Hello everyone, I am the former factory manager of Galan Leather Goods, specializing in women’s bags and wallets for 20 years. There are too many “fake leather” and “imitation leather” on the market, and many customers spend a lot of money only to buy second-layer leather or even PU, which peels off and cracks after just half a year of use. Today, I won’t use technical jargon, but will teach you three simple tricks to distinguish between good and bad in a second.
Trick 01: Look at the Pattern
Real leather has natural pores, irregular patterns, and varying depths, so it will not be exactly the same. Fake leather has particularly neat and uniform patterns, like they were printed on, and it feels slippery but not elastic, making it look very “fake” at a glance.
Trick 02: Press with your hand
When pressing down on the scalp, there will be natural radial lines that will immediately rebound upon release, feeling soft yet resilient. When pressing down on split leather and PU, they feel hard and stiff, rebound slowly, and may even leave an indelible mark. 
Genuine leather has a subtle leather fragrance that is not pungent and becomes more natural with repeated exposure. PU and inferior leather emit a strong plastic and glue smell as soon as they are opened, which persists even after long ventilation.
Many people ask me, “Factory director, what’s the difference with such a big price difference? It’s in the leather material, the craftsmanship, and the quality control. We at Galan Leather Goods have been in business for 20 years, using only good materials and not engaging in one-time deals. Every piece of leather entering the factory is screened, and every bag undergoes multiple quality inspections. We would rather accept fewer orders than produce inferior goods.
If you have a bag and don’t know whether it’s top-grade or second-grade leather, you can take a photo and send it to me, and I will help you for free. In making leather goods, conscience is more important than profit. 20 years of craftsmanship is not just a slogan, but something we adhere to every day.
Follow Galan Leather Goods, and we’ll teach you in the next issue: simple tips for repairing scratches, mold, and discoloration on your bag at home.
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