diff --git a/colander/__init__.py b/colander/__init__.py
index a10bac6..c579c89 100644
--- a/colander/__init__.py
+++ b/colander/__init__.py
@@ -1231,6 +1231,10 @@ class SchemaNode(object):
       'required'.  When ``missing`` is :attr:`colander.required`, the
       ``required`` computed attribute will be ``True``.
 
+    - ``preparer``: Optional preparer for this node.  It should be
+      an object that implements the
+      :class:`colander.interfaces.Preparer` interface.
+
     - ``validator``: Optional validator for this node.  It should be
       an object that implements the
       :class:`colander.interfaces.Validator` interface.
@@ -1275,6 +1279,7 @@ class SchemaNode(object):
         
     def __init__(self, typ, *children, **kw):
         self.typ = typ
+        self.preparer = kw.pop('preparer', None)
         self.validator = kw.pop('validator', None)
         self.default = kw.pop('default', null)
         self.missing = kw.pop('missing', required)
@@ -1338,13 +1343,14 @@ class SchemaNode(object):
 
     def deserialize(self, cstruct=null):
         """ Deserialize the :term:`cstruct` into an :term:`appstruct` based
-        on the schema, and return the deserialized, then validate the
-        resulting appstruct.  The ``cstruct`` value is deserialized into an
+        on the schema, run this :term:`appstruct` through the
+        preparer, if one is present, then validate the
+        prepared appstruct.  The ``cstruct`` value is deserialized into an
         ``appstruct`` unconditionally.
 
-        If ``appstruct`` returned by type deserialization is the value
-        :attr:`colander.null`, do something special before attempting
-        validation:
+        If ``appstruct`` returned by type deserialization and
+        preparation is the value :attr:`colander.null`, do something
+        special before attempting validation:
 
         - If the ``missing`` attribute of this node has been set explicitly,
           return its value.  No validation of this value is performed; it is
@@ -1361,6 +1367,9 @@ class SchemaNode(object):
         """
         appstruct = self.typ.deserialize(self, cstruct)
 
+        if self.preparer is not None:
+            appstruct = self.preparer(appstruct)
+            
         if appstruct is null:
             appstruct = self.missing
             if appstruct is required:
diff --git a/colander/tests.py b/colander/tests.py
index f747190..f3c457e 100644
--- a/colander/tests.py
+++ b/colander/tests.py
@@ -1463,6 +1463,14 @@ class TestSchemaNode(unittest.TestCase):
         node = self._makeOne(None, 0, widget='abc')
         self.assertEqual(node.widget, 'abc')
 
+    def test_ctor_with_preparer(self):
+        node = self._makeOne(None, 0, preparer='abc')
+        self.assertEqual(node.preparer, 'abc')
+
+    def test_ctor_without_preparer(self):
+        node = self._makeOne(None, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(node.preparer, None)
+
     def test_ctor_with_unknown_kwarg(self):
         node = self._makeOne(None, 0, foo=1)
         self.assertEqual(node.foo, 1)
@@ -1486,6 +1494,29 @@ class TestSchemaNode(unittest.TestCase):
         result = node.deserialize(1)
         self.assertEqual(result, 1)
 
+    def test_deserialize_with_preparer(self):
+        from colander import Invalid
+        typ = DummyType()
+        def preparer(value):
+            return 'prepared_'+value
+        def validator(node, value):
+            if not value.startswith('prepared'):
+                raise Invalid(node, 'not prepared')
+        node = self._makeOne(typ,
+                             preparer=preparer,
+                             validator=validator)
+        self.assertEqual(node.deserialize('value'),
+                         'prepared_value')
+
+    def test_deserialize_preparer_before_missing_check(self):
+        from colander import null
+        typ = DummyType()
+        def preparer(value):
+            return null
+        node = self._makeOne(typ,preparer=preparer)
+        e = invalid_exc(node.deserialize, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(e.msg, 'Required')
+
     def test_deserialize_with_validator(self):
         typ = DummyType()
         validator = DummyValidator(msg='Wrong')