Suede is also a split leather, however, after the top grain surface has been removed, the under piece is buffed up to give the soft nap that is so characteristic of suede. Both top grain and split leathers may be legally marketed as genuine leather. Suede leathers are finished by buffing the flesh side, back of the grain side to produce a nap. The napping process is the process of raising fibers on the grain side of a hide or skin to give a velvet nap effect. This is generally called "nubuck" or "grain suede."

Sometimes people find they have a piece of suede, but it is the wrong color. The truth is, coloring suede usually occurs within the tanning process, not so much as an afterthought. Although you can change the color of a suede with dye, it doesn't always work out well, because the nap has a great tendency to shed any excess dye causing it to easily rub off on other objects. Also, since suede has a nap, rather than a smooth surface finish, its not possible to put a coating of leather finish or "sealer" on it.