DSF

Trying to work out when a product can legally be classed as "Made in England" (or Britain/UK)
what constitutes made?
Having a search round some business and legal forums, it seems that something can be deemed as "made in ..." if the final production, assembly or finishing happens in the country of origin specified, and/or if that final process adds significant value to the product.

So, mugs, for example - main component part, made in China/Thailand,imported to UK, and then a design printed onto it, using inks and paper also imported probably from China, with machinery of similar origin, which significantly changes the appearance of the product although does not alter its use or function in any way. This artwork being added to the mug does significantly raise the value of the product - before printing, cost about £1, after printing around £10.

Legally it seems that this could be classed as "made in England", and I would love to be able to brand all our products as such, but it does not sit easy with me. We'd love to still be able to source UK made sublimation mugs, but those days seem long gone. I'm not sure if the public would agree a mug manufactured in Thailand, and then printed on in England is "made in England" either.

If we go to another product - clothing - if we import a roll of fabric from China, and then print on it, cut and sew it into a garment, then I think people would be happier having it classed as "made in England" as they would perceive there to be more "making" happening compared to just printing a design.

What do others here think?
Anyone else got any experience or looked into this before?

It is really the same argument I get when wanting to go to craft shows with the mugs etc. Just because I 'only' decorate them, so they say, I cannot claim that they are a craft item, because I have not made the mug.

Yet there are of course others who say because I have decorated them, and therefore significantly changed the appearance, from bog standard white, say, to something colourful, then they are a craft item!

James

its wired James as people who paint pottery are classed as craft

From what I understand pisquee you are correct in that place of final finishing is important. I did hear (though have no evidence to back it up) that a shirt maker boasted about being made in the uk, but all they did was get them manufactured overseas but sew on the buttons here! I would think it would be hard now for most products to be made using purely UK 'materials'.

James - I do lots of craft shows and if pushed use the argument that does an artist / photographer make their own paper / mounts / frames / glazing for frames etc? But it does depend on how strict the organisers are.

Neil.

Yes, I have made that argument Neil, but it really depends on if your face fits me thinks.

One show I was turned down for, I went along as a punter and had a look round, someone was selling mugs, not anything like the ones I sell, they were in amongst a load of other items, also others were selling obviously bought in stuff. When I pointed this out to the organiser, 'Oh she has decorated them', and I don't I said to her, with that I was told, not asked but told, to leave. I did point out that as the event was open to the general public and was not a private event that could not force me out, but I was going anyway and would make sure friends know to avoid the event!

James

James, I think you hit the nail on the head with 'if your face fits'. Sounds like the organiser of the event you describe was a bit put out at being found out! Best off away from organisers like that in my opinion (and letting others know about them)!

Neil.

Mind you for that one, they seem to be just chitter chatting, customers were few and very far between.

The other problem was parking, there was none unless you went onto a meter, so for me it priced itself out straight away.

That is the problem with many of these events in this area, the cost of parking often makes it not worth while.

James

From our experience, the only people making money from craft shows/events are the organisers, so we're now very picky about which ones we sign up for. The worst we've seen recently was charging more than the going rate for a stall at a London market, when they were fare away from the capitol, and you also had to pay an admin fee for even putting an application in.

Agree wit you 100% on that.

One I went to they wanted £45 just for a few hours, and it was a complete flop. To say it was bad, they also had a burger man there and he only sold one, yes I did say one, burger, now if a food outlet is struggling it must be bad, I cancelled the rest of the series of bookings and then shortly afterwards they cancelled the rest of the rest of the series of events themselves!

James

What do you guys consider to be acceptable in price wise? We are paying around £100 for a day at a country show for a pitch of approx 6m x 6m which I consider to be pretty reasonable.