If you will take time to browse the offers of zippers suppliers, you will surely notice that there are actually a lot of choices available.
But with all these options, there are people who are often left confused when placing their order for zippers. This is why it is important to make yourself familiar with the differences between zippers.
Zippers, for the most part, are used as devices to fasten or close a piece of apparel or a bag. The main difference between today’s zippers lies in their application and teeth.
Below are the common categories of zipper teeth to help you make your decision easily.
Invisible Zippers
Invisible zippers are available in two types. True invisible zippers are most often used in skirts for women. Invisible zippers are sewn into the skirt’s seam to form a clean finish. If you closely look at an invisible zipper, you will see that the zipper tape has pleats that let the sewer to sew all the way to the seam line.
On the other hand, the invisible identical zipper is a type of regular nylon coil zipper oriented backwards to create an invisible look. This type of zipper doesn’t allow you to sew all the way to the seam as there must be room where the slider can move.
Metal Zippers
Metal zippers are available in a few different gauge and finishes. The most common finishes include antique, antique brass, brass, gun metal, and nickel. There are instances that antique copper and copper are also used, but these are definitely not as popular as the rest of the finishes.
Various apparel making industries choose one finish over the other for purposes of how they like the appearance of the final garment will be. Many denim makers, for example, are aware of the abuse jeans will go through and so they settle for a denim zipper.
Nylon Coil Zippers
Nylon coil zippers are made exactly just as how their name suggests. There is a nylon monofilament “coiled” to develop the teeth. It is then sewn on zipper tape to produce the final zipper product.
The luggage and outdoor industry often uses nylon coil zippers. Backpacks, camping apparel, suit cases, and tents most likely feature nylon coil zippers. With the development of nylon coil zippers, it lends itself to have stronger horizontal strength. It is also pretty easy to repair nylon coil zippers if ever a tooth gets out of alignment.
Plastic Molded
A plastic molded zipper is made from acetal polymer extruded through the mold for shaping the teeth. The teeth are symmetrical that means that the slider for the plastic molded zippers can run in both directions. The plastic molded zippers are usually versatile. These zippers are mostly used on apparel and several handbags. This just depends on the appearance of the final design.
There are some who like the “chunky” look of zipper teeth and take this into consideration of the design. They have a decent horizontal strength but if one zipper tooth breaks over time, repairing tooth will be impossible.