Handmade vs machine
Handmade: artisanal feel, low MOQ, slower, higher unit cost. Machine: consistent, scalable, lower unit cost, requires setup.
When to choose handmade
Hand-finishing (hand embroidery, leather hand-tooling, hand-bound notebooks, hand-painted edges) creates a tactile premium feel that machine production cannot replicate. MOQ from 10-25 pieces. Lead time 2-4 weeks. Best for top-tier client gifts, founder kits and limited editions where the artisan story is part of the value.
When machine production wins
Machine production (CNC embroidery, automated screen carousels, laser engraving, robotic stitch) gives consistent stitch density, exact colour match across thousands of units, and 30-60% lower unit cost above 100 pieces. Best for staff swag, conference giveaways and any volume above 250 pieces where consistency matters more than character.
Pricing — Italy
EUR pricing excluding VAT 22%. E-invoices via SdI. SEPA or card via Stripe. MOQ depends on item tier. Standard lead 5-8 working days, rush production +35% delivers in 3-5 days. Milano production hub serves the whole country.
FAQ
Handmade MOQ?
Typically 10-25 pieces; bespoke runs from 1 piece at very high unit cost.
Machine MOQ?
Usually 50-100 pieces; setup amortised across the run.
Price difference?
Handmade is 3-8x more per unit, depending on technique and material.
Lead time?
Handmade 2-4 weeks; machine 5-8 working days standard, rush 48-72h.
Can you mix?
Yes — machine base + handmade finishing details (hand-stitched edge, hand-painted logo) is a common premium upsell.