Leather products such as leather bags, purses, wallets, and backpacks, among many others, are loved and adored in equal measure. They have many qualities that make wearing or having them a dream for many people. For instance, leather products can be customized to a person’s liking and preference, such as logos, colors, or even texture. Whatever you need, a leather goods manufacturer can design and produce it.
Starting a business to produce customized leather products or any business requires a lot of effort, passion, and dedication. But, if you are willing to place enough effort and dedication into building it, you’ll need to follow some tips and critical steps to achieving success. So, what are some things to consider when manufacturing these products? Below are some tips for custom leather goods manufacturing.
Choice of Leather
The first and most important thing to consider is the leather choice. This is because leather quality determines the value of the final product. To begin with, there are two main types of leather; genuine leather and man-made or artificial leather. The two are different in some aspects, as we shall see later. However, genuine leather is a general term for all-natural leathers obtained from cows, sheep, horses, kangaroo, and other animals. In addition, some small amounts of fish skin also fall under the genuine leather category.
Artificial leather is a term used to describe particular end uses of some synthetic products like leatherette (clothing and auto upholstery), faux leather (chair, headboard, and chair upholstery), and koskin (various consumer goods). There are three main types of making synthetic leather: PVC, Silicone, and PU (polyurethane)
Differences Between Genuine and Synthetic leather
Origin
The most significant difference between the two types of leather is their origins. Genuine leather comes from animal hides, while artificial leathers are made from plastic bases and treated using wax, polyurethane, or dye to create texture and color.
Uniqueness
The other difference between synthetic leather and genuine leather is uniqueness. Genuine leather features the hallmarks of its origins, such as scars, stretch marks, and veins. This adds a little to the beauty and character of the final product. It also has inconsistent marks and pores, meaning it has a distinctive look. Even when created to look natural, faux leather is uniform because the pores are created synthetically.
Made To Last
The other advantage of genuine leather that separates it from faux leather is durability. Genuine leather lasts for years without any damage if cared for properly. On the other hand, synthetic leather isn’t as durable, with price being its most significant selling point; it is cheap. So, if you are a leather goods manufacturer, the choice of leather is something you want to consider.
Stitching and Thread Quality
The other things buyers check when purchasing leather goods are thread quality and stitching. Hence, it is critical to consider when starting a leather goods manufacturing company. First, you want to stitch your leather products using high-quality threads to enhance their outlook and bind the different parts. Further, the stitch line should be straight and have consistent gaps. Finally, there should be more stitches between the other stitches.
The best threads to use are nylon threads for leather products, whether genuine leather or faux leather. This is because they are durable and strong. In addition, the nylon threads have got a smooth and slightly glossy finish which compliments the appearance and polish of the leather product. Nylon threads are better than cotton threads because the latter feature small fibers that stand out on the leather’s rough texture. Cotton threads also tend to break or wear off easily, giving the leather product a shabby appearance.
Custom-made leather products can give you that classy look that you have always yearned for. But it is such small details that matter. For instance, the stitching should be so that every stitch locks the other in a well-designed pattern. Hence, even if one stitch wears or comes off, the other stitches aren’t affected. Where necessary, the leather goods manufacturer may decide to hands stitch some parts of the custom-made leather product.
For instance, some portions of a wallet or leather bag might need some reinforcements, and hand stitching can help. However, hand stitching can be quite expensive. Hence, it is only used when necessary. Otherwise, machine stitching should be used to ensure uniformity and aesthetic appeal of the final leather product.
Fittings to Use on the Leather Item
The other critical thing for a leather goods manufacturer to consider is the fittings for the products. If the stitching and type of leather define the final leather product’s identity, then the quality of its fittings defines its personality and nature. These are the beads and metal components such as locks, clasps, studs, and strap adjusters, among other fittings. On a leather product, the color and look of the fittings usually complement its design and color. Some parts of these fittings move seamlessly without squeaky sounds. They also feature a polished, glossy, and uniform finish.
Although most fittings are metallic, beads also give leather products a glamorous appeal. As famous saying acclaim, not all that glitters are gold. One of the ways of judging the quality of fitting is by its weight, and metallic fittings are heavier than beads.
Hence, leather goods manufacturers have to weigh the tradeoffs to arrive at a quality product. Heavier fittings are often made using better quality metals, while light hardware means the metallic fitting may be hollow inside, which might not be as durable. Hence, the manufacturer may design the fitting based on the price of the leather product.
Edge Finishing of the Leather Product
Any high-quality leather product always features a finished edge. If a leather goods manufacturer doesn’t finish the edges of their products, their goods or craftmanship gains an unprofessional, uncaring, and lazy feel. On the other hand, if a leather product has a properly finished edge, the excessive moisture doesn’t seep into the leather, meaning that an edge finishing has functional importance in any leather product. Further, a finished edge gives the leather product a slight curve on its sharp edge. A great finishing also has aesthetic functionality. It provides a luxurious appeal of the leather product’s edge being bent over and continued on the other side.
There are 3 kinds of edge finishes; burnished edges, painted edges, and turned edges. The type of finishing depends on the product. For instance, most leather bags have a painted or turned edge. The bags with a painted edge should have a uniform edge paint without any drip marks to cover the whole edge with a consistent, smooth finish.
Therefore, as a customized leather goods manufacturer, you should listen to your client and develop the best edge finishing for the leather product. Ensure that your leather products have an edge finishing to prevent moisture from seeping into the leather and enhance its aesthetic appeal.
Automation To Reduce Production And Shipping Time
Printed leather products are available in all forms, from handbags, jackets, and shoes. According to a survey conducted by YouGov, the ever-changing userbase purchasing these leather products want more customized or personalized products. The challenge facing many leather goods manufacturers is to find a way to address the clients’ mass customization needs. How can a fashion brand offer printed, customized products with their customers’ costs, quality, and delivery constraints?
The simple answer to this question is automation. Using digital patterning and automation, leather goods manufacturers can meet their design, production, and shipping goals. Today, manufacturers can leverage 3D prototyping, make corrections, and prepare patterns for final production using software systems.
These designs can then be fed into a production system to cut, stitch, and paint the leather product. Hence, you will be able to design the leather goods per the customer specifications and produce them within no time. Automation is changing every other industry, and as a leather products manufacturer, you should also embrace it.
Pricing
The pricing decisions can make or break any leather products business. For instance, if you produce inferior leather products but charge them highly, the consumers might opt to go for another leather goods manufacturer who makes quality products and charges relatively cheaper. On the contrary, if the products are priced too low, you may compromise your company’s profitability.
The price also depends on the material used and craftsmanship quality. Hence, you might have to strike a balance to ensure your business and the customers don’t suffer. Research the market and your competitors to arrive at the best prices for your products. Do not overcharge or undercharge your products because either has a detrimental impact on the business.
What can we do for you?
Leather products are both durable and classy. Hence, most people like owning one, be it a bag, belt, wallet, a purse, you name it. Some even require customized leather apparel to add to their style.
Bagsmakr is a custom leather goods manufacturer, we are specialists in producing various types of leather goods including leather bags, wallets, purses, briefcases, messenger bags, and backpacks. If you need help with custom leather goods manufacturing, then get in touch and we can help you through that process.
