Veneer leaves can be arranged in several different ways to achieve certain visual effects. These are the most common ways to match veneer leaves from a flitch..

Book Matching

Book matching, the most commonly used match in the industry, is achieved by turning over every other piece of veneer so adjacent pieces or leaves are opened like pages of a book. Because the joints match, a mirrored symmetrical pattern is created. This yields maximum continuity of grain.

Book matching can be done with plain, quarter, or rift-sawn veneers. Because the faces alternate, this makes them reflect light and accept stain differently. This may yield a noticeable color variation in some species or flitches.

Slip Matching

Slip matching often is used with quarter-sliced and rift-sliced veneers. Adjoining leaves are placed in sequence without turning them over, resulting in all the same face sides being exposed. As a result, the grain figure repeats, but the joints don't show grain match.

The lack of grain match at the joints can be desirable. In the picture below, a non-straight grain pattern is shown, and depending on the results but usually the relatively straight grain patterns of quartered and rift veneers generally produce better results. It is also easier to achieve a uniform color because all faces have the same light reflection..

Random Matching

In random matching veneer leaves are placed next to each other in a random order and orientation. The randomly matched veneers gives a casual or rustic appearance, as though individual boards from a random pile were applied to the product. Conscious effort is made to mismatch the grain at joints.

End Matching

End matching often is used to extend the apparent length of available veneers for high wall panels and long conference tables. End matching can be done in two ways: architectural end match and panel end match.

Architectural end match leaves are individually book or slip matched, first end-to-end and then side-to-side, alternating end and side. This yields the best continuous grain patterns for length as well as width.

Panel end match leaves are book or slip matched on panel subassemblies, with sequenced subassemblies end matched, resulting in some modest cost savings on projects where applicable. For most species, panel end matching yields a pleasing, blended appearance and grain continuity.

Home | Resources | News | Magazines | Contests

Articles | Shows | About | Contact | Site Map