What Does “Made in Wales” Really Mean? A Guide to Understanding Welsh Product Labels

When shopping for authentic gifts or supporting local businesses, you’ve probably come across a variety of product labels—“Made in Wales”,“Designed in Wales”,“Welsh Design”, and more. While they all sound similar, each label tells a different story about a product's origin, craftsmanship, and connection to Wales.

In this guide, we’ll break down what each label actually means, and share why buying Welsh products makes a real difference.

Made in Wales

This is the gold standard of authenticity. Made in Wales means the product was physically manufactured  in Wales. Add to this handcrafted and now you really do have the cream of the cream as these items are not mass produced, they are individually made by hand. 

 Designed in Wales

The creative concept or visual design was developed in Wales, but the actual manufacturing might be outsourced elsewhere often over seas where production is often cheaper. There are of course products designed and made in Wales, but if only “designed in” is used it usually means made elsewhere.

Welsh Designer

The product is created by a designer of Welsh origin or based in Wales. It may or may not be made in the country, but the creative mind behind it is proudly Welsh.

Welsh Design

The product features a design that is stylistically or culturally Welsh—this could include patterns, symbols, colours, or motifs tied to Welsh identity. It's more about inspiration than location, and these are often both designed and made outside Wales, but there are many Welsh makers that do incorporate Welsh design within their products so this is a descriptor to investigate further and see where the product is made. 

 Welsh Company

The business is registered or headquartered in Wales. This label refers more to the business entity than the actual product, which could be made locally or abroad. Look for further information on the product to see if you can find further information on where it is made, many importers of souvenirs are within this category.

Finished in Wales

The product may be made or partially assembled elsewhere, but it receives its final touches, engraving, assembly, or packaging in Wales. Usually it is not a significant part of the process that is completed in Wales. 

Why Buy Welsh Products?

Buying Welsh-made products isn’t just about owning something beautiful—it's about:

Supporting Local Makers: Every purchase helps sustain small businesses, artists, and craftspeople across Wales.  Often imported products are mass produced in environments that do not meet the standards we would expect and for low pay. Wales has good standards for wages and working conditions. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure we are supporting the makers of Wales. 

Reducing Environmental Impact: Locally made goods reduce carbon emissions from long-distance shipping.  Our environmental standards within Wales are higher than many manufacturing countries with controls over water, air and land pollution as well as waste regulations. 

Preserving Culture: Many products carry unique designs and motifs that reflect Welsh heritage, language, and traditions.  Traditional skills are kept alive through us purchasing Welsh products, for example traditional weaving skills used to create traditional Welsh blankets. 

High Quality: Welsh artisans take pride in their craft—expect durable, well-made goods with a personal touch.

 Final Thoughts

Next time you're shopping for gifts, home décor, or personal treats, take a second look at those product labels. Whether it's proudly *Made in Wales* or creatively *Designed by a Welsh designer*, each label tells a different story. And when you buy Welsh, you’re investing in a country rich in heritage, heart, and handcrafted quality. If you are not sure and want to know more about where a product comes from, just ask the retailer as they often know the story behind the product as well as where its made.