Trimming & Crust Selection is the final stage in the beam house process where dried leather is refined, excess edges are removed, and each piece is carefully evaluated and categorized for quality. This crucial step ensures consistency and readiness for finishing or sale.
After drying and toggling, the leather still contains uneven edges, minor imperfections, or remnants from previous stages. In the trimming process, these irregular sections are cut away using precision tools, enhancing the hide’s appearance and shape. The goal is to prepare a clean, uniform outline that meets specific size and design requirements. Trimming also helps prevent waste during the cutting or crafting of final leather goods.
Once the hides are trimmed, they undergo crust selection, a quality grading procedure. At this stage, trained technicians examine each piece for color consistency, softness, surface uniformity, grain quality, and absence of defects like scars or stains. Based on these factors, hides are categorized into different grades, which determine their suitability for various applications—ranging from high-end fashion accessories to industrial leather goods.
Crust selection is an essential process for quality control and inventory management. It ensures that only the best hides proceed to finishing, while others are routed to products that match their grade. This careful assessment supports a more efficient manufacturing process, minimizes waste, and ensures that finished products meet market expectations for quality and performance.
Key highlights of the trimming & crust selection process include:
- Removal of excess and uneven edges for a cleaner final shape
- Manual inspection of dried leather (crust) for grading and quality
- Evaluation based on softness, texture, grain, and imperfections
- Sorting hides into grades suited for various product types
- Ensures consistency and quality in finished leather goods
