Handmade Leather VS. Mass-Manufactured Leather good in the UK
Life’s a never-ending tug of war between the old and the new. Sadly, our preferences in leather goods—handmade or mass-manufactured—aren’t left out of the equation. But then, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Whether you prefer the pristine human touch that goes into handmade leather goods or the feeling of being in touch with the larger picture that comes with mass-manufactured leather goods, you actually can’t go wrong with either. Not at all.
Leather remains a comfortable and durable fabric1, no matter where you stand on the handmade leather vs. mass-manufactured leather debate. At the end of the day, enjoying the best of both worlds is easier said than done. One advantage will most likely cut it for you.
Handmade Leather Goods in the UK
Both the global and local leather industry goes way back. Annual figures and valuations on both fronts are undeniably jaw-dropping2, but they easily shroud the stronger artistic influence present in the very early years. This artistic influence is largely tied to the fact that, in earlier times, handcrafting was the only way to go about the making of leather goods. And the crafters didn’t miss the opportunity to make as many of the most appealing designs as possible.
In other words, the aesthetic aspect of products attracted more attention over time. Interestingly, handmade leather goods are still a thing. And there’s actually a handful of reasons that support their superiority over mass-manufactured leather goods. The superior build quality of handmade leather products3 is one solid reason why handmade leather is better. This is largely a product of the extra attention devoted to handmade leather products for the duration of construction.
Mass-manufactured leather goods don’t receive as much attention during construction and are more likely to have flaws. Also, there’s a unique feel induced by a handmade leather product that machines can scarcely replicate. Another important reason why handmade leather is better is the environment-friendly nature of the construction process.4
The machines required for mass-manufacturing emit toxic substances. Purchasing handmade leather in the UK also creates more jobs in the sector.
Mass-manufactured Leather Goods in the UK
Mass-manufactured leather goods have become more popular in recent times. The need for industries to cater for a truckload of needs arose in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, urban migration and population growth. It was only a matter of time before the UK leather industry caught on.
A lot has been said about mass-manufactured leather goods, but there are solid reasons why you should choose them over handmade leather goods. One of such reasons is that mass-manufactured leather products are more suited for the modern market. They are more reflective of the current market realities.
If you intend to start a leather product line, you would spend less money on the production of batches using machines5 than you would if you used your hands. Returning to the consumer’s end, mass-manufactured leather products are also more readily available than handmade leather products. This is because the mass-manufacturing of leather goods is faster than handcrafting.
Many regard handmade leather products as having superior quality and it’s important to look out for the best quality leather. However, it’s only a matter of time before you settle for a mass-manufactured leather product that’s more affordable and of a similar quality level with handmade products.
It still remains that mass-manufacturing of leather goods has adverse effects on the environment, despite the practicality they offer.
Which One is Better?
If you insist on taking just one side in the handmade leather goods vs. mass-manufactured leather goods debate, you should carefully assess the strengths and drawbacks of both sides. As a consumer, you must consider your habits.
Inversely, as a person seeking to start a new leather product line, you must determine your available resources and your target audience. A lot has been said about the UK being relatively more conservative than its North American counterparts, despite the growing liberalism.
If you are conservative, especially in the area of leather products, you’d definitely be more disposed to handmade leather goods as a customer. As the conservative owner of a new leather product line who also takes the environment into consideration, handmade leather products would totally work.
However, you can run the risk of being out of touch with the present market conditions. As hinted at earlier, the difference between the quality of handmade leather goods and mass-manufactured leather goods isn’t so much. And there are much more consumers to cater to.
This means that conservative leather product lines are more likely to make less profit than mass-manufacturing leather product lines. A good number of people care about the pristine touch of handmade leather goods, but many do not mind. Your daily schedule can leave you contented with a leather product of seemingly inferior build quality.
Finally,
The choice of preferred leather in the UK ultimately falls to you. Both fronts present an array of options and in actual fact, you can rarely go wrong. One way to go about the conflict of choice in this regard is to make preferred options for specific purposes.
For example, you really don’t have to get worked up about your leather bag or belt being handmade or mass-manufactured However, if you foresee long-term use, the handmade route might be the most ideal as that would be more cost-effective. On the flip side, you can save money and purchase a mass-manufactured leather bag or belt if you foresee short-term usage.
Pending when you intend to get started with leather goods in the UK, the work of CreateLab might interest you. Foreign leather products, whether handmade or mass-manufactured, are offering serious competition to local product lines regarding the sale of handmade leather in the UK. Still, CreateLab is committed to the production of meticulous, valuable handmade leather goods.
No matter where you stand in the handmade leather goods vs. mass-manufactured leather goods debate, you can always rely on handmade leather by CreateLab.
We look forward to getting in touch with you and giving you the best service. Reach out to us today right here.
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