Leather paint is an acrylic-based paint that has been specially formulated to adhere to and color the soft surface of leather. These paints can be used on a wide variety of surfaces besides leather, too. Finished leather surfaces need to be carefully prepared-the surface finish removed- so that the paint will be able to stick.

Leather paints differ from other acrylic paints because they are flexible and less likely to crack, chip or flake. They differ from leather dyes in that the dyes actually penetrate the leather, while the paint sits on the surface. Dye might be a good solution if you want to have your leather—especially unfinished leather—be one solid color. But if you want to create a design or cover a whole couch, leather paint will work better.