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Bloodwood veneer sheet showing natural grain

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Exotic · Deep crimson

Bloodwood Veneer: Buy Bloodwood Veneer Sheets

Bloodwood, also called satine, is one of the most vividly colored woods in the world, a saturated red that looks almost unreal straight off the log. If you want bloodwood veneer sheets for a striking accent, this is genuine wood veneer worth having on hand.

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Bloodwood, also called satine, is one of the most vividly colored woods in the world, a saturated red that looks almost unreal straight off the log. If you want bloodwood veneer sheets for a striking accent, this is genuine wood veneer worth having on hand.

We cut and sell bloodwood veneer by the square foot in small, maker-friendly sizes.

What is bloodwood veneer?

Bloodwood veneer is a thin slice of real wood, Brosimum rubescens, native to Central and South America. Slicing it thin stretches one dense, richly colored tree across many sheets, so a single log covers far more surface than the same wood sawn into solid boards. Because it is genuine wood veneer, not a printed laminate, it sands, stains, and finishes exactly like the solid board it came from.

Quick facts

Species: Bloodwood or satine (Brosimum rubescens)
Origin: Central and South America
Color: Vivid, saturated red to red orange, deepening to brick red with age
Grain / figure: Fine, straight to slightly interlocked; very dense and smooth
Cut: Plain sliced
Janka hardness: About 2,900 to 3,000 lbf, one of the hardest woods available
Thickness: We stock 1/45 inch raw and thicker options
Backing: Raw, or paper backed veneer on request
Workability: Fair, its hardness makes it more brittle and prone to fine cracking than softer species
Sold: By the square foot, ready to ship

Appearance and figure

Bloodwood earns its name honestly. Freshly cut sheets show an intense, almost fluorescent red that mellows over time under light into a deep brick red, still vivid, just a little quieter than the moment it was cut. Grain is fine and straight, giving a smooth, uniform texture that lets the color carry the whole visual impact.

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Working and finishing tips

Bloodwood's density is both its appeal and its challenge. Use a genuinely sharp blade and take light, controlled cuts, the wood is brittle at this hardness and can crack rather than slice cleanly if forced. Standard wood glue or contact cement both bond it well once cut.

A clear oil or lacquer finish is standard, it protects the color without dulling the vivid red.

Honest cautions.

  • Brittle at full hardness. Bloodwood can crack or chip under stress more readily than softer exotics. Handle sheets carefully and back them with paper if a project involves any bending.
  • Color mellows with light exposure. The vivid fresh cut red settles into a deeper brick tone over months. A UV inhibiting topcoat slows the shift.
  • Best used as an accent, not a large panel. Its intensity and cost make it most effective in inlay, stripes, and small statement pieces rather than full coverage.
Honest cautions. Bloodwood's density is both its appeal and its challenge. Use a genuinely sharp blade and take light, controlled cuts, the wood is brittle at this hardness and can crack rather than slice cleanly if forced. Standard wood glue or contact cement both bond it well once cut. A clear oil or lacquer finish is standard, it protects the color without dulling the vivid red.

Best uses

  • Inlay and accent stripes. A small amount of bloodwood makes a big visual statement against paler woods.
  • Pens and knife scales. Its density and color make it a favorite for turned and small carved pieces. See Veneer for Pens & Knife Scales.
  • Boxes and marquetry. A dramatic centerpiece or border species. See Veneer for Boxes & Marquetry.

For another vivid red toned exotic, compare our Padauk. Browse the full Wood Veneer Types pillar or head to the Shop.

Sustainability and sourcing

Bloodwood is not currently CITES listed. As with all our tropical species, we favor established suppliers who source responsibly rather than from uncontrolled harvest. Veneer stretches a dense, slow growing tree across far more finished surface than the same log cut into solid lumber.

Available now on eBay

Every sheet below is a live WoodCycle listing. We are US-based and ship fast, usually within one business day.

Frequently asked

Why is bloodwood so red?

It is one of the most naturally vivid woods available, with pigment that gives fresh cut sheets an intense red that mellows slightly to a deep brick red over time.

Is bloodwood veneer hard to work with?

Its hardness makes it more brittle than softer species, so sharp blades and light cuts matter. Once cut, it glues and finishes normally.

Will the color fade?

It mellows from a vivid fresh cut red to a deeper brick red with light exposure over months, but stays a rich red rather than fading to brown.

What is bloodwood best used for?

Small accents, inlay, and stripes rather than large panels, given its intensity and cost.

Where does your bloodwood come from?

Central and South American bloodwood, sourced through established veneer suppliers. It is not CITES listed.

Need another species for the project?

Browse the full species library or shop live listings on eBay.

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