Aside from the specific type of material used during the manufacturing process, the zipper used can also make or break a handbag. But, it might seem a bit tricky to choose the suitable type of zippers for your handbags, especially for beginners due to the extensive selection available in the market right now.
To help you reach a wise decision, there are several important factors you need to keep in mind when shopping for handbag zippers.
The Specific Type of Zipper You Need or Want
Zippers today are made of different materials such as plastic, coil, and metal. Your choice of the zipper will vary according to the specific application where it is required. Metal zippers are best for daily wear products such as footwear and handbags. Meanwhile, coil zippers are recommended for office wear such as blouses and skirts, and plastic zippers are best used for raincoats, down jackets, and sportswear.
The Type of Slider to Choose
Non-locking sliders and locking sliders are the two main types of sliders that are based on the locking mechanisms.
Locking sliders are characterized by the mechanism placed within them that helps make the zipper stay in place unless the pull tab has been pulled. This type of slider is more suitable for garments such as sportswear, jackets, and others. However, these are not really recommended to be used on handbags.
Non-locking sliders can slide freely along the zipper chain without getting locked. These sliders are best used for handbags to let the user open or close the handbags faster and easier.
Zipper Chains vs. Finished Zippers
Zippers are also available in either zipper chains or finished zippers. Finished zippers refer to the pre-cut and readymade ones with a certain length in which all of the basic elements are installed. The zipper manufacturer only needs to attach the zippers to the final product.
These are not recommended for handbags even if they are easy to use. It is because their pre-cut length can restrain the manufacturers from using these zippers in different kinds of handbags.
Zipper chains, on the other hand, are most often used since these could be cut in a flexible way according to their specific or intended use.
Two-way Closed-End Zippers vs. One-way Closed-End Zippers
Zippers are categorized into closed-end and open-end zippers according to their functions.
Both halves of open-end zippers can come apart completely and are recommended for jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, and other similar types of garments. Closed-end zippers are best used for products wherein only a partial opening is required such as handbags, pants, luggage, tents, and footwear.
Closed-end zippers can be classified according to the number of sliders that were used, and these include two-way closed-end zippers and one-way closed-end zippers. Based on their name, one-way closed-end zippers are installed with a single slider while two-way closed-end zippers are installed with two sliders. These two types can both be seen on handbags. But, the two-way variety can be more commonly seen on luggage and bags with a longer opening.
ZipperShipper.com is the best place to go when shopping for zippers not only for handbags but also for other garments and clothing.
