In this day and age, the demand for goods has been skyrocketing, and businesses have dealt with it by mass production. They manufacture the product in copiousness for a song. This can be accomplished via different methods. You can replace the labor with computerized machinery or use cheaper alternatives to cut transportation costs. But what does this mean for handmade items such as incense holders, placemats, or handbags? From the past to present, these products have always been made with hands.
However, factories have made it feasible and streamlined the process of production. So handicrafts have no place at all? Before we discuss the major differences between industrial and handicraft products, let’s review some historical facts.
During the Industrial Revolution
To put the Industrial Revolution easier to comprehend, it was a revolutionary era of the late 18th century that shifted largely rural, agrarian, and artisans societies in India to industrialized, urban ones. The arrival of steam power marked the beginning of the first Industrial Revolution, completely changing production techniques across various industries. Goods that were only made by hand, like textiles, were now mass-produced. Professionals like spinners, weavers, and dyers were influenced by these changes.
Along with steam engines, new machines and tools like textiles and ironmaking emerged, further driving the shift to mass production. However, this new way of working left all the artisans behind. Many skilled workers got overwhelmed by this transition and chose to move to the countryside and form communities with the motive to spread the rise of handicraft products. Even during the Industrial Revolution, there has always been a choice between mass-produced and handmade products. But in today’s world, where do both types stand, and what are the basic differences between them?
Comparison of Handcrafted and Industrial Goods
With the surge of mass production during the Industrial Revolution, we witnessed a shift in the way products were made. But in today’s world, what can we say about the boons of both categories? Both are unique in their own way. In a factory, machines can produce replicas of products with negligible error. On the other hand, handicrafters use different methods to create the same product. Let’s explore the differences:
1) The Cost of Production
Production costs refer to the expenses a business or an individual incurs to manufacture a product or provide a service. When comparing industrial production to handmade goods, the differences become crystal clear. Factories, with their machines, don’t need to hire a vast number of workers, unlike artisans in the handcrafted sector. This means businesses save a lot on labor costs.
Factories require fewer resources to run. With machines, all that’s needed are raw materials and the machines themselves. The production process is largely automated, so there are no breaks, no additional tools, and minimal human intervention. As a result, industrial production is far cheaper than artisanal products, which require the skills and labor of many artisans.
In addition to the physical costs, we must also take into account opportunity costs. Opportunity cost is the term used to describe the advantages lost when selecting one course of action over another. Handmade production allows artisans to earn their livelihood, and the products have delicate designs with supreme quality that machines can’t match.
2) Timeliness of Production
Along with cost, the timeliness of production is another vital factor. In business, time equals money. If demand suddenly spikes—let’s say there’s a 50% increase in the demand for nauticals—industrial producers can accelerate production instantly to meet this demand. Handcrafted artisans, however, struggle to meet such a big order without possibly losing business to rivals.
When a business looks at their bottom line, they often prioritize profit. This is typically achieved by cutting costs or meeting demand fast. While handcrafted goods are unique and valuable in their own right, they can’t match the speed of mass production in many cases. However, this doesn’t mean there’s no place for handcrafted products. They bring the most creative and bespoke art to the table.
3) The Handcraft Lifestyle
The boom of factories posed an important question for artisans: what is the future of their craft in this new, industrial world? While mass production is faster and cheaper, handicraft items carried value that mass-produced products couldn’t copy.
Artisans take great pride in their work, pouring skill, time, and passion into each creation they create. For every artisan, each piece of art is personal. For every artwork that a client wants, they use skills to come up with a template, make shapes, and create the artwork to the satisfaction of the client. This level of dedication and attention to detail is difficult to capture with industrial machines. Handmade products often have a deeper value because of the story behind them, and this value connects with consumers who appreciate the craftsmanship and effort that goes into creating them.
4) Sustainability of Handcrafts
Have you ever thought that how many mass-produced products are recycled or reused? What environmental effects does the production process have? Except for a few of us, no one cares about it. Take a local artisan work, for example. He/she repurposes scrap metal from damaged vehicles and uses clay to create his flower vases. His/her work is sustainable, not just in its artistry but also in its use of materials that might otherwise end up in landfills.
In contrast, industrial production creates a large amount of waste. By-products such as waste materials, gas emissions, and defective products are frequently produced by factories. While some of these byproducts can be managed, the environmental impact of mass production is undeniable. In countries like China and India, manufacturing and construction alone contribute to about 25% of CO2 emissions.
While handcrafted goods may take longer to produce, they often have a very small environmental footprint. Artisans focus on reusing materials, reducing waste, and minimizing the energy used in production. This makes handcrafted products a more sustainable option compared to mass-produced goods.
The Final Comparison
As it stands, handicraft products are opted by businesses or customers who want to be unique and eco-friendly. As mass-produced products have the ability to match the diversity of a change in market demand. As simple as it can get, society requires goods of both types. There is no doubt that not every foot would fit every shoe. If you have an interest in the artisanal products, we would suggest you contact businesses such as ArtistryBazaar.