Vegan leather thickness guide: 0.35 mm to 0.8 mm

Thickness is the single most useful number when you're choosing vegan leather — it decides whether a piece drapes or stands up, and it's the thing most often guessed wrong. Our range runs roughly 0.35 mm to 0.8 mm. Here's what each weight is actually good for.

Thickness in vegan leather is measured in millimetres, and it behaves the opposite of what beginners expect: thinner is more flexible, thicker is more structured. A thin sheet wraps, gathers and lines beautifully; a thick one holds an edge and stands on its own. Neither is "better" — they're for different jobs.

Thickness at a glance

Thickness	Feel	Best for
0.35 mm	Thin, very flexible	Linings, wrapped edges, bindings, delicate folds, appliqué
0.55 mm	Light, supple	Soft pouches, garment details, flexible bag panels, covers
0.6 mm	Medium, balanced	All-round bag making, accessories, wallets — the safe default
0.7 mm	Firm, some body	Structured panels, straps, box shapes, journal covers
0.8 mm	Substantial, holds shape	Structured bags, sturdy straps, anything that needs to stand up

You can filter our whole range by thickness — 0.35 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm and more.

How to pick the right thickness

Match it to the job, not the whole project

A single bag often uses two thicknesses — a firmer 0.7–0.8 mm for the outer body and straps, a thin 0.35–0.55 mm for the lining and pockets. Don't force one weight to do everything.

Remember your interfacing

Thickness isn't your only source of structure. A medium 0.6 mm backed with a firm interfacing or foam can be stiffer than a bare 0.8 mm. If you already use structure inside, you can go a touch thinner on the material itself for a cleaner finish.

Thinner sews and turns more neatly

When a piece has to be turned right-side-out or gathered — small pouches, curved seams — a thinner weight gives a crisper result with less bulk at the corners. Save the heavy stuff for flat, structured panels.

Does thickness affect durability?

Up to a point. A well-made 0.6 mm PU with a strong backing will outlast a poorly-made 0.8 mm — the backing and coating quality matter as much as raw thickness. For high-stress parts like straps, favour thicker material or laminate two layers together rather than relying on one heavy sheet.

The reliable way to choose

Numbers on a page only get you so far — 0.6 mm in one material can feel firmer than 0.7 mm in another, depending on the backing. The honest answer is to feel a few. Order the colour swatch ring or a sample pack, flex each one, and you'll know instantly which weight suits your project. Then order the exact size, cut to order.