11/11/2026
skai Synthetic Leather: A Practical Guide to Seven Collections
Why skai synthetic leather wins people over
Run your hand across a good seat and you know at once if it is right. It should feel soft, a little warm and never sticky. That first touch shapes how we feel about a chair, a booth or a sofa for years.
skai synthetic leather has earned that trust over decades. In many homes, the brand name even stands for the whole material. Yet today's collections are far ahead of the shiny covers of the past. They are supple, tough and tested for strict rules in care homes, hotels and on ships.
In this guide we look at seven skai® collections. You will learn what makes each one special, how to care for it and where it works best. The goal is simple: the right cover for your project, the first time.
skai synthetic leather in numbers
Four figures sum up the range. All values come from the maker's data sheets.
7
collections
almost 200
shades
up to 300,000
Martindale cycles
about 90 %
bio-based (Evida Fiber)
How skai synthetic leather is built
Every roll is a sandwich of three layers. Each one has its own job.
The backing
A knitted or woven textile sits on the reverse. It gives the cover strength and stretch. On Tovega and Toronto, this backing is made from recycled polyester.
The compact layer
On top comes a PVC layer. It makes up most of the weight. This is what keeps liquids out and gives the material its body.
The top coat
A thin lacquer seals the surface. It controls sheen, grip and stain resistance. Tovega and Toronto use a coat called staynu, which helps lift marks from pens or jeans.
Grain and hand feel
The grain is pressed into the top coat. It decides how the cover looks and how it feels under your palm. Tovega is fine and almost velvety. Toronto shows a classic furniture leather grain. Toledo has a bolder, cowhide-like pattern. Evida Fiber feels natural and slightly fibrous. Many qualities also stretch well, so they wrap neatly round arms and curved backs. Feel a sample with your fingertips before you decide.
What Martindale cycles tell you
The Martindale test rubs a sample until it shows wear. Each rub is one cycle. A home sofa fabric often reaches 30,000 cycles. The skai collections here start at 100,000 and go up to 300,000. That is why they cope so well in canteens, gyms and waiting rooms.
The seven skai collections at a glance
- Tovega EN staynu300,000
Healthcare, care homes, nurseries - Toronto EN staynu300,000
Living rooms, lounges, offices - Toledo EN200,000
Hotel rooms, shops, receptions - Parotega NF300,000
Theatres, ships, public buildings - Sotega200,000
Bars, cafés, home projects - Sotega FLS200,000
Restaurants and venues with fire rules - Evida Fiber100,000
Eco-minded interiors
The badge shows Martindale cycles as stated by the maker. Parotega NF is sometimes listed twice in catalogues, but it is one and the same product.
Choosing skai synthetic leather by sector
Start with the place, not the colour. Open the sector that fits your project.
Clinics, care homes and nurseries
Go for Tovega EN staynu. It is tested for skin contact under ISO 10993 and meets the toy safety rule EN 71-3. It also resists the cleaning agents used on wards. The fine grain feels kind to bare arms.
Hotels and hospitality
Toronto suits lobby chairs and headboards with its leather look. Toledo brings a warmer, rustic grain to rooms and receptions and carries the German quality mark RAL-GZ 430-4. For bars and dining rooms with fire rules, Sotega FLS is a strong choice.
Theatres, ships and public venues
Parotega NF holds the widest set of fire tests in the range. It covers seating in auditoriums, on cruise ships and in transport. If an inspector asks for proof, this is usually the safest pick.
Homes and DIY projects
Sotega offers the most colours and a wide 150 cm roll, which saves seams on benches. Evida Fiber is ideal if you want a natural feel and a smaller footprint. Both are easy to handle on a home sewing machine.
Quality features that matter day to day
UV and light fastness
Sunlight fades weak dyes fast. The maker rates these colours as light-fast, so a seat by a south window keeps its tone. Note that the range is made for indoor use, not for open terraces.
Easy clean with water
Most spills vanish with a soft, damp cloth. Plain water is enough. No special products are needed for daily care. That saves time and money in busy venues.
Water-repellent surface
Coffee, juice and rain beads up instead of soaking in. The foam below stays dry and fresh. Just wipe soon, so nothing runs into the seams.
Certified fire safety
Six of the seven collections hold fire test reports. Only standard Sotega does not. For contract work, this is often the deciding factor.
Fire standards explained
Fire rules differ from country to country. These are the tests you will see most often on skai data sheets:
| Standard | Region | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1021-1 / -2 | Europe | Upholstery against a smouldering cigarette and a match flame |
| BS 5852, crib 5 | UK | A tough wooden crib test for contract seating |
| EN 13501-1 B-s3,d0 | Europe | Fire class for building products |
| IMO FTPC Part 8 | Worldwide, marine | Furniture on board ships |
| DIN 4102 B1 | Germany | Low flammability |
| Classe Uno IM | Italy | Fire class for upholstered seats |
Care that protects your investment
Good care keeps the top coat intact. And an intact top coat means years of extra life.
Do
- Dust weekly with a soft dry cloth
- Wipe with lukewarm water and microfibre
- Blot spills at once, do not rub
- Use mild soap for stubborn marks
- Use only approved disinfectants in clinics
Don't
- Solvents, acetone or nail polish remover
- Scouring cream or rough sponges
- Leather oil or wax, which leaves a film
- Steam cleaners at high heat
- Coloured dye from new denim left to sit
Why buy skai synthetic leather from ProjectLeather
- By the metre: Order exactly what your piece needs. No full rolls, no waste.
- Full choice: Hygiene, fire safety, bold colour or bio-based content. All seven collections under one roof.
- Clear data: Rub count, thickness and care facts for every quality.
- Expert advice: We help trade buyers and home sewers match the cover to the rules.
- Easy reorders: Need more for repairs or a matching piece? Simply order again.
Colours and embossing for every style
Across all collections you can pick from almost 200 shades. Think snow white and pebble grey, deep teal, plum, wine red and jet black. Sotega leads with 45 tones, Parotega NF follows with 40.
| Collection | Shades | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Sotega / Sotega FLS | 45 | Bright and versatile |
| Parotega NF | 40 | Contract classics |
| Tovega EN staynu | 38 | Soft and calm |
| Toronto EN staynu | 38 | Leather look |
| Toledo EN | 18 | Rustic grain |
| Evida Fiber | 17 | Earthy tones |
Embossing adds depth
Every grain is an embossed pattern. It catches light, hides small scuffs and gives the surface life. For walls, headboards or statement chairs, embossed designer leathers with bolder reliefs are also part of our range.
Sustainable by design: reupholster, don't replace
The greenest chair is the one you already own. A good frame can last for decades. When the cover wears out, a new one gives it a second life. That keeps wood, metal and foam out of landfill.
The materials are moving forward too. Most skai collections are phthalate-free, and many meet the EU REACH rules. Several carry PETA's vegan mark. Tovega and Toronto use recycled polyester on the back. Evida Fiber goes furthest, with roughly nine tenths of its raw materials from renewable sources. That is eco-friendly production you can feel.
Synthetic or real leather?
We hear this question a lot. Both have their place. The right answer depends on how the piece will be used.
| Point | skai synthetic leather | Real leather |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Even across the whole roll | Natural marks and shade shifts |
| Cleaning | Water, mild soap, approved disinfectants | Special cleaners and regular conditioning |
| Fire tests | Many contract tests on file | Depends on the tannery and finish |
| Ageing | Looks the same for years | Builds a patina over time |
| Animal-free | Yes, several with a vegan mark | No |
For busy public spaces, synthetic leather is often the more practical pick. For a private armchair that should age with you, real leather has its own charm.
Workshop tips for working with skai
- Hold pieces with clips, not pins. Every hole stays visible.
- Use a leather needle and a stitch length of 3 to 4 mm.
- A roller or Teflon foot stops the top coat from sticking.
- Warm the material with a hairdryer before you pull it round curves.
- Staple on the reverse in short steps and keep the tension even.
Quick answers
Can I use skai synthetic leather outdoors?
Not for full exposure. These collections are made for indoor rooms. A covered porch or a conservatory can work, but frost and long rain will age the surface.
Which thickness should I choose?
For most chairs and benches, 1.25 to 1.3 mm is ideal. Heavy-use seats in bars may suit the thicker Sotega. For tight curves, the lighter Evida Fiber is easy to shape.
Is skai synthetic leather vegan?
No animal parts are used in the material. Several collections, including Evida Fiber, are also certified as vegan by PETA. Check the data sheet if you need the label for your client.
How do I see the colours for real?
Screens never show a shade quite right. Ask us for samples of the colours you like. Then place them in the room itself, beside the floor and the furniture. Look again in the evening, when the lamps are on.
Conclusion: skai synthetic leather for lasting projects
From the clinic to the cocktail bar, there is a skai collection for nearly every task. Check the rub count, the feel and the fire rules where you live. Then pick the colour you love.
Not sure which one to choose? Ask us for samples and compare them in your own light. Our team is happy to help. Tell us about the room, the use and any fire rules, and we will suggest a shortlist.
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