Suede Leatherette: Microfiber Suede vs Faux Suede Explained

Key Takeaways

• “Suede leatherette” has no single definition, so ask what the base fabric and surface layer are.
• Microfiber suede is built on a fine-fiber network with polyurethane; faux suede can mean many constructions.
• The sources checked describe types and structure, not head-to-head test results, so use your own abrasion, color-rub and hydrolysis tests.
• US labeling guidance expects non-leather material to be disclosed as such.
• Fuzhou Leather’s microfiber page lists specifications, but it does not describe a suede nap, so ask for it as a custom item.

What is suede leatherette?

Suede leatherette is a synthetic covering made to look and feel like suede. Because “leatherette” and “faux suede” are both informal terms, the phrase can describe several different constructions.

The three constructions you will meet most often:

• Microfiber suede: a fine-fiber base combined with polyurethane, finished to a short nap.
• Faux suede on a fabric backing: a napped or brushed surface attached to a woven, knit or nonwoven support.
• Coated leatherette with a suede-look finish: a polymer-coated fabric whose surface is buffed or textured to look napped.

Real suede is different again. It is leather with a napped surface, so it is a natural material and is not covered by this comparison.

What is microfiber suede?

Microfiber suede is a synthetic leather built on a three-dimensional network of very fine fibers with polyurethane. A 2026 review in China Textile Leader describes microfiber polyurethane leather as a synthetic leather with a biomimetic three-dimensional fiber network, and says the paper covers its definition, classification, structure and preparation. Only the abstract was available to us, so we use it for the definition and nothing more.

What this means for a buyer:

• The base does the work: a fiber network gives a different hand and strength than a plain coated fabric.
• The surface is finished: the nap is created in finishing, so its length and density are specification points.
• It is engineered: the manufacturer controls thickness, color and surface, which suits repeat orders.

For the broader family, see our faux leather vs microfiber guide.

What does “faux suede” usually mean?

Faux suede is the wider label and covers any synthetic with a suede-like surface. A sewing guide from Sewguide lists synthetic suede with a backing, branded microfiber suedes, nonwoven suede and suede-like finishes on natural fibers as separate types, and covers their advantages, care and sewing.

That list shows why the term is risky in a specification:

• Different bases: woven, knit and nonwoven supports behave differently in stretch and tear strength.
• Different surfaces: a flocked, brushed or sanded nap wears differently.
• Different uses: a garment fabric and an upholstery fabric are not interchangeable.

How do the main suede-look constructions compare?

The constructions differ most in base, surface and what to test. The table below is a buyer’s checklist built from the type descriptions above, not a measured ranking.

No source we opened gives side-by-side durability or price figures for these types, so we do not publish any. Ask each supplier for its own test reports on the exact product.

How should a suede-look material be labeled?

A suede-look synthetic should be described as non-leather. The US Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products (16 CFR Part 24) say it is deceptive to use the unqualified term “leather,” or other unqualified terms suggestive of leather, unless the product is composed in all substantial parts of leather. They give “imitation leather” and “vinyl coated fabric” as examples of disclosures for non-leather material that looks like leather.

Two limits apply. The Guides list specific items such as bags, wallets, footwear and belts, so check how they apply to your product. They are also administrative guidance, not legal advice, so confirm your labels with a qualified adviser.

What should buyers and product makers check?

Check the base, the nap and the tests before approving any suede-look material. Six points cover most returns:

• Construction in writing: ask what the base and surface layer are, instead of accepting “suede leatherette.”
• Nap direction and shade: napped surfaces can look different from different angles, so cut all panels in the same direction.
• Color transfer: ask for a color-rub result, especially for pale suede-look next to denim or dark clothing.
• Abrasion and flex: request Martindale or equivalent abrasion data and a flex test. See our testing standards guide.
• Hydrolysis for PU: polyurethane products should have an aging test result for your use case.
• Care instructions: a napped surface needs brushing and gentle cleaning, so write care guidance for your customer.

For the specification fields to fill in before you request samples, use our specification sheet guide.

How does Fuzhou Leather approach this?

Fuzhou Leather (Dongguan Fuzhou Leather Co., Ltd.) is a PU and PVC synthetic leather and coated fabric manufacturer that lists OEM/ODM and custom development. Its microfiber synthetic leather page lists these specifications:

• Size: a width of 137 cm and a thickness of 1.1 mm.
• Base: an ultra-fine fiber nonwoven backing.
• Surface: leather grain, embossed, printed and matte finishes, with custom embossing and colors.
• Order terms: the page lists 500 m per color in its specification table and 800 m per color in its FAQ, and lead times of 10–15 days for standard items and 15–25 days for custom items after sample approval. Confirm per project.

The page does not describe a suede nap, so a suede-look surface should be raised as a custom development request and approved on a sample. For clothing uses, see the garment leather page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom line

Suede leatherette is a description, not a specification. Microfiber suede and other faux suedes differ in base, surface and testing, so define the construction, approve a sample and request test data for the exact material before ordering.