BOOK BATCHED is the most common form of veneer matching. This is accomplished by turning over every other veneer component before they are spliced together. Book matching creates a mirror image at the splice line so that the grain pattern flows across the face of the panel. The grain pattern is aesthetically pleasing but there is a down side. By turning over every other veneer both the "tight" side and "loose" side are utilized to make the face of each panel.

The faces of the leaves of veneers with relationship to their position in the log are identified as the "tight" face (toward the outside of the log) end the "loose" face (toward the inside of the log). During slicing, the leaf is stressed on the "loose" face and compressed on the "tight" face.

As illustrated, the veneer slicing action results in small fractures called knife or lathe checks that are produced at regular intervals on the "loose" side. When Book matched in the face of the panel, the "loose" side absorbs stain (Like a sponge) much more than the "tight" side of the veneer. NOTE: With a dark wood stain, this appearance is stripped...like the colors of a Zebra.

Washcoats are necessary when applying a wood finish to sliced, book matched plywood faces. Washcoats are a thin solution applied as a barrier coat to wood. They are used prior to wiping stains for color uniformity.

Shellac washcoats help finishes adhere to resin secreting woods...especially the species of Pine and Spanish Cedar, and Teak which contain oils or other extractive material which may migrate to the surface after sanding.

A properly prepared wash coat usually will allow uniform finishes. Please consult your wood finish dealer for proper finishing procedures.

Rift and Quarter Sliced Veneers Should Be "Tight" Side Out to Accomplish Uniform Finishing and are Termed Slip Match/Tight Side Out (SMTSO).