Description
Saphir Teinture Française Fauve (Tan) – a deep, permanent dye for smooth leather and suede
When you want to change or refresh the colour of your leather goods for good, the Saphir Teinture Française leather dye is the professional choice I trust. This alcohol-based dye penetrates deep into the material rather than just sitting on the surface, so the colour becomes part of the leather itself.
Unlike many dyes, Teinture Française works beautifully on both smooth leather and suede, which makes it wonderfully versatile. The warm Fauve (Tan) shade (019) is a lovely natural mid-tan, perfect for reviving faded boots or giving lighter shoes a richer, deeper look.
The handy ball applicator on the bottle makes it easy to spread the dye evenly, and because all the shades are fully mixable, you can even blend your own bespoke colour at home.
One important thing to know: this is a penetrating dye designed to take leather from light to dark, so it is perfect for darkening but cannot lighten an existing colour. I always love helping customers get this right, so read on for my tips.
Why choose Saphir Teinture Française leather dye?
- Penetrates deeply: the alcohol base carries the pigment into the leather so the colour is permanent and long-lasting.
- For leather and suede: one dye that works on smooth leather, suede and nubuck, giving you real flexibility.
- Fully mixable shades: blend the base colours together to create your own perfect custom tone.
- Easy ball applicator: the built-in dauber spreads the dye smoothly and evenly with less mess.
- Revives and transforms: refresh a faded pair or completely change the look of your shoes, bags or boots.
- Trusted French quality: Saphir has been making premium leather care in France for over a century.
How to use Saphir Teinture Française leather dye
Dyeing leather is easier than you might expect when you follow the right steps. Here is how I recommend using Teinture Française for a flawless finish.
- Clean the leather thoroughly and, for smooth leather, use a leather stripper first to remove old wax and finishes so the dye can penetrate.
- Protect your workspace and wear gloves, as this dye is strong and will colour skin and surfaces.
- Apply a thin, even coat with the ball applicator, working in one direction across the whole item.
- Let it dry fully, then build up further thin coats until you reach the depth of colour you want.
- Once dry, finish smooth leather with a matching Saphir cream or wax polish to seal and shine the surface.
Specifications
- Volume: 50ml
- Colour: Fauve / Tan (019)
- Type: Penetrating alcohol-based leather and suede dye
- Suitable for: Smooth leather, suede and nubuck
- Note: Darkens only (light to dark); shades are mixable
- Brand: Saphir
For a permanent, professional colour change at home, the Saphir Teinture Française leather dye is hard to beat. Order your bottle from Shoespecialist.co.uk today and enjoy free UK delivery on orders over £50.
A tip from me
Always test the dye on a hidden area first and build the colour up in thin layers. It is far easier to go a shade darker with an extra coat than to undo a colour that has gone too deep in one go.
Frequently asked questions
Can Teinture Française lighten my leather?
No. It is a penetrating dye designed to take leather from light to dark, so it can darken or change a colour but cannot make leather lighter. If you need to go lighter, the surface would need to be stripped and rebuilt first.
Do I need to finish smooth leather after dyeing?
Yes, on smooth leather I recommend sealing with a matching Saphir shoe cream or wax polish once the dye is dry. This protects the colour and restores a natural shine. Suede does not need a wax finish.
Will it work on synthetic or coated leather?
Teinture Française works best on natural, absorbent leather and suede. Heavily coated or synthetic materials will not absorb it well, so for those a surface spray paint is a better choice.
Where can I buy Saphir Teinture Française leather dye in the UK?
You can order Saphir Teinture Française leather dye 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, so you can shop with complete peace of mind.



















Ella André –
Colour was much more orange and therefore not suitable for the clothing it had to match
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Rosalinde Bakker –
Great, nice that there’s dye for suede shoes
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Monique Pouwels –
Dye covers well. Colour leans slightly towards orange
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marjan stouthart –
Still creasing in the folds, now have to order extra dye to repair it.
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Carlos Carrillo (verified owner) –
Aaaaaaaaaaa
marjan stouthart (verified owner) –
This didn’t work for me because I needed an opaque dye, which doesn’t mean the dye isn’t good.
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LB (verified owner) –
reliable brand
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Laurence C. (verified owner) –
Just what I was looking for
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Ans (verified owner) –
Clear description.
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Cynthia Lafaire (verified owner) –
Good coverage
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