Essential Knowledge for Purchasing Zippers: A Comprehensive Guide
Zippers are widely used in clothing, bags, tents, and other everyday items. This guide aims to provide in-depth knowledge on selecting high-quality zippers, making it particularly useful for purchasing managers, business owners, and designers in the textile and apparel industry.
Understanding Zippers: Composition and Structure
1. Tape: The tape should be evenly dyed without stains or damage, and should feel soft. It should exhibit a wave-like pattern in both vertical and horizontal directions.
2. Teeth: The teeth must be smooth, providing a seamless and noise-free operation.
3. Slider: The self-locking slider should operate smoothly, securing firmly without slipping.
4. Top and Bottom Stops:
- Top Stop: It should tightly secure the first tooth (whether metal or nylon) without exceeding a 1mm gap, ensuring durability.
- Bottom Stop: It should firmly grip the teeth, maintaining integrity.
Color Migration Issues
Polyester tapes dyed with disperse dyes can experience color migration when in contact with plasticizers, adhesives, or oils found in materials like PVC or synthetic leather. Despite anti-migration treatments, severe conditions (e.g., contrasting dark zippers on light fabrics) can still cause migration. Preventive measures include placing a paper layer between products during storage.
Discoloration of Metal Zippers
1. Oxidation: Metal zippers made from copper alloys can oxidize, especially when in contact with certain chemicals in leather tanning agents or wool processing bleaches, leading to blackening.
2. Sulfur Compounds: Rubber bands containing sulfur compounds can cause metal teeth to darken due to sulfurization.
3. Protective Measures: To prevent discoloration, wrap the zipper head with protective paper.
Proper Laundry Procedures
1. Zipper Closure: Ensure zippers are fully closed before washing or drying to prevent entanglement and potential damage to both the zipper and other items.
2. Laundry Net: Use a laundry net for garments with long or slim pull-tabs to avoid damage during washing.
3. Temperature: Do not operate zippers until the garment has cooled to normal temperature post-drying.
4. Detergents: Avoid strong alkaline detergents or chlorinated bleach, as they can impair zipper functionality. Use softeners or wax to restore smoothness if needed.
5. Pre-soaking: Do not presoak garments with zippers, as it can cause significant damage.
Proper Ironing Procedures
1. Temperature Adherence: Follow the specified ironing temperature based on the zipper material to maintain quality.
2. Zipper Positioning: Ensure the zipper is fully closed, and the slider pull-tab is in its regular position before ironing. Use ironing fabric to protect the zipper.
3. Direct Ironing: Avoid direct ironing on elements or sliders to prevent damage.
Zipper Type Ironing Temperature |
CONCEALR® 160°C
FLATKNIT® 150°C
Plastic-Molded Zipper 130°C
Coil Zipper 160°C
Handling Zipper Jams
1. Gentle Handling: If the zipper gets stuck on fabric, gently pull the fabric away from the slider before attempting to move the slider back. Avoid excessive force.
2. Sewing Considerations: Ensure smooth sewing around zippers to prevent jamming.
3. Proper Usage: Fully open zippers before wearing or removing garments, and secure buttons or hooks before zipping for smoother operation.
Special Considerations
1. Water Wash Requirements: Specify if garments require water washing on the order, ensuring pre-shrinking of fabrics to prevent post-wash zipper puckering.
2. Color Matching and Blocking: If color blocking is required, note it on the order and use paper strips to prevent color transfer, especially in coated fabrics during transportation.
Important Tips for Selecting Zippers
1. Product Application: Specify the intended product use (e.g., luggage, footwear, ski wear, rainwear, washable denim, acidic leather goods) and any special requirements.
2. Material Requirements: Indicate requirements for azo-free, nickel-free zippers, or those detectable by needle detectors.
Zippers are a critical component in apparel and accessories, with their quality directly impacting the final product. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of zipper selection, ensuring high-quality procurement and improved product performance.
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