Profession leather goods finishing operator

Leather goods finishing operators organise leather goods products to be finished applying different types of finishing (e.g. creamy, oily, waxy, polishing, plastic-coated, etc.). They use tools, means and materials to incorporate the handles and metallic applications in bags, suitcases, and other accessories. They study the sequence of operations according to the information received from the supervisor and from the technical sheet of the model. They apply techniques for ironing, creaming or oiling, for the application of liquids for waterproofing, leather washing, cleaning, polishing, waxing, brushing, burning tips, remotion of glue waste, and painting the tops following technical specifications. They also check visually the quality of the finished by paying close attention to the absence of wrinkles, straight seams, and cleanliness. They correct anomalies or defects that can be solved by finishing and reported to the supervisor.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Leather goods quality

    The quality specifications of materials, processes, and final products, the most common defects in leather, quick tests procedures, laboratory tests procedures and standards, and the adequate equipment for quality checks. 

  • Leather goods components

    The various procedures and methods in the processing of leather materials and leather goods components like manufacturability and properties.  

  • Leather goods materials

    The wide range of materials used in leather goods production: leather, leather substitutes (synthetics or artificial materials), textile, etc; the way of distinguishing among various materials based on their properties, advantages and limitations.

  • Leather goods manufacturing processes

    The processes, technology and machinery involved in the leather goods manufacturing.  

Skills

  • Apply footwear finishing techniques

    Apply various chemical and mechanical finishing procedures to footwear by performing manual or machine operations, with or without chemicals, such as heel and sole roughing, dying, bottom polishing, cold or hot wax burnishing, cleaning, removing tacks, inserting socks, hot air treeing for removing wrinkles, and cream, spray or antique dressing. Work both manually and use the equipment and machines, and adjust working parameters.

  • Apply basic rules of maintenance to leather goods and footwear machinery

    Apply basic rules of maintenance and cleanliness on footwear and leather goods production equipment and machines that you operate.

Optional knowledge and skills

use communication techniques reduce environmental impact of footwear manufacturing use it tools

Source: Sisyphus ODB