Caring for AquaGuard® zippers VISLON® AquaGuard® zipper is a VISLON® water resistant zipper with polyurethane laminated on the tape. The special element design provides enhanced water resistance. This zipper is water repellent, not waterproof/watertight. [Application] Do not use in curved application since slider may cut the tape. Avoid applications where…
There are many options for molded tooth zippers. Here are a few offered by YKK: VISLON® zipper YKK’s VISLON® zipper is made of injected plastic elements, such as polyacetal resin. It is lighter than metal zippers of the same size. Rich element color variations are created by formulating the color…
CONCEAL® Zippers Concealed (also known as “hidden” or “invisible”) zippers are coil zippers where you cannot see the elements because they are behind the tape. Normally, all that is seen is the slider. You might see this zipper in bags, pockets, formal wear, and other garments where a hidden seam…
Have you ever looked at shirt or jacket and noticed that the zipper or the buttons are on the opposite side? Perhaps you’ve bought a new shirt or jacket and have been disoriented by the positioning of these fasteners. An estimated 70 to 95 percent of people in the world…
In spring 2020, when the world came to a halt, millions of people got in touch with their creative side. For recent Marist College graduate Ava Grand, a spark of inspiration ignited her while looking at all the plastic packaging that had accumulated in her New Jersey bedroom. “I was…
Many of us use zippers in our everyday life without thinking much about just how all the parts work together. Whether it’s keeping your jeans or backpack closed or providing an airtight seal on a spacesuit, the structure of a zipper is crucial to its performance. Let’s start with the…
Since YKK manufactures roughly 3 million kilometers worth of zippers every year, some assume we invented this integral apparel product. However, the invention of the zipper predates our company’s founding. This begs the question: Who invented the zipper? Let’s find out! 1851: Elias Howe Jr. and the Unutilized Patent In…
The definition of a two-way zipper is one where you can close or open the zipper from two opposite ends at the same time. There has always been confusion regarding the “two-way” function of a zipper. Is two-way separating generally used for an outerwear jacket application? Or maybe a two-way,…
After gaining a clearer understanding about the difference between water-resistant and waterproof YKK® zippers, the next step is learning about some best applications in the outdoor industry for these zippers. AquaGuard® Water-Resistant Zippers Backpacks For years it has been standard to use regular coil chain in backpacks. But then leaders…
Have you determined that your product needs an invisible zipper but you don’t know which is best? Allow us to introduce you to YKK’s lineup of CONCEAL® zippers, which come in a variety of element/teeth sizes, over 700 colors, and include Dye-to-Match (DTM) capabilities. Our lightest invisible zipper, the #2mm,…
