LEATHER
Goat and Sheep Leather, Supplied in Natural Crust State
Karim Tanneries' two core materials are goat and sheep leather, produced in Gujranwala, Pakistan through mimosa-based vegetable tanning in wooden drums. Both are supplied to professional buyers as natural crust leather, ready for buyer-specified finishing.
Goat leather typically shows a more pronounced grain, while sheep leather generally has a finer surface grain. Selection depends on the grain, body and handle of the individual piece, together with the buyer's own intended application and the finish they plan to apply afterward—not grain alone.
goat leather
Two Materials, Distinct Characteristics
MATERIAL SELECTION
sheep leather
What Grain, Body and Handle Reveal
READING THE MATERIAL
Assessing Karim Tanneries' natural crust goat and sheep leather means looking and feeling together. Grain is the leather's outer surface, carrying a characteristic pattern that includes visible follicle openings. Good light reveals its texture, natural markings and variation; handling the piece adds what sight alone cannot.
Body is the sense of fullness and substance in the leather — not thickness alone. Handle is the overall impression when it's touched and flexed: softness, suppleness, surface feel. Sample Requests lets buyers assess all three directly, before exploring the dyeing, finishing or application they have in mind.
SUPPLY STATE
Natural crust leather
Karim Tanneries supplies goat and sheep leather in natural crust state—tanned, retanned, fatliquored and dried, while remaining undyed and without surface finishing.
From this undyed, unfinished starting point, buyers can specify their own preparation, dyeing or finishing, suited to the selected material and intended application.
SUPPLYING JAPAN
Leather Buyer Relationships in Japan, Built Over Several Years
Karim Tanneries has supplied vegetable-tanned goat and sheep leather in natural crust state to professional buyers in Japan over several years, forming part of the tannery's broader decades of production experience.
The tannery works directly with each buyer to discuss material selection and intended application. Japan is currently the tannery's priority market, and inquiries from buyers worldwide are equally welcome.
Grades 1–3
Tier 1
Tier 1 contains the highest grades in the system: Grades 1, 2 and 3. Grade 1 is the highest individual grade.
Grades 4–6
Tier 2
Tier 2 contains the middle grades in the system: Grades 4, 5 and 6. It sits between the upper and lower tiers.
Grades 7–9
Tier 3
Tier 3 contains the lowest grades in the system: Grades 7, 8 and 9. Grade 9 is the lowest individual grade.
Leather GRADING
Karim Tanneries' Own 9-Grade System
Karim Tanneries groups its vegetable-tanned goat and sheep leather in natural crust state into 3 tiers within its own 9-grade system. Buyers may request a specific tier or individual grade when requesting samples or placing an order.
SAMPLE REQUESTS
Assess the Leather Before Ordering
Buyers can request physical samples of goat or sheep leather before placing an order. Supplied in natural crust state—undyed and without surface finishing—the samples allow buyers to assess grain, body and handle directly and trial their intended dyeing, finishing or application.
For samples or full orders, specify the material, quantity, intended application and preferred tier—the group of grades—in your inquiry. Sample charges depend on the requested material and quantity; buyers normally pay for larger sample quantities, with charges confirmed during the inquiry.
Application Pathways
From leather goods and footwear uppers to upholstery, interiors and garment development, each application calls for material selection and trials suited to the intended product's requirements.
SURFACE DEVELOPMENT & APPLICATIONS
Beyond natural crust leather
Surface Development
Buyers can develop colour, finish and texture through their own downstream processing. Possibilities include aniline or semi-aniline finishes, wax treatments and embossing, depending on the selected leather and intended use.
EXPLORE KARIM TANNERIEs
The Knowledge Behind the Leather
Vegetable Tanning
Three-stage vegetable tannage in wooden drums: pretanning, principal tanning and retanning.
Surface Development & Applications
Material handling guidance, plus buyer-led dyeing, finishing and trials to assess natural crust leather for its intended use.
Heritage
Five generations of family history, tannery operations since 1960 and the people leading Karim Tanneries today.
Production & Quality
From raw-material selection to natural crust preparation, inspection, grading and storage, followed by individual measurement and packing after order confirmation.
Explore
Tannery to Design
Tanbark, Karim Tanneries' design brand for interiors: hair-on rugs, engraved calligraphy, artwork and custom work.
Resources
Materials and processes, buyer-led development and Tanbark design, company and family history, buying and sourcing, plus photographs inside the tannery.
