Guides
How to Choose Elastic Tape for Production
Parameters that determine the comfort, durability and repeatability of the flexible component.
Define how the elastic tape will perform in the finished product
Elastic tape in the waist of trousers, underwear, stabilizer, shoe or advertising element works in a different way. Determine how often it will stretch, what length is needed, whether it touches the skin, and how it will be sewn or combined with other materials.
Dimensions given without context are not enough. Besides width and thickness, the force needed to stretch, return after stress relief and behavior after a certain number of cycles is important.
Knitted, woven or jacquard
Elastic tape knitted can be soft and fit well into light clothing. Weaving structures allow you to get a more stable, compact component. Jacquard elastic tape combines flexibility with a woven logo or pattern, which is why it can be an exposed element of the collection.
The final effect depends not only on the technology, but also on yarn, the share of elastic threads, density and finish. The product group name is the beginning of the conversation, not the full specification.
Stretch, recovery and comfort
Two elastic tapes can achieve a similar maximum extension and yet give a different feeling. It is important to carry out force throughout the operating range and how fast the material returns to the original dimension.
When contacting skin, evaluate edges, surfaces, seams and possible logos. In the laundry or intensively used product, it is worth checking after cycles corresponding to real use.
- Width and thickness after relaxation
- Range of work stretch
- Force at indicated length
- Return after cycles and acceptable deformation
- Resistance required by the finished product
Sample before volume production
Sew the sample into a prototype and evaluate the whole system, not a loose section. The sewing method, thread tension, tunnel and other layers of material change the work of elastic tape.
Attach application, dimensions, expected extension, colour, pattern or logo, volume and packaging requirements to the query. If the component replaces the existing component, a reference sample is helpful.
Frequently asked questions
Can jacquard elastic tape have a logo?
Yes. The pattern is created in the product structure. The readability depends on the width, repeatability of the motif, number of colours and constructions.
How do you determine the span needed?
It is best to specify the free dimension, working dimension and strength at which the element is to work. The manufacturer can then prepare variants for the test.
Is it enough to test a loose episode?
Not always. For a reliable assessment of elastic tape it is also worth checking after stitching into a prototype, because the design of the finished product affects its behaviour.