Artisanal work differs from industrial work in several aspects. That is, the consumer may notice differences in the price, quality and style of each piece purchased.
At first, we already know that valuing artisanal work is to encourage a sustainable market. Although we already have this notion, many still ask themselves: why does the handmade product cost more than the industrial one?
In short, the pricing of a handmade article defined by the artisan involves a number of factors. However, i’ll bring the three main reasons why handicrafts, in most cases, receive a higher price than that made by machines.
Therefore, check out the central reasons:
1. The hourly wage for artisanal work
One of the main reasons why craftsmanship is more expensive is the fair remuneration for labor, combined with the hours of work dedicated to develop the product.
Thus, artisanal products are made manually during long hours of dedication in just one piece. As a result, the remuneration must be fair. On the other hand, the product manufactured mechanically by an industry may not fairly pay each employee behind the machines.
In view of this, the extra value you pay for a handicraft strengthens the work of the artisan and his network of suppliers. In addition, it also encourages a fairer market, which is what we call Fair Trade.
Fair Trade promotes sustainable trade based on better conditions of exchange between those who produce and those who buy. The goal is to make this contact exist without the bureaucracy of large companies to strengthen transparency, respect and fair prices.
2. Exclusivity
As they are manual, the pieces developed in the studio have the bonus of being produced exclusively for each client. This is also due to the concept of slow fashion, which differs from the fast fashion model of department stores.
Fast fashion is responsible for the series production of several identical and inferior pieces. Thus, exclusivity is a quality that is not present in large-scale industrial work.
Therefore, the longer the time dedicated to each piece the greater the guarantee of a product developed with care only for you. That is, because of the exclusivity and quality of the product, the price of a handmade product rises considerably.
3. Product quality
Industries create the same products, and often with a questionable finish. On the other hand, the product created in the studio is exclusive to its materials because the better the quality of your product, the greater your sale. And, due to the price of the material used and also for not investing in large-scale purchase, the cost also rises.
In addition, buying quality craftsmanship also contributes to a break in the consumption wheel in large chains. Serial industrial production rarely values the worker behind the machines, the quality of the material and the exclusivity of the piece.
Therefore, while in mass production the factory has its profit based on the quantity of production and sale, the artisan conquers his market through the quality and exclusivity of his product.
So, before asking for that discount, remember these three reasons that make the price of handicrafts more expensive than the industrial one. Although more expensive, remember that the amount charged tends to be fair when compared to the quality and exclusivity presented.
Finally, follow Briselier on Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube. There you will always find more about crafts, crochet and dreamcatchers. 😉