a white background

Aqua

Magenta Ostrich

Purple Ostrich

Olive

Dark Chocolate Brown

Navy

Patent

Patent leather is a high-gloss leather finish known for its bold shine and reflective surface. This leather is treated with a special coating that creates a smooth, polished look while still maintaining the durability of genuine leather underneath. Because of its glossy finish, patent leather adds a dramatic, statement-making element to a TRACE journal. It reflects light beautifully and pairs well with metallic accents, charms, and bold design combinations. Patent leather is used in select premium colors and brings a sleek, modern edge to the overall aesthetic of the journal.

Midnight

Silver Mirror

Purple Ostrich

Marine Blue Mirror

Nubuck

Nubuck leather is known for its soft, velvety texture and rich, matte appearance. It is created by lightly sanding the outer surface of the leather, giving it a smooth, suede-like feel while still maintaining the strength and durability of full-grain leather. This finish creates a warm, tactile quality that adds depth and character to a TRACE journal. Nubuck leathers tend to develop subtle variations and marks over time, which contribute to their natural, lived-in look. Because of its unique texture and softness, nubuck leather offers a refined, understated style that pairs beautifully with both bold and minimal journal designs.