Alternative leather articles
Articles on alternative leather for brand owners and crafters: what the terms mean, how to tell materials apart, what to ask a supplier, what a label may say and what you can check yourself in the workshop. Comparisons use only what each material maker publishes.
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What is vegan leather? Meaning, types and its limits
What vegan leather means, the kinds of material behind the label, examples read from makers' own pages on 22 Oct 2026, and what the label cannot tell you.
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PU leather vs PVC: differences for bags, shoes and wallets
How PU leather and PVC differ in synthetic leather: how the coating is made, what to ask a supplier, and which tests to request for bags, shoes and wallets.
Read more PU leather vs PVC: differences for bags, shoes and wallets -
How to tell real leather from synthetic on bags and shoes
Five hands-on checks to tell animal leather from synthetic leather on bags, shoes and wallets, plus the limits of each check and questions for a supplier.
Read more How to tell real leather from synthetic on bags and shoes -
Writing material claims on a product label: safe and risky
How local brands can write material claims on labels, hangtags and listings: state what you can prove, keep claims narrow and file evidence per product.
Read more Writing material claims on a product label: safe and risky -
Simple workshop checks for screening sheet material samples
Five simple workshop checks for screening alternative leather samples: fold, rub, wet, stitch and cut edge, plus how to record results and their limits.
Read more Simple workshop checks for screening sheet material samples -
Reading a synthetic leather supplier note, line by line
How to read a synthetic leather quotation or specification: thickness, roll width, base fabric, colour lot, price unit and what to ask before you pay.
Read more Reading a synthetic leather supplier note, line by line