Firstly, the bamboo stem is cut into strips.
In order to create a darker color (caramel), the strips can get a carbonisation treatment (steam/cook process). The raw strips are then planed to smoothen the strips (W x T: 20x5mm). The strips are then pressed together to a block. From this block the veneer sheet are sliced.

If the strips are pressed together like in the picture, the result will be a veneer with a very narrow line pattern, only slightly showing the bamboo nodes (which were once the rings in the bamboo stem). This structure is called “side pressed”.
Alternatively the strips can be pressed horizontally; this is called “plain pressed”. The resulting veneer shows a wider line pattern with visible nodes.

After cutting the veneer sheets, the veneer is dried and selected. All selected veneer is being backed, to prevent the material from cracking during handling. The customer can choose from different backings or without backing. A cellulose backing is compatible with any commonly used glue/ press system. Alternatively a paper backing can be applied. All sheets with defects are selected out and are cut to new, smaller sizes. The smaller sizes are then joined to regular sizes. After color selection the material is packed.

This way of working results in 100% A-quality output.