Description
Saphir Teinture Française – 01 Black – a deep, penetrating dye for suede and smooth leather
Saphir Teinture Française is a professional-grade penetrating dye that colours right into the leather rather than sitting on top of it. That’s what makes it such a favourite among cobblers and shoe-care enthusiasts — the colour looks natural and lasts.
This alcohol-based dye works on both smooth leather and suede or nubuck, which is unusual and incredibly handy. Shade 01 Black is the go-to for refreshing black shoes, boots and accessories that have faded to a tired grey.
It’s designed to darken leather, so it’s ideal for taking a lighter or faded shade back to a deep, even black. The handy applicator makes it easy to work the dye in evenly.
As a penetrating leather dye rather than a surface paint, it’s the choice of cobblers who want colour that looks and behaves like part of the leather itself. That’s why it has earned such a loyal following among people who take real pride in their shoes.
Why choose Saphir Teinture Française?
- Penetrating colour – the dye soaks into the leather for a natural, long-lasting result rather than a surface film.
- Works on suede and smooth leather – one bottle covers both — perfect for a mixed wardrobe.
- Rich, even black – restores faded black shoes to a deep, uniform colour.
- Fully intermixable – Saphir dyes can be blended, so you can create your own custom shades.
- Trusted French quality – Saphir is a benchmark name in premium leather care.
How to use Saphir Teinture Française
- Clean the leather first (use a decapant or cleaner on smooth leather to strip the old finish).
- Shake the bottle well and apply an even coat with the applicator pad or ball brush.
- Work the dye in evenly, following the grain and taking care around stitching and edges.
- Allow to dry, then apply a second coat if you want a deeper, more uniform colour.
- Once fully dry, finish smooth leather with cream or wax; brush suede up with a suede brush.
Haico’s expert tips
- Wear gloves — this dye is potent and will happily colour your fingers too.
- Build the colour in thin coats for the most even, natural-looking finish.
- On smooth leather, cleaning off the old finish first helps the dye penetrate properly.
- Remember it only darkens, so choose a shade equal to or darker than the current colour.
Specifications
- Volume: 50ml
- Colour: 01 Black
- Type: alcohol-based penetrating dye
- Suitable for: smooth leather, suede and nubuck
- Application: darkening only
- Brand: Saphir
If you’ve a beloved pair of black shoes or boots that have lost their depth, Teinture Française is, in my experience, the most satisfying way to bring them properly back to life.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Teinture Française on suede?
Yes — that’s one of its biggest strengths. It works on suede and nubuck as well as smooth leather, colouring deeply without leaving a heavy surface film.
Will it make a light shoe black?
It’s a darkening dye, so going from a light shade to black works well. You can’t lighten leather with it, only deepen or change to a darker tone.
Do I need anything else to use it?
The bottle includes an applicator. For smooth leather I’d also recommend a cleaner or decapant to prep the surface, and a cream or wax to finish.
How is a penetrating dye different from a leather paint?
A leather paint sits on the surface as a coloured film, whereas this penetrating leather dye soaks in and colours the fibres themselves — so the result looks more natural and won’t flake off.
Where can I buy Saphir Teinture Française in the UK?
You can order Saphir Teinture Française directly from Shoespecialist.co.uk. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, same-day dispatch when you order before 5pm, and a 60-day return policy.
Magdalena Chmielewska –
Product is heel goed en volgzaam met specificatie. In kort: het doet zijn werk!
annemie van schepdael –
Wondermiddel
annemie van schepdael –
Wondermiddel
r. brouwer –
prima kwaliteit
Karin Ruiter, de –
Super goed gelukt om het leer te verven.
C Duifhuizen –
Kleurt perfect
Michiel Brugman –
Werkt goed.
Jolanda Luthart –
Kwaliteit is super, je kan er heel mooi een paardenzadel mee verven.
Zey Turgut-Ozen –
Het geeft een oranje gloed op leer
Laurette Chalmet –
Kan het pas beoordelen als ik het gebruikt heb! Sorry
Monique Greveling –
Moest (beige) schoenen 3x verven en het zwart neigt naar donkerblauw op de schoenen. Het is ook moeilijk om geen vlekkerig resultaat te krijgen, dus reken op meerdere malen verven. Gelukkig droogt het snel en kun je er weer overheen.
Fab Brattinga –
Mooi resultaat
Erna Graaff –
Werkt goed, kreeg het gewenste resultaat.
Erna Graaff –
Werkt goed, kreeg het gewenste resultaat.
Erna Graaff –
Werkt goed, kreeg het gewenste resultaat.
JS (verified owner) –
Prima, volstaat. Mooi donker.
Ridwan M. (verified owner) –
Werkt zoals verteld en omschreven.
Sylvana Liethof-viereck (verified owner) –
Ik heb meerdere schoenen bewerkt met dit product. Je schoenen worden net als nieuw
Daniëlle de Jong (verified owner) –
Werkt erg goed. Suede slurpt alleen wel erg veel verf op. Heb voor enkel laarsjes 2 flesjes nodig.
Cornelis Stam (verified owner) –
Perfecte dekking en nauwkeurig aan te brengen
Sylvana Liethof-viereck –
werkt heel goed vaker gebruikt
Maaike van der Wel –
Laarzen zijn mooi zwart geworden
Fran –
goed resultaat
Lieven Vanden Bulcke (verified owner) –
dekt redelijk, krijgt een blauwachtige schijn – is niet “chinese inkt-zwart”, maar al bij al VEEL beter dan voordat de schoen herkleurd werd
Dominique (verified owner) –
Product zoals verwacht. Prima en zeer vlotte uitlevering
Ruth (verified owner) –
Mijn schoenen zijn weer prachtig zwart!
fuefumi (verified owner) –
Hij werkt geweldig.
Sija Poots (verified owner) –
De verf pakt uitstekend.
Ing Plas (verified owner) –
Goed product
Birgit Kaiser-Mager (verified owner) –
Die Shuhe sehen aus wie neu