tooled

Tooled is the past participle of tool when used as a verb, and also an adjective. In general usage, it describes something that has been equipped with tools or machinery, or something that has been decorated with tools or tooling. The form is common in crafts, manufacturing, and descriptive language about equipment.

In leatherwork, tooled leather refers to leather that has been decorated with stamping and carving tools. Tooling involves applying patterns with specialized implements such as swivel knives, bevelers, background stamps, and cam stamps, often creating raised and recessed motifs. The result is a decorative, textured surface frequently seen on belts, wallets, saddlery, and book bindings.

In manufacturing and product design, tooling refers to the equipment and dies used to produce parts. The phrase to tool up means to prepare a factory or workshop by acquiring the necessary tools, jigs, molds, and related machinery to begin or expand production. Tooling decisions influence production costs, tolerances, and the ability to switch between product variants.

Usage notes emphasize that tooled can describe either equipment readiness or decoration. For example, a workshop can be described as tooled to indicate it has the necessary tools, or a leather item can be described as tooled to indicate it has been decorated. A related informal expression, tool up, is more common in business or criminal contexts and refers to arming or equipping oneself for a task, project, or activity.