jats:pThe variations of the fourth-order coefficients of the crystallite orientation distribution function, with rolling reduction have been determined after cold-rolling and annealing for a deep-drawing quality rimming steel and an aluminium-killed steel. These coefficients influence drawability and earing behaviour and by the manipulation of the coefficients in the distribution function of a 60% cold-rolled and annealed rimming steel, a hypothetical non-earing sheet texture has been derived. By comparison with the actual sheet texture those textural components which most affect earing behaviour are identified.</jats:p>