How to find a sample of your colour
If you’d like to use our Custom Colour Mixing Service you'll need to send us a sample to match.
sample quality
Your sample must be:
- a minimum of 10cm x 10cm in any shape
- a good representative of the area you intend to treat. If your leather is stained or soiled, a new sample may be much cleaner, lighter and brighter than the area you intend to treat.
- a single colour (not bi or tri-tone)
where to find a sample
1) Ask the manufacturer or retailer
Call the maker or drop into the store and ask if they can supply a colour swatch. Some may have samples they can post to you.
2) Cut a piece from the underside
Turn a chair onto its side and remove a few staples from the dust cover at the base. Look under the dust cover to see if there is a margin of leather to the inside of the staples. If there is, carefully cut the largest possible section (we need at least 5cm x 5cm in any shape) then restaple the dust cover back into position. Also, check inside zippered cushions for a large seam allowance or swatch.
3) A detachable component
You can’t send us a sofa or car in the post but you can send a cushion cover or a detachable headrest or footrest. In cars, look for plastic parts that are the same colour as the leather seats (not as accurate as a leather sample) or consider sending the headrest. Also, check under the seats for excess material from which to cut a sample. Although it is rare for parcels to be lost, we strongly recommend you fully insure your shipment for replacement value. Return postage will be payable by you.
4) Buy a scatter cushion
If your colour is still current, you may be able to purchase a scatter cushion from the retailer.
5) The sample provided with your receipt
In the past, retailers provided a leather swatch along with the bag or couch. Find your original receipt and you may just find the sample. Alternatively, samples are sometimes stitched into the lounge under the seat cushions. If the cushions are loose, lift them to see if there’s a sample hiding there.
6) Ask a leather merchant
In most major cities there are leather merchants and wholesalers that supply leather to trades and consumers for upholstery, craft, shoe-making, accessories and a myriad of other purposes. It may be worth running your colour specifications by them to see if they can provide you with a useful off-cut.
7) A matching Dulux colour
From the enormous range of Dulux colours, look for the one that matches your leather colour. Email the name of the colour (and the code if you have it). If you find the colour you need in another brand, send us 3 swatches in the post. This method is not as accurate as a leather sample.
OEM colour codes cannot be used
OEM codes, manufacturer colour names and serial numbers are of no use as our range of colours is unique to Leather Hero. We do not have the formulas for the many thousands of colours used in the leather market place over the years.