artisanalement

Artisanalement is an adverb in French used to describe something produced or performed by artisanal methods—usually by hand or with limited machinery and traditional techniques—rather than through large-scale industrial processes. It relates to the broader concept of artisanal, which emphasizes craft and skilled workmanship.

Its typical characteristics include small production scale, deliberate craftsmanship, use of local or traditional materials, longer production times, and a preference for technique over automation. Product quality, uniqueness, and the visible traces of handwork are often highlighted.

Because it is widely employed as a marketing descriptor, artisanalement can signal authenticity, sustainability, and local provenance in fields such as food, textiles, cosmetics, and furniture. Definitions vary and the term can be used loosely, raising questions about standards and transparency.

Historically, the concept aligns with craft movements and the Slow Movement, which advocate for local production, artisanal skills, and a slower pace of consumption. In French media and commerce, phrases like fabriqué artisanalement appear on labels to convey manual or small-batch production.

See also: artisanal, handmade, craft, small-batch, slow food.