1. The Goyardine Canvas: A Masterpiece in Detail

The heart of a Goyard bag lies in its signature Goyardine canvas. Here's what to scrutinize:

• The Look: the craftsmanship on the Goyard canvas is masterful. Unlike fakes with flat prints, a genuine Goyard boasts a textured Goyardine canvas. This raised effect comes from the unique three-layer hand-screening process. Each layer adds a slight dimension, creating a subtle 3D quality where you can feel the individual dots. The prints should be very sharp with clear-cut lines. All the logos and white dots look very sharp even under a magnifying glass. 

Fake	Real
Too much shine	Matte finish, does not reflect too much light
Edges of the prints are not neat enough, has a spilling-over effect	Very sharp prints with clean edges

• The feel: Goyardine canvas is a coated canvas, offering a subtle texture and a pleasing rigidity. Flimsy or overly stiff canvas is a red flag. Due to the hand-screened nature of the authentic design, the print on the fabric of a real Goyard should feel slightly raised as you should be able to feel the individual bumps of each dot. This is due to the fact that the print has been printed three times, with three different layers on top of each other, creating somewhat of a 3D effect. 

• The Y-print: Examine the chevrons.
• Authentic Ys have oval-shaped points, not round ones.
• The vertical white dots should lean slightly towards the right, with dashes that touch or slightly overlap.
• Look for inconsistencies in the pattern, especially at seams – a telltale sign of a fake.

Using the Goyardine print is a hard way to authenticate especially when you don't have an authentic to compare agains side by side. The brand logo print is an easier authentication point. Most fake products couldn't get it right. 

2. Hardware & Logo: Precision is Key

Goyard's meticulous craftsmanship extends to the hardware and logo:

• The Logo: Inspect the lettering.
• The "Goyard" logo should be in crisp, clean capitals.
• The "Y" should have a thicker left side, and the "G" should have a well-defined base. 
• The "Made in France" should be in a thin, sans-serif font. The middle line of "E" in "Made" should be shorter than the other two lines. 
• Any bleeding or unevenness suggests a fake. It should still be a smooth surface. The fake has a more raised effect on the edges of the letters. 

• The Hardware: Examine clasps, zippers, and D-rings. The hardware should be heavy, well-finished metal, with the Goyard logo engraved precisely. Flimsy or poorly engraved hardware is a giveaway. 

The engravings on the authentic hardware are clear with sharp edges, same depth throughout the logo. Again the engravings on the fake hardware have round edges, deeper at places and shallower elsewhere, a proof of poor machinery or workmanship. In addition, the authentic button is much thinner than the fake one. 

3. Stitching: A Testament to Craftsmanship

Goyard prides itself on impeccable stitching:

• Stitches: Stitches should be tight, even, and consistent throughout the bag. Sloppy, uneven, or loose stitches indicate a fake.

 

4. Serial Number: Demystifying the Code

Goyard uses a discreet serial number for authentication:

• Location:
• Saint Louis and Anjou tote: Look for the serial number embossed on the leather strap connecting the pouch to the tote 

• If there is no pouch, look for it in the interior of the bag.

• The serial number of Goyard Artois is at the back of the leather tap inside the interior pocket

 

• Format: The serial number typically consists of three letters followed by six digits. The font should be clear and clean with minimal spacing between characters.

 

Remember: When in doubt, consult an expert or a trusted reseller. With this knowledge and a keen eye, you'll be well on your way to owning a genuine piece of Goyard history!