Handcrafted production: definition and difference from industry

Shanghai blue jacket on a mannequin

In everyday language, artisanal manufacturing refers to a production method based on the expertise of an individual or a small team, as opposed to industrial manufacturing and its large-scale production. But in practice, the line is not always easy to draw: must an artisanal object be made entirely by hand? Can it be made with the help of a machine? At what production volume do we move into industrial manufacturing?

The dictionary of the Académie française already draws this distinction between craftsmanship and mechanics in its definition of the word fabrication, which refers to two very different types of actions:

  • The act of making something by hand or in an artisanal way, for example when making a prototype
  • Or the act of producing in large quantities using mechanical means, as in the minting of coins

Larousse follows the same line: "artisanal" is what is created using traditional and individual methods, as opposed to what is industrial. But then, what exactly defines industrial manufacturing? Let's take clothing as an example to explain the differences.

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Example of a product that can be manufactured artisanally or industrially: clothing

Les étapes de création d'un vêtement

  • The creation of a garment relies on numerous stages. It begins with the design and drawing of the model, followed by the creation of a pattern and one or more prototypes in order to adjust its shape and proportions.

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    The fabrics are then selected, prepared, and cut according to the various pattern pieces. These are assembled, usually by sewing machine, before the addition of finishing touches such as buttons, fasteners, or labels.

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    These major stages exist in both artisanal and industrial manufacturing. It is primarily the way they are organized that differs.

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Un vêtement artisanal vs. un vêtement industriel

  • Mains guidant du denim sous une machine à coudre dans l’atelier Nabou

    With an artisanally crafted garment, all these operations are carried out or overseen by the same person or a small team. The couturier thus possesses a comprehensive vision of the garment and can intervene at every stage of its creation: they can adapt the shape according to a specific request, choose the best way to sew the garment themselves, or adjust a finish depending on the fabric and the desired result. The garment is thus followed in its entirety, from the raw material to the finished piece.

  • Ouvrières dans un atelier industriel de confection à la fin du XIXe siècle

    In industrial manufacturing, by contrast, the model is designed to be reproduced identically in large quantities. The assembly of the garment is divided into a succession of operations performed by different people: one worker may be in charge of attaching the sleeves, another of making the pockets, and yet another of sewing on the buttons. Each station repeats a specific task in order to speed up production and ensure a certain consistency between garments.

The main difference between the two ways of producing a garment therefore lies in the organization and distribution of expertise.


  • In an artisan workshop, one person (or a small team) retains complete knowledge of the product, designing and manufacturing the garment from start to finish.

  • In industrial production, this knowledge is distributed among several professions - for example, designers, pattern makers, cutters, assembly operators, or quality control teams.

Au final, c'est quoi une fabrication artisanale ?

Artisanal manufacturing is often associated with unique pieces and work that is largely manual, carried out by a single person. However, an artisan can also use machines, produce several copies of the same model, or work with other people.

Other preconceived notions also deserve nuance. Artisanal manufacturing is not necessarily carried out in France, does not automatically imply the use of natural or local materials, and does not, on its own, guarantee better quality or a lower environmental impact.

At Nabou, we define artisanal manufacturing above all as a production method based on the mastery of technical know-how and the central role of human skill. The person who creates the product remains at the heart of the process: they understand, master, and oversee the various stages of production, from the raw material to the finishing touches.

Nabou, a brand of handcrafted jackets

At Nabou, each jacket is crafted in our Paris workshop by one single person who manages the process from start to finish. This approach allows for meticulous attention to every jacket, from the selection of fabrics to the final details, without completely separating the design from the cutting or assembly.

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Artisanal or industrial manufacturing: what are the differences?

Qu’est-ce que la fabrication industrielle ?

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution profoundly transformed modes of production in Europe. Gradually, an economy largely based on agriculture and craftsmanship gave way to the large-scale production of manufactured goods. This marked the birth of industrial manufacturing, which relies on two main principles:

  • the use of machines to produce goods quickly and in large quantities
  • an assembly-line organization of work, which involves a division of tasks: a complex job is broken down into small, simple actions that can be repeated by the same worker

Thanks to this, industrial manufacturing makes it possible to obtain series of products with high consistency—this is known as standardization of production—and with significantly reduced manufacturing costs thanks to the famous economies of scale.

Quelles différences avec la fabrication artisanale ?

The difference between artisanal and industrial manufacturing mainly comes down to three elements: the role of human intervention, the scale of production, and the organization of work.


  • The central role of human intervention: within an artisanal business, the manual know-how of the person making the product remains decisive. They may well use professional machines (a sewing machine to make a garment, for example), but these remain tools that they adjust and control. They do not replace their touch, their decisions, or their expertise.

  • Smaller production quantities: as the time devoted to each piece is generally greater, artisanal products are often made individually, to order, or in small batches. Production is therefore less standardized and can better adapt to needs, available materials, or the specificities of each product.

  • A more global view of the manufacturing process: in an artisanal workshop, the same person or a small team is generally involved in several stages of the product's creation. Where industrial production tends to distribute tasks among different specialized roles, the artisan retains a more complete understanding of the object, from its design to its finishing touches.
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Your questions about artisanal manufacturing

fabrication artisanale

How to recognize a handcrafted product?

It is not always possible to recognize artisanal manufacturing simply by observing the finished product. Some brands use the vocabulary of craftsmanship without concretely explaining where and how their products are made.

To better understand how an object or garment is manufactured, several questions can be asked:

  • Does the brand own its own workshop or does it work with identified partners?
  • Are the products manufactured in large quantities, in small batches, or made to order?
  • Who made the product?
  • What are the main stages of manufacturing?

A company that truly practices artisanal manufacturing is generally capable of precisely describing its process. It can show the techniques, tools, people, and time required to create its products.

Why does an artisanal product often cost more?

The price of an artisanal product does not correspond solely to the cost of its raw materials. It must also cover the time spent on its design and manufacturing, the remuneration of the people who create it, professional equipment, workshop maintenance, testing, any necessary adjustments, and the various finishing touches.

In industrial production, these costs can be spread across many thousands of units. An artisanal workshop produces much smaller quantities and therefore benefits less from economies of scale.

The price also reflects the time dedicated to each piece. Some steps remain barely visible once the product is finished: pattern development, fabric preparation, intermediate ironing, internal assembly, inspection, and detailing. Yet, they are essential to the creation of the garment.

What is the difference between artisanal production and homemade?

The terms "artisanal" and "handmade" are often used as synonyms, but they do not cover exactly the same idea.

The term "handmade" emphasizes the importance of operations performed directly by hand. Artisanal production refers more broadly to a mode of production based on know-how and substantial human intervention.

A fashion designer might use an industrial sewing machine or a steam press to make a garment. The use of such equipment does not automatically turn their work into industrial production. The machine here is a tool serving the craft: it replaces neither the knowledge of pattern-making, nor the precision of the assembly, nor the adjustments made during construction.

Conversely, the fact that one step is carried out manually does not necessarily qualify the entire product as artisanal. An object produced in very large series may include a hand-finished detail without its overall mode of production being artisanal.

What are the benefits of artisanal manufacturing?

Handcrafted manufacturing helps to preserve and pass on technical expertise. It also fosters a deep knowledge of materials and a closer connection between product design and its execution.

Small-scale production facilitates adjustments and quality control at every stage. When a problem arises, the artisan can adjust their technique or rework a finish rather than mechanically following a process designed for thousands of units.

Small batches and made-to-order manufacturing can also limit inventory and reduce the risk of producing quantities that will not be sold. They sometimes allow for customizations or for taking into account the unique characteristics of each material.

Finally, purchasing an artisanal product provides a better understanding of what the price covers: labor time, technical skill, materials, equipment, and the operational costs of a workshop.

What are its limitations?

Handcrafted manufacturing also presents certain constraints. It generally requires more time and does not allow for the same production volumes as an industrial organization. Its unit cost is often higher, as the expenses related to development, the workshop, and labor are not spread over thousands of products.

Furthermore, slight differences may appear between two pieces. These should be distinguished from true manufacturing defects, but they are part of the reality of less automated production and the use of sometimes variable materials.