What Is the Role of Base Fabric in Synthetic Leather?

People often focus on the surface and forget what’s underneath.But without the right base, even the best top layer can fall flat—or fall apart.Understand how the base fabric supports, strengthens, and shapes synthetic leather.

The base fabric provides structure and durability, affecting stretch, grip, and the final feel of synthetic leather.

Think of the base fabric as the skeleton of synthetic leather—it holds everything together. It’s what makes the leather bend without breaking, stretch without tearing, and stick without peeling. A solid base = a solid product. Whether you need soft and drapey or thick and firm, the base fabric calls the shots.

What Are the Common Types of Base Fabrics Used in Synthetic Leather?

All fabrics are not created equal.
Pick the wrong one, and your leather could end up saggy, scratchy, or totally uncooperative.
Meet the top three base fabrics used in synthetic leather and what they’re good for.

Synthetic leather commonly uses non-woven, woven, or knitted fabric—each with its own benefits and best uses.

• Non-woven Fabric:Cheap, smooth, easy to coat. Great for shoe linings or disposable items. Not super strong, but super affordable.

      Advantages:

  1. Soft and Plush Texture
     Its 3D fiber network creates a soft, fluffy feel—more like natural leather—eliminating the stiffness of woven fabrics and making products more comfortable to wear or touch.

  2. Breathable and Moisture-Wicking
     The porous structure allows air to flow and moisture to escape, solving the stuffy feel of traditional PVC/PU leather—ideal for shoes, furniture, and other ventilated applications.

  3. Highly Adaptable in Production
     Non-wovens can be fine-tuned in thickness and density using needle-punch or spunlace methods. Their surface bonds easily with PU resin, ensuring strong adhesion between base and coating.

  4. Lightweight and Cost-Effective
     With no spinning or weaving steps, production is faster and cheaper. At just 30–150g/㎡, non-wovens reduce both material use and product weight—perfect for modern efficiency needs.

  5. Customizable Mechanical Properties
     By adjusting fiber blends (like polyester/nylon) or reinforcing with mesh, the fabric can be engineered for better tear strength and stability—great for demanding uses like automotive interiors.

     Disadvantages:

     1. Lower Initial Strength

     Without reinforcement, base strength may not match woven fabric—may not be ideal for heavy-duty products without additional treatment.

     2.Surface Uniformity Can Vary

     Compared to woven fabrics, the surface may appear less smooth, which can affect coating uniformity—requires more coating control in high-finish products.

     3.Limited Elasticity

     Generally lacks stretch, which can limit use in products requiring high flexibility (e.g., sports shoes or tight-fitting clothing).

     

• Woven Fabric: Think of it as the “tough guy.” It’s durable, holds shape well, and is great for furniture or bags that need structure.

  Advantages:

  1. High Strength and Dimensional Stability

     • Interlaced warp and weft yarns provide excellent tensile and tear resistance. Ideal for heavy-duty applications like shoes and bags.

     • Holds its shape well during processing such as coating or embossing.

  2. Smooth Surface for Strong Coating Adhesion

     • Even and flat texture allows PU/PVC coatings to apply uniformly, creating a clean and refined finish—great for smooth-grain leather looks.

  3. Heat and Chemical Resistance

     • Polyester or nylon woven fabrics can withstand high-temperature lamination and resist resin penetration, reducing stiffening issues.

  Disadvantages:

  1. Low Flexibility and Stiff Hand Feel

     • Poor stretch, prone to creasing when bent. Not ideal for soft-touch applications like furniture or garment leather.

  2. Poor Breathability

     • Dense structure restricts airflow, leading to stuffiness unless compensated by microporous coatings.

  3. Heavier Weight

     • Generally higher GSM compared to non-woven fabrics, which increases cost and limits lightweight design.

• Knitted Fabric: Soft, stretchy, and cozy. Ideal for wearables like gloves, jackets, or anything that needs a little give.

  Advantages:

  1. High Elasticity and Flexibility

     • Loop-based structure offers excellent stretch in all directions—perfect for athletic shoes and stretchy garments.

  2. Lightweight and Breathable

     • Porous design improves airflow and wearing comfort, ideal for high-end sneakers or medical leather uses.

  3. Good Formability for Complex Surfaces

     • Conforms easily to 3D molds, making it suitable for curved or detailed shapes (like automotive interiors).                                 

             Disadvantages:

           1. Low Structural Stability

               Easily deforms during processing, prone to shrinkage or curling—requires extra stabilization treatments.

            2. Lower Strength

                Less tear-resistant than woven or non-woven; may need reinforcing layers in load-bearing applications.

             3. Uneven Surface Texture

                 Loop patterns may interfere with even coating, affecting finish quality—requires precise coating control.

Each type has its vibe—and its job.

📊 Comparison Table: Non-Woven vs. Woven vs. Knitted Fabrics as Synthetic Leather Base

How to Match Base Fabric Type with Product Applications?

Just because it works for shoes doesn’t mean it works for sofas.Agitation: Wrong match = waste of money, complaints, and reorders. No fun.

Use the right fabric for the right job.

Match fabric type to product needs—woven for furniture, knitted for garments, non-woven for cost-saving or flexible applications.

Furniture Upholstery: Go for woven—it’s strong and structured.

Fashion Accessories: Woven or knitted, depending on whether you want structure or stretch.

Shoes: Non-woven or knitted for comfort and flexibility.

Car Interiors: Woven or laminated options to survive sunlight, pressure, and spills.

Fit the base to the job, and your leather lasts longer—and so does your reputation.

What Factors Should Be Considered When Selecting Base Fabric?

 It’s not just about texture.
Ignore key specs, and you could face peeling, cracking, or poor bonding later on.
Look at the full checklist: strength, thickness, budget, and beyond.

Choose fabric based on stretch, weight, thickness, bonding performance, and the end-use environment.

Here’s your checklist:

• Strength & Stretch: How much movement will it face? Furniture = low stretch; clothing = high stretch.

• Thickness: Thicker base adds weight and stiffness. Pick what your product needs.

• Compatibility with Coating: Some fabrics bond better with PU, others with PVC.

• Look & Feel: Want it soft and flexible or tough and firm? Start at the base.

• Budget: The fancier the fabric, the higher the price tag.

Make your fabric work for you—not the other way around.

Choosing the right base fabric is the secret sauce behind great synthetic leather. Whether you’re crafting sofas or sneakers, picking the right “foundation” ensures better quality, fewer headaches, and happier customers.