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Leather is a versatile and classic material that has been used for decades to make a wide variety of products. This vegan fashion includes vegan belts, vegan shoes, hats, jackets, gloves, and other accessories. There are, however, several types of leather, including vegan leather belts and real leather.
Vegan leather belts, commonly known as faux leather belts, or simply vegan belts, are comprised of polyurethane polymer. It’s sustainable and innovative that uses faux leather to make vegan materials that look like the real leather black belt but could actually be a vegan black belt. On the other hand, real leather belts are typically made from animal skins such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Besides that, skins from other various creatures such as lizards, ostriches, kangaroos, and fish can be used.
However, as more people shift to veganism, there has been a gradual but steady change in consumer demand for the best vegan products like faux leather belts or simply vegan belts. The number of vegan belts purchases is currently at an all-time high, prompting the question:
Is Vegan Leather better than Real Leather?
This blog post offers a review of the process of manufacturing a wide variety of vegan leather products and specifically vegan belts while highlighting the pros and cons of vegan belts brands vs. real leather belts.
How are Vegan Belts made?
Vegan belts are manufactured with different chemicals than actual leather, and therefore, it undergoes a different industrial process. The most common method of producing faux leather vegan belts is by binding a plastic coating to a fabric backing. It should be noted that the thickness of the plastic coatings used varies, and this is what usually defines the eco-friendly nature of vegan leather or vegan belts. Order these stylish women’s vegan belts or women’s gold ring dress belts made of vegan materials by Doshi.
PVC was widely used in the 1960s and 1970s, and its component may still be found in types of vegan leather. vegan belt brands PVC isn’t perfect for manufacturing environmentally friendly products since it emits dioxins, meaning that it has a high potential for contaminating the air in confined spaces, especially if it’s been burned.
Polyurethane, a type of polymer, is used to make the majority of modern leather. Besides that, it may be made from other sustainable, eco-friendly vegan materials such as cork vegan belt brands which are water-resistant (like this wide Corkor vegan brown belt for women).
The best vegan synthetic leather is quite versatile; hence many useful textures and stylish designs like Croakies vegan designer belts (bottle opener belt buckle). Two versions are available first the Croakies Artisan 1 (pictured with sharks below), and second the Croakies Artisan 2 (pictured with trees below), and both versions have many other design variations to choose from.
If this is not your cup of tea perhaps try Doshi designer vegan belts made for men. Surface colors may be printed on faux leather or vegan suede for luxury vegan belts and designer vegan belts made. Lastly, some manufacturers include a logo design or brand name for vegan belt brands customization of various styles.
Manufacturing Process of animal friendly Vegan Belts and Vegan Shoes:
Step 1: Mixing
It’s the initial stage, and it involves mixing the plastic composition or recycled materials. This is often a mixture of thick liquids with varied thickness lengths, depending on the vegan materials or apple leather used and the intended use. Vegan belts made from chemicals help to preserve the faux leather or vegan suede from sunlight damage in some circumstances. In addition, flame retardant elements can also be introduced at some point.
The mixing process also includes the addition of color elements, which is why vegan belts typically come in a variety of colors including brown belt. Color dyes are often wanted during the production to be put into mechanical mixing bins, where they blend with the recycled materials or vegan materials and a lot of additives, resulting in a thick liquid that will be mixed in the next step.
Note: the most used plastics are polyurethane (PU) and Polyvinyl/vinyl (PVC). Some manufacturers of men’s and women’s vegan belts refrain from adding colors in the mixing stage and wait until the extrusion stage.
Step 2: Extrusion
Extrusion mainly involves forcing a liquid solution through a metal die design before cutting it into the desired shapes. So, after mixing the vegan liquid, it is extruded on a flat backing. This procedure is typically aided by gravity by pouring or machines that help in pushing the leather liquid onto the backing.
In general, the backing is vital since it ensures that the vegan materials are evenly spread and securely kept in place while drying and taking their final form of vegan products of various styles and vegan fashion. The backing material might vary, although most manufacturers normally use fiber or paper backings, such as polyester or cotton. Besides that, it might be made up of a fine mesh material featuring plastic, metal, and fiber. Mesh is significant since it gives extra gripping surfaces for liquid leather. The material is then left to dry; heat is occasionally employed to speed up the process of manufacturing vegan fashion with vegan belt brands of various styles.
Note: If a thicker layer of leather is needed, additional layers will be extruded before being evenly spread on the backing. This will then be heated evenly before being left to cool.
Step 3: Printing/ Stamping/ Embossing
This process involves the application of surface texture to ensure that the faux leather looks and feels like real leather grain. Printing ensures that the final leather product visually appeals to consumers.
On the other hand, stamping is important since it is used to cover up the surface imperfections. Generally, similar to a cosmetic procedure, in that it is done to make the final product more attractive.
Step 4: Finishing
It is the final step, and it entails the application of a synthetic surface protectant. Finishing vegan leather is essential for achieving that gleaming appearance on men and women’s vegan belts made. Additionally, the finish acts as a protective layer, guaranteeing that the best vegan leather is long-lasting.
Transparent polymers that are scratch/abrasion-resistant and water-resistant are the most often used finishes. It’s also worth noting that the finishing process also helps to add in scents that make the vegan belts smell like a traditional leather product.
Is Vegan Leather Belt Brands better than Real Leather Belt Brands?
There has been much debate on whether faux leather belts have more benefits than real leather belts. The fact is that they are two distinct items with different features.
Is vegan leather really better than real leather? Well, here’s a brief overview of their pros and cons:
Pros of Vegan Leather
The vegan lifestyle has become quite popular, which means that many people are becoming more interested in eco-friendly items. So, why should you consider buying the best vegan belts made of various styles?
There are multiple types of apple leather or faux leather, including:
- Paper: it’s manufactured with specialist sheets such as a washi, which is an extract of the Japanese Kozo tree. It is mostly used to make handbags.
- Rubber: It is made from recycled rubber products such as inner tubes. Rubber is used to make a handbag, vegan belt, vegan shoes or vegetarian shoes, and other accessories.
- Polyurethane-treated fabric: This is one of the most frequent forms of the vegan belt, and it often involves the application of a polyurethane coating to fabrics like cotton, nylon, or polyester. Once the newly treated recycled materials are textured, they will resemble the grain texture of animal leather. Vegan Leather Belts are one example of this.
- Plant leather is most often made by mixing plant substitutes, such as mushroom skins, to create long-lasting, breathable products with anti-bacterial properties. Since a vegan belt is biodegradable, durable, they offer excellent eco-friendliness qualities.
No Use of Animal Products
Faux leather is not created from animal skins, so wearing vegan belts will make you a more ethical person. This means that manufacturers of vegan belt use other alternative products to avoid harming animals. It’s a viable solution, particularly in terms of decreasing animal cruelty in the commercial industry.
Low Maintenance
Faux leather products or apple leather products like a vegan belt is durable and usually less susceptible to chemical products. As a result, they are easier to maintain than real leather products. If you want to buy leather products, especially if you have a large family, go for a faux leather vegan belt brand.
Non-Toxic Tanning Process
Tanning real leather entails the use of anthracene, a harsh chemical that can cause people to experience kidney and liver issues. Anthracene has been classified as a carcinogen, making it hazardous and toxic to manufacturing employees. Besides that, the arsenic and formaldehyde used to polish real leather can induce eye, lung, and skin damage. So instead choose the vegan Recycled Material Belts made that are adjustable and made from recycled materials instead.
Highly attractive
Faux leather belts or vegan belt is fashionable and attractive. It comes in a variety of colors, finishes, and textures, which makes it appealing vegan fashion to people who like luxury vegan belt like this black vegan belt Axesoria Men’s Vegan reversible belt.
Cons of Vegan Leather
The downsides of getting a vegan belt include:
Easily Cracks
Faux leather belts like a black vegan belt are produced with specific conditioners that aid in their durability. However, after a few years of usage, the laminated surface might crack.
Less Durable
Some vegan belts made are susceptible to water damage. Also, because of its fragile surface, it is easily ripped. Furthermore, its vegan fashion lifespan is limited to five years at most, which is good for vegan belt brands. It’s also worth noting that this type of vegan leather lacks the hypoallergenic properties of real leather.
Not Breathable
Reach for a real leather imitation vegan leather or faux leather vegan belt made of synthetic fabric, thus it is not breathable, especially PVC faux leather belts.
Pros of Real Leather
Live animals treated like products made with real hide do not come with any advantages.
Environmental Impact
There is a widespread misperception that vegan leather is more eco-friendly than real leather. This, however, is not the case. To begin with, the best men’s and women’s vegan belts found on the market are made using petroleum-based products, making them toxic to the environment and less recyclable.
On the other hand, real leather is manufactured from live animals some of whom are skinned alive. These products usually have a long-life span, but with it comes a significant environmental strain unlike the vegan belt brands, which causes less environmental damage.
Unique Smell and Texture
Animal hides have distinct scents and textures that distinguish them from synthetic products. Real leather has a unique smell and texture that appeals to a wide range of people. Additionally, unlike vegan leather, which does not fade as naturally as real leather, the natural fading feature of real leather simply adds to its authentic look over time.
Cons of Real Leather
While it may still appeal to the masses, real leather comes with several disadvantages, including:
High Maintenance
This sort of leather needs more maintenance than a vegan belt would. Real leather also requires more attention since it tends to dry out faster. Natural leather is tough to maintain since it is readily stained or dirty, especially when it comes into contact with acid or oils.
Toxic Tanning Process
The process of tanning leather to give it an organic feel, natural unique smell, and to enhance flexibility and durability typically involves the use of hazardous chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic.
Is Vegan Leather Cheaper Than Real Leather?
Non leather belt options are significantly less expensive than real leather, regardless of the quality of material used to manufacture it. There are some exceptions when vegan belts or faux leather belts made cost more than genuine leather belts made with silver buckle like in the case of the silver buckle Truth Belts SLUG vegan men’s belt.
Vegan Leather vs. Real Leather: How Can You Tell the Difference?
Some vegan belts like these Corkor women’s skinny belts or Corkor men’s skinny belts look and feel fantastic. Some consumers may find it difficult to distinguish between vegan belts, vegan dress belts, and real leather belts as a result of this.
However, certain features can help you identify between a real leather belt and a vegan belt, and they are as follows:
Look
Real leather has a genuine feel to it, with a diverse grainy texture on its surface. However, since vegan leather is a manufactured imitation like a vegan belt, it lacks the grainy feel. Besides that, those with the grainy pattern generally has the sense of a stamped design that is continuously repeated over faux leather belts made or vegan leather belts made. Check out these cool men’s vegan Truth Belts by clicking here.
Vegan belts made have a smooth or plastic-like feel to it like this Doshi Women’s Square Reversible Belt with a reversible buckle. Real leather, on the other hand, is often supple, flexible, and grainy texture. Additionally, real leather can be stretched and feels warm, unlike a vegan belt.
Smell
Vegan belts made have a plastic-like or chemical scent. This is due to the fact that they are usually made with chemicals and plastic products. Yet some types of vegan dress belts are made from recycled materials, and we all know that recycling is good for the environment.
Layering
If you get a chance to cut a piece of vegan belt, you will find that it is made up of multiple layers. If you look at the cut of vegan leather, you will notice that it is smooth, clean, and even. This is because synthetic fabrics often have a clean and even cut. Real leather, on the other hand, has a “hairy” edge, that occasionally has some fibers sticking out.
Conclusion
It would be preferable to get the vegan shoes and vegan belts made, especially when seeking for products that would provide good value for money. It is important to consider the tragedy that comes with choosing real leather products, particularly regarding animal cruelty and the not fair working conditions of employees in tanning factories. Vegan leather has its advantages as well including living a cruelty free lifestyle, enhancing environmental conservation efforts, and a diverse choice of vegan belt textures and designs to choose from. Begin your transition from real leather to vegan leather by buying Vegan Leather Belts. Shop today at Cruelty Free Belts for the best vegan belts made.
So, which type of Leather is superior?
In this scenario, cruelty free vegan leather appears to be the best alternative for vegan belts. If you still have more questions, I suggest reading PETA’s article, “Vegan Leather: What it is and why it belongs in your closet.”
FAQs
Q: Is Vegan-Leather Eco-Friendly?
A: The answer might be both yes and no. It all depends on the sort of faux leather belts. It’s worth noting that PVC- and PU-based vegan leather products like a vegan belt is usually cheap to manufacture since they use low-cost plastic products, but these plastics aren’t easily recyclable. As a result, vegan leather although cruelty free can be harmful to the environment since it uses fewer renewable resources that are not easily reusable.
However, the best apple leather or faux leather belts now include the use of fruit or plant-based components, making them eco-friendly. There are a number of manufacturers who make certain that the sourcing and manufacturing process are contaminant-free and eco-friendly like a Corkor vegan belt.
Q: What are the Components of Vegan Leather?
A: These products are often manufactured from a wide range of vegan belt materials. PVC and PU are the most used materials for vegan belts. However, other organic options are currently being used, including wood, pineapples, and grapes generally referred to as apple leather.
Q: Is the Quality of Vegan Leather Good?
A: It is determined by the materials used as well as the manufacturing method. Of course, there are high-quality vegan leather products, but there are also low-quality options. Note that the quality determines the price, therefore the greater quality of vegan belts, the more expensive it is. Vegan leather products such as belts, handbags, and upholstery are often of high quality and have outstanding functionality these days.
Q: What’s the Durability of cruelty free Vegan Leather?
A: This, once again depends on the quality of the vegan leather. Shop for some vegan belts made that are durable like this men’s Auto Doshi Belt with an automatic buckle.
Vegan belts or faux leather belts are durable (but sometimes not as durable as real leather belts) and are made of either PU and/or PVC materials. The average lifespan of a PU or PVC belt is 2-5 years.
Q: Should I Buy Vegan Leather or Real Leather Belts?
A: It all depends on your personal preferences and what you can afford. Vegan leather, particularly that derived from plant sources, is great in conserving the environment. Visit our site Cruelty Free Belts’ to choose to purchase from a great vegan collection and vegan fashion of adjustable vegan belts made that are difficult to find at stores around your home location. Our vegan belts are reasonably priced, closely resemble the appearance & functionality of real leather.
On the other hand, if you choose to buy real leather belts over faux leather belts, you are encouraging animal cruelty. Additionally, you would be encouraging those tannery workers to continue to work in hazardous conditions. It should be noted that the tanning process requires the treatment of protein fibers and collagen to prevent biodegradation. Exposure to these chemicals may affect tannery workers negatively. Instead, choose an environmentally friendly belt at Cruelty Free Belts’ website this year and add it to your shopping cart.
Perhaps you’re like us here at Cruelty Free Belts and are a little crazy about Vegan Leather Belts. If this is you, we recommend reading some of our related blog posts: “How to Make your own Vegan Leather Belt“, “Cactus Leather – More Prick but Less Harm to Animals“, “Vegan Belts – the Ethical Real Leather Free Alternative“, “Vegan Belts make an Ethical Difference“, “Vegan Leather vs Real Leather – What’s the Best Option?“, “Non Leather Belt – the Cruelty Free Difference it Makes“, and “The 10 Best Reasons Why a Genuine Leather Belt is Worse than a Vegan Leather Belt.”
FAQ
Is vegan leather belt manufacturing a complex process?
Initially, the plastic composition or recycled materials are mixed to form a cohesive mixture. Based on the vegan materials or apple leather used and the purpose of the mixture, thick liquids are often combined with different thicknesses. The next method involves extruding a liquid solution through a metal die design and cutting it into the shape needed. As such, both liquids are combined before being extruded on flat backings. It is usually done by gravity by pouring the leather liquid onto the backing or by using machines in which the liquid is pushed onto the backing by gravity. As part of this process, faux leather is printed with surface texture to make it look and feel like real leather. Then, by printing the final leather product, consumers are ensured that it looks appealing. The final steps include applying a synthetic surface protectant and finishing.
Can Vegan Leather Belt Brands match up with Real Leather Belt Brands?
Using faux leather belts will make you a more ethical person since they are not made from animal skins. Furthermore, faux leather items like vegan belts are durable and less likely to be affected by chemical products. In this way, if you want to buy leather products, they are easier to maintain than real leather products. Aside from this, tanning real leather involves using anthracene, a harsh chemical that can irritate the kidneys and liver. Furthermore, non-leather belt options are considerably less expensive than non-leather belts, regardless of the quality of the leather.
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