Hanji leather is a leather-like material made using hanji, traditional Korean paper produced from mulberry bark. At HLK, we use it to create lightweight card wallets with a subtly crinkled texture, designed and made in Korea.
Paper may not be the first material you imagine carrying in your pocket. For us, that unexpected connection is part of its appeal: a familiar Korean material, reimagined for everyday use.
What is hanji leather?
Hanji leather starts with hanji and is processed into a leather-like material that can be cut, stitched and folded into accessories. Its gently crinkled surface gives each piece a slightly different character.
Hanji itself is traditional Korean paper made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. For centuries, it has been used to cover windows, line walls and preserve the written word. Hanji leather brings that material tradition into a different form.
Why does HLK use hanji leather for card wallets?
Lightness came first. We wanted a wallet that carries the essentials without adding unnecessary bulk. Hanji leather gives our card holders structure while keeping them light, with a texture that feels distinct from conventional leather.
The material is a vegan alternative to leather. For us, its appeal is also in its character: the quiet texture, the slight irregularity and the connection to Korean craft.
Korean craft, contemporary design
We are drawn to the understated qualities of Korean craft. Think of the soft, slightly uneven curve of a moon jar: simple at first glance, with more to notice the longer you look. Hanji leather brings that same sensibility to an everyday object.
HLK is a Korean designer brand based in Daegu, a city with a long history in Korea's textile industry. Our pieces are designed, sourced and made in Korea. Working with hanji is one way we explore what Korean materials can become today. Read more about this approach in What is Korean is What is Most Global.
From paper, back to the page
This autumn, we also made a hanji leather bookmark, finished with a hand-tied knot and a tassel. We liked the idea of a material that began as paper finding its way back into a book, a small object for the quiet moment when you return to a page.
Explore HLK's hanji leather card wallets
For a compact wallet, the Sami Flip Card Wallet opens into three accordion-style card slots, with an outer pocket for bills and receipts.
Prefer to keep your hands free? The Sami Flip Crossbody Wallet carries your essentials on a strap, for days when you want to travel light.
Frequently asked questions about hanji leather
Is hanji leather the same as ordinary paper?
No. Hanji leather uses traditional Korean paper as its starting point, but is processed into a leather-like material that can be folded, cut and stitched into accessories.
Is hanji leather a type of vegan leather?
Yes. Vegan leather is a broad term for alternatives to animal leather. Hanji leather is one such material, distinguished by its use of hanji, traditional Korean mulberry paper.
What does hanji leather look like?
Hanji leather has a subtly crinkled surface, with slight variations from piece to piece. These details are part of the material's character.
Which HLK wallets use hanji leather?
The Sami Flip Card Wallet and Sami Flip Crossbody Wallet use hanji leather. The card wallet has three accordion-style card slots and an outer pocket; the crossbody version adds a strap for hands-free carrying.
Where are HLK pieces made?
HLK pieces are designed, sourced and made in Korea. The brand is based in Daegu.
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