A little extra care in the ordering of zippers can save a lot of trouble for everybody concerned. Because we custom make each order, it is impossible to alter the requirements once it is in production. Given below is a checklist of technical and commercial requirements that should be kept in mind before ordering zippers. Go ahead – print it!

Type of Zipper

Specify whether the zipper is metallic, plastic, LFC or CFC, #3 or #5, closed end or open end, woven or knitted (in case of invisible zippers).

Type of Slider

Specify whether autolock, pinlock or no-lock sliders are required. If you need custom pullers, be sure to tell us that!

Color

Specify whether the color is from the standard shade card or from some other reference. Is color approval required before production?

Length

Assess the correct requirement from the garment. Make sure the length corresponds to the type of zipper measurement. For instance, in the case of a close-ended zipper, length should be measured from top of the top stop to the bottom of the bottom stop. For an open-ended zipper, length should be measured from top of the top stop to the bottom of the box & pin.

Quantity

Specify quantity required by type, color and size.

Finish

This specification is particularly important for metal zippers, where several finishes to the zipper slider are possible.

Delivery Date

Make sure both supplier and buyer are clear about the delivery date.

Special Requirements

AZO free, nickle free, heavy metal free and other such requirements must be specified in advance.

Tips about Hassle-Free Washing

• Industrial washing, particularly harsh washes, are designed to give the garment or fabric a rugged or ‘worn down’ look. As a result, a zipper, which is typically sown on to the garment before washing, also gets affected.
• DO: close the zipper fully, and tack the top before industrial washing. Failure to do this will result in damage to the slider or the teeth of the zipper.
• DO: immediately move washed garments from one sub-process to the next. Leaving garments in wet condition with chemicals on them can result in unforeseen tarnishing of the chain or the slider.
• DO: Always test samples for washing before washing bulk, particularly for fluorescent colors, as fluorescent dye-stuff can sometimes react with brass to cause stains. To avoid stains on body of garment, keep zipper closed and covered.

Potential Problems

• Black / green / blue tarnishing seen on Brass parts of zipper: These are copper oxides and chlorides formed due to reaction with washing chemicals.
• White powder seen on zinc parts: These are zinc oxides, and harmless to humans. Can be easily brushed off the zipper with a moist brush. To avoid white powder, don’t leave garments in wet condition after bleaching / scouring.
• Broken Puller: Long pullers should be tacked down or tied before washing. Consider using a snap-lock zipper instead of auto lock zippers.
• Broken Teeth: This is a problem seen if the top of the garment is not tacked, and there are forces pulling the zipper apart. Always tack on the top of the garment before washing.
• Green deposit on slider seen after sulfur dyeing: Sulfur dyeing is a very harsh process, and there is no way to avoid these deposits on brass and zinc parts. Extent of deposits can be reduced by ensuring garments are swiftly neutralized and dried after each step.

• Do not use without appropriate presser foot.
• Use a light fabric fly covering the coil of the zipper from inside to prevent direct contact of the coil with the skin
• Consider using fusing for light / stretch fabrics to stabilize the seam.
• For lined garments, lining should be provided up to 5 mm short of seam.
• Lining should stop short of the fold area when used with lightweight fabrics, pay special attention to ensure that the fabric does not interfere with the slider movement.
• Use a hook and eye or snap on the inside of the dress at the top stop end while attaching invisible zipper in a garment.
• Take special care when stitching over seams or on garments with embroidery or embellishments to make sure slider has free track to move.
• Provide a V-notch at the seam to reduce seam thickness.