Zippers
When applying an iron to the zipper, be sure to cover it with a cloth. Be cautious of the zipper’s heat tolerance (and the heat tolerance of the product itself). Please refer to “precautions on zippers use”.
Please avoid bundling with rubber band for prolonged storage.
When sewing, if the stitching is too close to the elements, the slider will not have enough space to move, impeding its operation. Be careful to allow enough space.
If the zipper catches because the fabric used is too thin or soft, you should put in a stitch or core to reinforce it.
Please refer to “precautions on zippers use”
Please avoid using DP sliders where sharp points may cause injury. DP sliders are especially not recommended for use in babies’ and kids’ products.
Special products/features, such as plastic stops, are available for babies’ and kids’ products. Contact YKK representatives for more details.
For zippers that go through stone/enzyme washes, YZiP® with GS and GA sliders are generally preferable compared to the standard-type metal zippers.
Metal parts may corrode depending on their storage conditions. There is a risk of the corroded parts staining the product, so products should be kept at low humidity, avoiding hermetically sealed storage in plastic bags or cardboard boxes and allowing some breathability in storage. (Please also be aware of the effects of NOX.)
The use of cleaning products containing fluorine, or contact with fabric on which such cleaning products have been used, causes metal parts to become discolored. Please be cautious of this.
Wool and feathered products are susceptible to residual chemicals such as bleach, causing the metal part of the zipper to react and become discolored or corroded in storage. Neutralize adequately, and select items not easily susceptible to the effects of residual chemicals such as VISLON® zippers and coated sliders.
Repeated dry cleaning or high-temperature drying without closing the zipper will cause it to bend. Be sure to close the zipper before washing, drying or dry cleaning.
D65 is the standard light source for all standard colors of the YKK Color Card. Please match your fabric color with the YKK color card under the D65 light source of the light box. The selection of light sources other than D65 for color matching with standard colors (YKK Color Card) may result in a color difference problem between the dyed zipper and garment fabric due to metamerism– an obvious change in color of material subjected to different lighting.
Aluminum alloy zippers are used in some applications because they are light-weight,
but special care should be taken due to its nature. Below are the main 3 reasons.
1. Elements Dissolving
Jackets and pants are frequently subject to washing at their finishing process.
Aluminum is weak to alkaline and it is reported that strong alkaline solvents may melt the elements of aluminum.
Extra attention should be paid when chemicals as acids are used.
Also make sure to rinse out those chemicals thoroughly and immediately.
2. Migration and Staining
Since aluminum is vulnerable to friction, metal dust is scraped off when operating zippers, which may stain the garment.
Extra attention should be paid when aluminum alloy zippers are used for the light colored fabrics to prevent migration and staining.
3. Elements Wearing Out
Since the friction of the element occurs even when the slider is opened and closed,
it cannot be used in combination with copper alloy sliders such as GA or GS which hardness is higher than zinc alloy sliders such as DA.
It is recommended to use the item “YAN”, which is an anodized aluminum alloy zippers with improved durability.
More in detail, Please observe on precautions for proper use of the aluminum alloy zippers, which are introduced in YKK Zipper Usage Instruction Manual P.25.
Plastic Hardware
We have products certified by bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. For further information please contact your sales representative.
For further information please contact your sales representative.
Products such as buckles that are comprised of a combination of two or more parts should be stored with their constituent parts fixed firmly together. Due to the inherent characteristics of resin materials, deformation or accidents caused by detachment (unbuckling) may result from the long-term storage of these products while under load in an irregular position.
Buckles become fragile in cold places, such as snowy mountains. Be careful to avoid contact with hard surfaces, such as stone. The buckle will become damaged when exposed to greater-than-standard loads. Please consult with our sales representatives to confirm the standard strength of our products.
Plastic buckles are made of thermoplastic. Use at high temperatures over 100°C causes deformation.
There is no risk of this happening; the color agent is kneaded into the plastic material.
YKK’s cord stoppers use plastic springs to avoid interference with metal detectors and to ensure light weight. Plastic springs sometimes change shape to fit the cord size. This is called creep. You can restore strength by correcting the spring shape after taking out the cord. Cord stoppers that utilize resin springs become weaker when the cord is left inside the spring for an extended period. This phenomenon— called “creep”—is unique to resins. Strength can be restored by taking out the cord and correcting the plug’s feet with your finger.
No, it is not. New plastic buckles sometimes have flushing at an invisible level. It will become smooth after 5-10 in-out operations.
Please clean using a brush or wet cloth.
YKK buckles are primarily made of polyacetal resin or polyamide resin. Please be careful in the presence of chemicals such as acids or alkalis, ensuring that the buckles do not come into contact with them. Please always take care during outdoor use. Sun light or UV radiation causes loss of performance and surface cracking after 1-2 years, depending on the color.
Different webbing materials, types and thicknesses result in different measured values. Please test and check the condition before item selection.
Please refer to the “Item Variation” column on each item page and choose the correct size that corresponds to the width of the webbing.
We have some standard colors. Also, DTM colors are available; please contact our sales representatives for more details.
Hook & Loop
Depending on the application, select and combine the hook tape (A side/1Q or 1F) and loop tape (B side/2Q or 2F) that matches your size and standard requirements.
Methods include sewing, using adhesives, and welding, depending on the application and material.
White/light-colored products may turn yellow if stored in long-term inventory or exposed to light.
When ironing, iron on the reverse side, or apply a patch of cloth so that the iron does not come into direct contact with the hook or loop.
When washing, close the fastener by attaching the hook tape (A side/1Q or 1F) to the loop tape (B side/2Q or 2F), or put the item in a laundry net.
The bond strength of nylon fasteners decreases in high humidity (90% relative humidity or higher) or underwater, so if your product will be used in high humidity/underwater conditions, you should use the fastener over as large an area as possible, or design your product using our polyester fasteners.
Adhesive products are affected by the material they are attached to, their load, and the environment in which they are used, so conduct tests beforehand.
Snap & Button
The best foundation is two plies of fabric plus one ply of interlining.
If the interlining is not sewn into the base fabric, the fabric around the snap fasteners may tear after a small number of open/close actions. Ensure that the interlining and fabric are stitched together, especially on the back placket.
Attachment to fabrics of uneven thickness may result in the detachment of the snap fastener, weak open/close actions, or fabric tearing. Where there exists significant uneven thickness, snap fasteners cannot be attached.
Snap fasteners may rotate if the fabric is too thin at the attaching point. Packing is required in this case.
Try to pluck if off with your fingertip or nail.
Make sure to attach inside the stitch line. Snap fasteners should not be attached to fabrics of uneven thickness or beyond the stitching.
Do not place the iron directly on snap fasteners. It may cause scratches or deformation of the metallic snaps, and breakage or distortion of the plastic snaps. Place a cloth over the snap fasteners before ironing them.
Problems such as deformation, breakage, stiffness or lost open/close actions may occur if the pressure is too strong.
Plastic snaps are less resistant to deformation, discoloration, and scratches under high temperature.
Accessories on the garment are positioned to enter the gate one at a time.