Working with Your Tannery

Effective tannery coordination is one of the biggest factors in your overall turnaround time. Here is how to manage it well.

Before Shipping:

Properly flesh and salt hides before shipping - poor prep causes delays and rejections

Use non-iodized salt and apply generously to the flesh side

Ship frozen with cold packs in insulated packaging

Include a packing slip with your shop name, specimen IDs, and contact info

Tracking Shipments:

Log every shipment in MountChief under Dashboard > Tannery

Record the tracking number, date shipped, and expected return date

Set reminders to follow up if hides are not returned within the expected window

Turnaround Expectations:

Standard processing: 12-20 weeks depending on hide type and tannery workload

Peak season (November-March): add 4-8 weeks to standard estimates

Rush services: 6-8 weeks, typically at a 50-100% premium

Quality Control:

Inspect every returned hide before starting mount work

Check for drumming, thin spots, and proper stretch

Contact the tannery immediately if there are issues - most offer rework policies