Skin Replacement Service Information
The skin replacement service is performed by experts who have replaced the skins on over 1,000 cameras.
Generally, skins are manufactured after ordering (please refer to the production period below when ordering). Once manufactured, the replacement process takes approximately 2-3 hours. This time includes removing the existing skin and attaching the new one.
Due to the limited staff available for skin replacement, the increased workload, and the fact that even 2-3 skin replacements can consume an entire day's work time, we have inevitably decided to charge for this service. We ask for your understanding.
.
For products that are sold without installation, we recommend self-removal and installation. We share videos of self-replacement for various models on our YouTube channel below.
'Arte di mano youtube'
.
To ease your burden, our paid installation service is offered in two forms:
1. Existing skin removal and new skin installation service
(round-trip shipping fee not included)
Working cost: USD 50.00
Estimated work time (excluding skin manufacturing time):
1-5 days (after shipping receipt) / approximately 3 hours (on-site visit after reservation, excluding lunch break)
Simply send us your camera in its current condition.
As shown in the example video, we'll cleanly remove the existing skin and then attach a new one.
.
2. Skin installation only service
(round-trip shipping fee not included)
Working cost: USD 20.00
Estimated work time (excluding skin manufacturing time):
1-2 days (after shipping receipt) / approximately 1 hours (on-site visit after reservation, excluding lunch break)
This service involves removing the existing skin as thoroughly as possible beforehand, and only then applying it.
Since removing the skin takes more time, we can provide a more reasonable price and a more thorough application by removing it in advance.
However, the skin must be completely removed. Depending on the condition of the skin, any remaining residue may affect the quality of the new skin.
If the skin is severely damaged, additional work may be required. Depending on the severity, the price may vary between USD 20.00 and 50.00.
Instructions for Using the Skin Replacement Service
When requesting the skin replacement service, we will contact you upon completion of the skin production. You can either ship it via courier (customer responsible for shipping costs / delivery takes 1-5 days after delivery) or schedule a visit with the technician if you prefer same-day pickup (approximately 3 hours depending on the work).
For film cameras, the film must be removed before delivery (no compensation will be provided for this). If you are requesting only installation service, the existing skin must be thoroughly removed before delivery.
"Clean removal" means "no adhesive or foreign matter layers that affect the overall thickness, and no roughness to the touch."
If any layers remain that affect the overall thickness, it will affect the overall fit, and any foreign matter may be visible on the surface of the leather.
For international shipping, the buyer is responsible for both round-trip shipping costs and must follow the pre-determined shipping procedures. (For overseas shipping, you will be responsible for all taxes, customs fees, and other additional costs incurred when shipping using a method/service other than those we provide. Please be sure to contact us before shipping.)
.
General Information About Skins
The original skins that come standard with Leica cameras are not real leather. They are made of plastic (Volcanite) with a leather pattern imprinted on it, or faux leather coated over fabric. As such, they can peel, shrink, harden, and crack over time.
The skins provided by Arte di mano are made from 100% natural leather, the same leather used in our products. We primarily use leathers of the highest quality, often used by global high-end brands. This ensures they don't deform even after long-term use, retaining a stylish appearance.
Furthermore, the skins are attached using a special adhesive film manufactured by 3M, rather than glue or adhesive. This provides excellent adhesion and leaves virtually no residue when removed.
Furthermore, because the leathers we use in our products are color-coordinated with other products, such as straps and cases, they offer the added advantage of being able to be created as a set.
* Note
Basically, skins are meticulously crafted with a tolerance of 0.05mm, typically based on a standard camera, through approximately 20 or more revisions. Furthermore, since we use real leather, not synthetic materials, thickness adjustment is essential. This tolerance of 0.05mm is also necessary for creating the skins.
Our workshop, with its in-depth understanding of various leathers, handles all processes, from thickness adjustment to pattern cutting, in-house, using specialized equipment. This allows for this level of craftsmanship. However, this very limitation is the reason why Leica and other companies cannot use various leathers for skins. Conversely, it is also why our skins are so popular in the global market.
While we work within this very precise tolerance and make every effort to compensate during the application process, tolerances do exist. Even in our own work, and even in new Leica products, gaps and deviations can occur.
Furthermore, variations exist not only in skin manufacturing but also in camera manufacturing. Manufacturing variations are particularly significant for classic models compared to more recent models. Furthermore, variations often occur over decades of use, storage, and repair.
While we do our best to compensate for these variations during installation, we do not offer customization or pattern modifications to individual models.
However, since original skins are usually black and the camera body itself is also black, these gaps and variations are not easily noticeable. However, please note that when selecting a new skin, especially one with a bright color, these variations may be more noticeable.
You can see more of my new work on my Instagram or Facebook page.
Working period
All of our works is based on Order to made system. And period is depend on the kind of product.
Bags : About 6-12 weeks usually.
Camera cases : About 7-10 weeks usually.
Camera straps & small goods : About 7-10 weeks usually.
Leather skins : About 4-6 weeks usually.
Shipping
We use Fedex shipping service with tracking number. It take about 3-5 business days usually.
Tax & Duty.
Tax or Duty are not included in price. Tax and Duty will be decide by your local custom and it is just on your treat. If you need any other help about this, please contact us before order.
We refuse any type of return because of Tax or Duty, in this case you just can get a refund except all kind of cost.
Return policy.
If there is quality issue or something wrong about order detail, we will do our best to solve the problem and we will accept return and refund. But because it is order to made product, we do not accept return or refund without quality issue.
Payment.
We accept paypal payment. If you need bank transfer, please contact us by email.
Change order detail.
Basically after order, you can't change order detail. Just if we do not start the work about the part that you request, we can arrange it as your request. If you need any help about changing, please let me know. And then we will check it but we just can't sure the order can change as your request.
Skin Replacement Service Information
The skin replacement service is performed by experts who have replaced the skins on over 1,000 cameras.
Generally, skins are manufactured after ordering (please refer to the production period below when ordering). Once manufactured, the replacement process takes approximately 2-3 hours. This time includes removing the existing skin and attaching the new one.
Due to the limited staff available for skin replacement, the increased workload, and the fact that even 2-3 skin replacements can consume an entire day's work time, we have inevitably decided to charge for this service. We ask for your understanding.
.
For products that are sold without installation, we recommend self-removal and installation. We share videos of self-replacement for various models on our YouTube channel below.
'Arte di mano youtube'
.
To ease your burden, our paid installation service is offered in two forms:
1. Existing skin removal and new skin installation service
(round-trip shipping fee not included)
Working cost: USD 50.00
Estimated work time (excluding skin manufacturing time):
1-5 days (after shipping receipt) / approximately 3 hours (on-site visit after reservation, excluding lunch break)
Simply send us your camera in its current condition.
As shown in the example video, we'll cleanly remove the existing skin and then attach a new one.
.
2. Skin installation only service
(round-trip shipping fee not included)
Working cost: USD 20.00
Estimated work time (excluding skin manufacturing time):
1-2 days (after shipping receipt) / approximately 1 hours (on-site visit after reservation, excluding lunch break)
This service involves removing the existing skin as thoroughly as possible beforehand, and only then applying it.
Since removing the skin takes more time, we can provide a more reasonable price and a more thorough application by removing it in advance.
However, the skin must be completely removed. Depending on the condition of the skin, any remaining residue may affect the quality of the new skin.
If the skin is severely damaged, additional work may be required. Depending on the severity, the price may vary between USD 20.00 and 50.00.
Instructions for Using the Skin Replacement Service
When requesting the skin replacement service, we will contact you upon completion of the skin production. You can either ship it via courier (customer responsible for shipping costs / delivery takes 1-5 days after delivery) or schedule a visit with the technician if you prefer same-day pickup (approximately 3 hours depending on the work).
For film cameras, the film must be removed before delivery (no compensation will be provided for this). If you are requesting only installation service, the existing skin must be thoroughly removed before delivery.
"Clean removal" means "no adhesive or foreign matter layers that affect the overall thickness, and no roughness to the touch."
If any layers remain that affect the overall thickness, it will affect the overall fit, and any foreign matter may be visible on the surface of the leather.
For international shipping, the buyer is responsible for both round-trip shipping costs and must follow the pre-determined shipping procedures. (For overseas shipping, you will be responsible for all taxes, customs fees, and other additional costs incurred when shipping using a method/service other than those we provide. Please be sure to contact us before shipping.)
.
General Information About Skins
The original skins that come standard with Leica cameras are not real leather. They are made of plastic (Volcanite) with a leather pattern imprinted on it, or faux leather coated over fabric. As such, they can peel, shrink, harden, and crack over time.
The skins provided by Arte di mano are made from 100% natural leather, the same leather used in our products. We primarily use leathers of the highest quality, often used by global high-end brands. This ensures they don't deform even after long-term use, retaining a stylish appearance.
Furthermore, the skins are attached using a special adhesive film manufactured by 3M, rather than glue or adhesive. This provides excellent adhesion and leaves virtually no residue when removed.
Furthermore, because the leathers we use in our products are color-coordinated with other products, such as straps and cases, they offer the added advantage of being able to be created as a set.
* Note
Basically, skins are meticulously crafted with a tolerance of 0.05mm, typically based on a standard camera, through approximately 20 or more revisions. Furthermore, since we use real leather, not synthetic materials, thickness adjustment is essential. This tolerance of 0.05mm is also necessary for creating the skins.
Our workshop, with its in-depth understanding of various leathers, handles all processes, from thickness adjustment to pattern cutting, in-house, using specialized equipment. This allows for this level of craftsmanship. However, this very limitation is the reason why Leica and other companies cannot use various leathers for skins. Conversely, it is also why our skins are so popular in the global market.
While we work within this very precise tolerance and make every effort to compensate during the application process, tolerances do exist. Even in our own work, and even in new Leica products, gaps and deviations can occur.
Furthermore, variations exist not only in skin manufacturing but also in camera manufacturing. Manufacturing variations are particularly significant for classic models compared to more recent models. Furthermore, variations often occur over decades of use, storage, and repair.
While we do our best to compensate for these variations during installation, we do not offer customization or pattern modifications to individual models.
However, since original skins are usually black and the camera body itself is also black, these gaps and variations are not easily noticeable. However, please note that when selecting a new skin, especially one with a bright color, these variations may be more noticeable.
You can see more of my new work on my Instagram or Facebook page.
Working period
All of our works is based on Order to made system. And period is depend on the kind of product.
Bags : About 6-12 weeks usually.
Camera cases : About 7-10 weeks usually.
Camera straps & small goods : About 7-10 weeks usually.
Leather skins : About 4-6 weeks usually.
Shipping
We use Fedex shipping service with tracking number. It take about 3-5 business days usually.
Tax & Duty.
Tax or Duty are not included in price. Tax and Duty will be decide by your local custom and it is just on your treat. If you need any other help about this, please contact us before order.
We refuse any type of return because of Tax or Duty, in this case you just can get a refund except all kind of cost.
Return policy.
If there is quality issue or something wrong about order detail, we will do our best to solve the problem and we will accept return and refund. But because it is order to made product, we do not accept return or refund without quality issue.
Payment.
We accept paypal payment. If you need bank transfer, please contact us by email.
Change order detail.
Basically after order, you can't change order detail. Just if we do not start the work about the part that you request, we can arrange it as your request. If you need any help about changing, please let me know. And then we will check it but we just can't sure the order can change as your request.
