Natural woven baskets garner a unique, original quality from a mix of materials and weaving details, offering a practical storage & display solution in various spaces. However, all of this comes at a price. Made with natural materials by the locals, the handicrafts may have potential defects after mass production. And this is where quality inspection comes into play.
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The reasons why natural woven baskets can be faulty are manifold. First, most natural materials possess a hygroscopic property, making them fragile and susceptible to mold. Rattan and bamboo, in particular, are highly vulnerable to termites – tiny little bugs that can cause big damage to basket quality. Each material owns a distinct color tone that varies according to harvest season, region, and species.
Secondly, 100% consistency cannot be achieved due to the nature of handicraft production. It is often acceptable to include subtle variances (below 5%) in size, shape, and color among products. Weaving techniques and craftsmanship standards also differ depending on region and local craft village.
Finally, each production area has different ways of processing materials. Bleaching, oil curing, and thermal steaming do not happen in the same manner. There are often no standard formulas to add colors on natural woven baskets, namely dyeing or painting. The inspection criteria for basket quality might also diversify according to in-house quality control (QC) staff or third parties.
Here is the first important thing to know when you buy baskets in bulk. The final products must be identical to the pre-production sample which the order is based on. Good baskets should follow exact specifications as what both sides initially agree, including dimensions, shape, color, texture, weaving style, pattern, lid type, and basket handle.
More specifically, the iron frames (if any) must be rust-proof with solid joints. This factor will make a sturdy shape – which means baskets will not get deformed over time, and can withstand weight, environment, as well as day-to-day wear and tear. If natural woven baskets consist of nails, they should be hidden carefully to ensure the aesthetics and safety to users.
If you leave natural woven baskets wet for a few days, you will see black or white mildew growing on the surface, which consequently affects their quality. Hence, make sure that your suppliers process and preserve baskets properly, so that they have no mold and mildew when they arrive at your location.
What’s more, wholesale woven baskets must be well processed to prevent pest attack. It is mandatory for producers to treat rattan and bamboo such as oil-curing or steaming. Otherwise, termites and pests will likely appear and do harm to baskets. In case of termites, fumigation is required to eliminate them from baskets.
Each material has different standards of moisture content, and they vary vastly according to the import region. To illustrate, the moisture content recommended for seagrass and water hyacinth homewares is 12-23%, while the figure for rattan and bamboo products is 8-16%. The excessive moisture can cause baskets to get mold and weak in quality.
Asides from having suitable moisture content, natural woven baskets need to be dried and stored well. Prolonged sunlight exposure or intense temperature in the drying room can make some materials become too brittle and shorten their lifetime.
A visible sign of a durable basket lies in its fine weave. For example, with coiled seagrass, woven baskets should leave no gaps between seagrass circles, or have even space between coiling threads. Poor and broken weaving indicates that a basket won’t stand the test of time and typically has a sloppy, inconsistent appearance. In some cases, loading test should be implemented to make sure the baskets have strong weave and function well for storage.
When you buy baskets in bulk, also take into account of glueing. Natural woven baskets must be dipped with a sufficient amount of glue to make their structure stand firm. The gluing technique is applicable to all types of materials, especially ones without iron frames and solid joints.
The process of trimming should be employed for most of woven baskets wholesale. It involves cutting off redundant parts of main materials or sub-materials, namely seagrass strands, bamboo fibers, plastic strings. The final product, moreover, must be cleaned in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner with no dirt such as soil, sand, ink stains, or strands of hair.
As required, colors must be applied evenly and do not smear. The paint finish must not peel or display a patchy color coating. Having said that, colors dyed on natural materials might be uneven and deviate from the required standards.
Color smearing can also occur when producers weave natural strands with color-dyed ones together. Moreover, the paint finish will be susceptible to peeling, whether it is applied on flat surfaces (pressed seagrass) or rough ones (e.g. twisted/ braided seagrass).
There’s more to a quality woven basket than just the basket itself. With designs featuring extra touches such as handles, brass hinges, or other decorative elements, the accessories must meet the required quality specifications, which are as follows:
To easily choose a reliable producer, the first thing is to find areas specializing in production and materials. For instance, if you plan to buy seagrass products, we recommend working with suppliers that source this material from Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, and Thai Binh. The provinces have large production of high-quality seagrass – with even stem diameter, great plasticity, and wonderful natural hues.
Also, you should work with suppliers with expertise in handicrafts production and export. They have well-trained labor, efficient planning and accurate quality control, which will reduce the possibility of production errors or extended lead time. Here are several famous craft villages: Kim Son (Ninh Binh), Phu Vinh (Ha Noi), and Ngoc Dong (Ha Nam), where you could find experienced producers in basket weaving.
Finally, natural woven baskets necessitate much attention to detail and ability of the craftspeople, thus they are subject to workmanship defects. Therefore, in order to establish a relationship and avoid miscommunication, fully clarify the standards and all specifications, including material, design, color, weaving style, pattern, finish, labeling, packaging, and shipping when you start to buy baskets in bulk.
Quality inspection is crucial in any product sourcing. We are offering the above information so that you can better understand what is considered truly high quality in natural woven baskets wholesale. Consider these criteria before all else as they play a crucial role in ensuring they meet your expectations when you buy baskets in bulk.
Seagrass baskets are becoming more and more attractive to any home decor retailer’s product line. It’s only natural, since a lot of people are starting to be more serious about interior decoration, and want to have something both appealing and eco-friendly for home accessories. This article will provide some insight into what you should be knowledgeable of when sourcing wholesale wicker seagrass items from Vietnam. Let’s get into it!
Seagrass – A weaving material
Seagrass/sedge is an aquatic plant that grows in South-East Asian coastal regions. We mostly use grown seagrass from formerly sea-flooded agricultural regions to make woven baskets – No cultivation or nurturing required.
Appearance of seagrass
Once harvested and dried, seagrass has a light brown shade. Smooth, silky, and extremely soft. Seagrass is the most popular material for manufacturing baskets because of its excellent flexibility and durability.
Seagrass, like any other dried plant fiber, absorbs water very well. As a result, the baskets must normally be kept in a cold, dry environment. Seagrass baskets must have a moisture level of between 18% and 22% in order to be exported.
Weaving and coloring styles
Wholesale seagrass baskets can be painted or dyed in various styles to add a unique touch. Seagrass is more suited to dark hues, though they may fade over time. Seagrass can also be painted with a variety of colors, however, the paint tends to deteriorate quite easily under humid environments.
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Vietnamese artisans have a variety of weaving techniques in the manufacturing process.
Here are 7 typical seagrass weaving patterns used to make baskets and other household items, check them out!
Seagrass – Cost of material
As mentioned, seagrass is quite easy and natural to grow, so they cost less to produce than other materials in Northern and Central Vietnam (water hyacinth or rattan). A great amount of raw seagrass can be produced in these regions. If you have a need for wholesale wicker baskets, seagrass is definitely the way to go!
When it comes to baskets, different weaving styles come with different prices, generally, the more complex the higher costs are. Coiled seagrass and wrapped seagrass often have the highest prices, whereas split seagrass is the least expensive.
Wholesale seagrass baskets – How durable are they?
Are wholesale seagrass baskets safe?
Sort of a filler question. Yes, seagrass baskets are no doubt safe for both the environment and your customers. Seagrass grows quickly and is biodegradable. Additionally, hardly any chemicals are used in the production process. Some types of baskets need to be glued in order to be well-shaped and mold-free, and this glue is completely safe for people.
Are wholesale seagrass baskets waterproof & resistant to harsh weather?
No. Indoor usage only. Seagrass baskets will lose their shape and grow mold if they are exposed to too much moisture. In the event seagrass items become wet, let them dry fully in the sun or use drying equipment before storing them in dry warehouses or with dehumidifiers.
How sturdy/durable are wholesale seagrass baskets?
For something from natural braided plant fibers, they are quite sturdy and durable (except when in contact with water of course). A typical seagrass storage basket can hold up to 25 to 30 kg. They are also very attractive with natural golden brown colors.
Are wholesale seagrass baskets easily deformed?
It sort of depends on weaving patterns and supporting structure. Some patterns, including twisted, split, pressed, and braided seagrass, should have iron frames to maintain their shape. Others (such as coiled or wrapped seagrass) create strong, well-shaped baskets without using iron frames.
Things to know before buying seagrass baskets in bulk
Find a trusted seagrass basket manufacturer
Seagrass grows best in Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Vietnamese raw seagrass is exported to Asian neighbors in addition to being used domestically. As a result, these regions have the most suitable wicker suppliers.
If you want high-quality seagrass, we advise working with wholesalers that source items from Nga Son (Thanh Hoa, Vietnam). The seagrass from Nga Son is said to be of the highest quality, with seagrass stems carefully processed, excellent flexibility, and lovely natural brown coloring.
Confirmed that they are well-established. For online research, look through their websites, their Alibaba pages, or rely on supplier directory websites (Yellowpages) or trade data websites (Panjiva, Import Genius).
Read some advice on how to locate reputable wholesale home décor providers!
Plan your orders from harvesting seasons
Severe rain during flood seasons might have an impact on seagrass. In Central Vietnam, floods occur from October to December, resulting in rotting or poor-quality seagrass that cannot be used for manufacturing. That can cause a seagrass shortage throughout these months.
Additionally, it’s important to decide when to buy seagrass baskets in bulk from Vietnam. By placing your purchase at the proper time, you may benefit from lower prices for your wicker seagrass items, quicker manufacturing, and more convenient delivery.
Samples & Lead time for wholesale seagrass baskets
In Vietnam, artisan weavers – villagers make a large portion of seagrass baskets (as opposed to suppliers themselves), which are subsequently gathered and completed by wholesalers. It takes suppliers a few days to calculate and notify you (buyers) of the precise prices since the procedure has to go through quite a number of steps.
The manufacturing time (lead time) for seagrass basket samples varies on the forms, sizes, patterns, and weaving techniques used. Production takes longer the more additional patterns and accessories there are. Among various types of seagrass weaving:
The lead time for creating coiled seagrass is generally the longest while making pressed seagrass is the shortest.
To sum up
Wholesale wicker seagrass baskets can be made from different natural materials, with different processing steps and methods. Seagrass is quite easy to process and weave. Their production time is shorter, and therefore lower in cost compared to other materials
Greenvibe is also a wicker home decor supplier, we have great amounts of wholesale wicker seagrass items with various models and designs.
Check out our wholesale wicker seagrass collection here
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