Profession colour sampling technician

Colour sampling technicians prepare recipes of colours and dyeing mixes. They ensure consistency in colour while using materials from different sources.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Test leather chemistry

  Set of tests that describe chemical features of leather. They include pH and content of specific substances.

• Leather chemistry

  Chemical composition and chemical properties of hide/skin and chemicals used and their modification during the different tanning processes. Reactions between hide/skin or semi-finished leather and chemical products during the different phases of process and the factors affecting the performance of the reactions and of the process. Monitoring of the chemical indicators of processing and the characteristics of skins/hides/leather.

• Leather colour chemistry

  Understand colour chemistry, the application and behaviour of dyes and colouring materials in relation to leather.

• Source colour chemicals

  Full range of available dyes and colours chemicals suitable for leather and where to source them.

• Characteristics of chemicals used for tanning

  Composition and physico-chemical properties of auxiliary chemicals used in the different tanning processes (tanning agents, fat liquors, pigments, dyes, etc.)

• Leather technology

  Subject that includes traditional and advanced technologies of tanning processes, including machinery, service plants and other supporting equipment like moving or dosing systems.

• Physico-chemical properties of crust leather

  The properties, physical and chemical, of intermediate leather products that have already undergone tanning operations. These properties vary depending on the animal of origin and previous manufacturing processes.

• Leather finishing technologies

  Equipment, technologies and techniques for coating and laminating finishing of leather according to product specification. Topics include surface preparation, equipment types, preparation of substrata, operation monitoring and applications related to different types of finishing, coatings and final articles.

Skills

• Seek innovation in current practices

  Search for improvements and present innovative solutions, creativity and alternative thinking to develop new technologies, methods or ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

• Work in textile manufacturing teams

  Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.

• Create solutions to problems

  Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.

• Adapt to changing situations

  Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.

• Prepare colour mixtures

  Prepare colour mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved.

• Differentiate nuance of colours

  The talent to analyse, mix and match colours. Be able to pass a colour acuity test.

• Execute working instructions

  Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.

• Identify with the company's goals

  Act for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.

• Think analytically

  Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Manage supplies

  Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with demand of production and customer.

• Manage environmental impact of operations

  Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.

• Apply colouring recipes correctly

  Prepare colour and other chemical mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved. Interpreting and applying the instructions, including technical and operational details for the execution of processes.

• Use color matching techniques

  Apply specific techniques in order to match different colours.

• Develop manufacturing recipes

  Describe in detail the set of activities necessary for the proper operation and management of processes (amount of chemical products, planning of timing and processing, monitoring). 

• Test chemical auxiliaries

  Conduct analysis to characterise the content of the mixtures of chemical auxiliaries. These include the determination of the water content, the amount of active principles declared, looking for potential hazards, etc.

• Exert a goal-oriented leadership role towards colleagues

  Embrace a leadership role in the organisation and with colleagues as to provide coaching and direction to subordinates aiming at the achievement of specific objectives.

• Use communication techniques

  Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB