Step 1: The process starts
Tara is a widely distributed shrub native to Peru, which grows in the mountain valleys of the Andean region. The tanning of Caesalpinia Tinctoria has pyrogallic character. It contains practically no coloring substances therefore permits very bright and light-resistant leathers. Tara gives leather fullness and softness and at the same time a fine, closed grain. In leathers tanned with tara the grain resistance to breaking load is higher than that achieved with any other vegetable tannin.

The “Tara” has the property to change the skin into leather giving it resistance, durability and flexibility.

The cochineal is used according to the amount of leather used for dying.

Step 1: The cochineal is crushed
in order to get the tincture. Once it is crushed it is put on boiling water. This boiling should take from 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2: Draining the color
With a gauze textile the impurities and granulations are drained.

Step 3: Immerse the leather into the color
For the dyeing the ink should be at 50 °C the most. The leather is then immerse into the ink with a constant movement in order to obtain an homogenous color.

Step 4: Stretching the leather

Step 5: Getting the final product