What Wholesale Buyers Should Ask Before Ordering Artificial Leather

Artificial leather is one of those materials that can feel like a shortcut to margin. It photographs well, it’s consistent on day one, and it lets you hit a price point that makes procuring cots quite reasonable. So yes, ordering it at wholesale can be a smart move.

But bulk ordering can also backfire if you do not do proper research. A container arrives and the rolls look fine. Then cutting starts and the face layer scuffs. Or the material creases and refuses to recover. The worst part is that many of these failures could have been avoided  before you had ever placed the order.

In this blog, we will tell you all about asking the right questions early on so that you avoid returns, chargebacks, production delays, and the kind of supplier disputes that eat quarters.

What Kind of Artificial Leather Are We Actually Buying?

Artificial leather  “Vegan leather” is an even vaguer term.. Neither tells you what the material will do under stress, heat, UV, or time. So the first question is not about price. It’s about the material characteristics.

Typical leather types are PU-based materials, PVC-based materials, microfiber/synthetic suede constructions, or coated textiles marketed as bio-based blends. Each category behaves differently. So your best bet to prevent getting a faulty product is to ask for the technical datasheet. This should be done before you discuss lead times and color shades.

The  datasheet should include all measurable parameters: coating type, backing type, thickness, weight, usable width, and the standards used for any testing.

What’s the Intended End Use and Is This Material Built for It?

Artificial leather used for fashion bags is not the same as artificial leather used for upholstery. Footwear uppers demand flex endurance and crease behavior. Belts demand tensile stability and edge durability.

So ask directly: what is the supplier’s recommended end use? Then ask a follow-up: what is it not suitable for? Good suppliers will tell you. Fake ones will try to sell you one roll that fits all uses and their product lineup will have no diversity.

What Is the Base Construction: Coating + Backing + Adhesives?

Coating details: thickness, softness, and what “premium” actually means

The face layer is where most buyers focus, because that’s what customers touch. But the face layer is also where cracking and peeling become visible first.

* Ask what the coating is made from and how thick it is.

* Ask how the finish is achieved.

* Ask about the topcoat, because topcoats often determine scratch resistance and stain behavior.

Backing fabric

Backing is not just support. Woven backings often provide dimensional stability. Knit backings can add stretch and comfort but may distort under load. The backing weight and fiber content affect sewability, tear strength, and whether panels remain true after cutting. Some pertinent questions to inquire about this aspect are:

* What is the stretch direction?

* What is the shrinkage?

If you’re producing at scale, small distortions turn into pattern mismatches and sewing issues and that means a  higher reject rate.

Adhesives and lamination method: where delamination begins

Many artificial leathers are laminated systems. That means adhesive chemistry and bonding method matter for durability and long service life.  Here, you must pose the following questions to determine the genuine quality:

Is  bonding heat lamination, solvent-based, water-based, or another approach? Then ask what conditions can weaken the bond.

Delamination rarely announces itself in sampling. It shows up after production starts or after the product sits in a warehouse. Convenient, right?

Performance Questions to Ask That Predict Product Returns

How strong is the abrasion resistance

Abrasion is one of the most consequential specs, especially for upholstery, bags, and anything that rubs against clothing. Ask which test method was used and what results the material achieved. Also, ask whether the result is for the exact color and finish you’re buying, because finishes can change performance.

Is the Flex and crease resistance adequate?

Flex testing matters when the leather material will bend repeatedly. Some artificial leather products where bending continuously is a normal part of usage are shoes, wallets, and straps. Ask for concrete flex data if your products ship or sell in colder climates. These include how the surface behaves after repeated bending: does it whiten, crack, or develop permanent crease lines?

How much is the tensile and tear strength?

Tensile and tear strength affect strap failures. If the leather in your product is meant to carry weight, hang, or pull, you want measurable strength data. That means values and standards. Then compare those numbers to your product’s real load conditions.

How Does the Leather Behave in Real Life?

Can it Tolerate a Broad Range of Temperatures?

Artificial leather is a material designed for heavy use. Moreover, even delicate varieties have to withstand the conditions of transportation like heat in hot containers, cold trucks, and warehouses with varying control. Ask what temperature range the material is designed to tolerate. Ask what happens when it’s stored under compression at heat. Some materials can develop surface sticking, imprinting, or deformation.

Hydrolysis resistance

If you’re buying PU-based material, hydrolysis resistance needs to be discussed directly. Ask whether the material has been tested for hydrolysis resistance and under what conditions.

UV aging and yellowing

UV exposure can discolor and weaken finishes. This is true for indoor exposure as well where strong retail lighting can change light shades over time. Ask for UV aging data if your product will see sunlight or long retail display.

Safety and Compliance

Different markets require different compliance frameworks, and you should verify requirements for your product category and destination. Still, the strategic question remains: can the supplier provide documentation to support your compliance claims?

Ask what standards they can support for your target region. ask whether testing is done on the finished material and whether reports are recent and from credible labs. Outdated or generic reports are a classic trap.

Restricted substances: where risk becomes legal, not cosmetic

Artificial leather can involve harmful chemicals like plasticizers, solvents,and additives. That’s where restricted substance concerns enter: phthalates, heavy metals, azo dyes, formaldehyde, and certain solvents. Ask what restricted substances policy the supplier follows and what test reports they can provide.

MOQ, Lead Times, and Lot Control

MOQ and price breaks

MOQ is a crucial element that impacts consistency and the supplier’s willingness to control variables. If your MOQ is low, the supplier may run you as a small batch with more variability. If your MOQ is higher, you may gain more stable production controls. Neither is inherently better; it depends on your business model.

Lead times

Long lead times invite “equivalent” substitutions, especially when raw materials are constrained. Ask for a confirmed production timeline and what happens if inputs change. Ask for pre-production approval protocols. If your supplier can switch backing or topcoat without your approval, you don’t have control.

Packaging, Shipping, and Storage

Container conditions: your product’s first endurance test

If your supply chain involves ocean freight, you’re sending your material through heat and humidity. Ask how the supplier packs to protect the face. Ask whether desiccants are used. These are vital  for product preservation and  minimizing the risk of loss.

Warehouse storage: keep it stable or watch it age

Ask for storage guidelines and the warehouse climate conditions, like temperature range, humidity, etc.

Pricing: What Exactly Is Included in the Quote?

Ask whether pricing is per meter or per yard, what the usable width is, and what thickness tolerances apply. For larger orders, payment terms matter as much as unit price. Deposits and documentation requirements should align with your risk. If the supplier wants aggressive terms while offering weak QC and vague specs, that’s not a deal.

Conclusion

Artificial leather rewards buyers who think like engineers and negotiate like adults. Define the material precisely. Tie performance tests to your real end use. Treat color and finish consistency as reorder insurance. Pressure-test logistics, storage, and production behavior before you scale. Then, and only then, talk about price as if it’s the main event. Because it isn’t. The main event is what happens after the first thousand units reach customers and start living real lives. That’s where your material choice either protects your brand or exposes it.