What it does
A fitted insert that drops into an existing tray or safe drawer, turning a plain surface into seats for specific pieces.
Leather on a tray insert, specifically
Hide inserts suit trays holding watches and hard goods. For polished jewellery, a softer facing over the hide protects better.
Getting the proportion right
The insert is cut to the tray, so the tray dimensions come first. A standard insert in a non-standard tray leaves gaps where pieces travel.
How leather is applied to a display form
Hide is cut, skived at the edges and wrapped, and grain varies from panel to panel. On a set of risers we cut every piece from the same hide so the set matches, and we say so on the drawing.
Where it is used
Safe drawers, counter trays and existing display furniture.
Leather under case lighting
Hide reflects softly and unevenly, which is what makes it look expensive and what makes it hard to photograph. It also darkens where it is handled, so an open-counter display in hide develops a patina rather than staying new.
The mistake to avoid
Inserts for safe drawers have to allow for the drawer runner clearance, which is easy to forget when measuring the opening.
Why leather
Leather-covered display carries the grain and the slight colour variation of hide. On a counter it reads as furniture rather than as a prop, and it ages with the shop rather than staying new.
Keep out of direct window sun, which lightens hide unevenly. A conditioner once a year on a piece that stays on show.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Height and footprint | The insert is cut to the tray, so the tray dimensions come first. |
| Leather colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Leather on this form | Hide inserts suit trays holding watches and hard goods. |
Frequently asked questions
Can tray inserts be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the leather is matched to a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, and confirmed on a sample.
What sizes do tray inserts come in?
They are made to your dimensions. The insert is cut to the tray, so the tray dimensions come first. A standard insert in a non-standard tray leaves gaps where pieces travel.
Is leather a good choice for a tray insert?
Hide inserts suit trays holding watches and hard goods. For polished jewellery, a softer facing over the hide protects better.
What goes wrong most often with tray inserts?
Inserts for safe drawers have to allow for the drawer runner clearance, which is easy to forget when measuring the opening.
Can tray inserts be made to match our boxes?
Yes — the same leather and the same colour across boxes and display, ordered in one run.
Specify your tray inserts
Tell us your case or window height, what the tray inserts have to show, and your brand colour. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.