FURNOVA :: Dressing and Dyeing

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06 Dressing and Dyeing

From the auction houses, collectors or merchants, the skins are sent to dressing and dyeing companies. The dressing process covers cleaning, softening, preserving and drying the pelts.

Today, all fur types can be dyed to create vibrant fashion colors, from conventional dark to very light pastel shades. Furs can also be tip-dyed or blended to produce a more consistent color. In addition to solid color, new techniques mean that the opportunities to create patterns and special effects are endless.

The skins are then graded into color, size, length of hair and texture before being sent to the manufacturer.
The pattern of fur skin dressing and dyeing continues with very little change in technique.

Flow chart of fur dressing

Today’s fur dressing comprises the following steps:

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1. Soaking or Re-Hydration

Soaking of the raw fur skins is carried out in order to make them soft and have a good basis for further treatment.

2. Fleshing

This is the removal of the flesh layer, “the thin membrane of protein, which, in life, separates the skin proper from the fat layers and organs of the body.”
It is done manually or by machine, the so-called fleshing machine.

3. Washing

The dirty skins full of natural fats are cleansed.

4. Pickling

A solution of common salt, sodium chloride, and acids prepares the skins for the tanning process.

5. Tanning

The pickled skins are transformed into durable fur leather. Tanning agents provide for the best quality of smooth leather.

6. Oiling

The application of suitable fatting agents helps to give the tanned leather a permanent elasticity.

7. Drying

Excess water is removed from the skins.

8. Drumming

Special sawdust drums tumble the fur skins in order to remove excess fat from the hair and to reach an optimum degree of moisture for the leather.