Types of Zippers

20 of the Best Types of Zippers: Everything You Need to Know About Zippers 

Are you afraid of trying different types of zippers? Do you feel shy to try different patterns because you “just don’t want to”? If yes, then this guide is for you.

Sewing zippers is much easier than new sewers can think. You just need to learn some advanced sewing techniques to make beautiful patterns with zippers. Zippers are just one of the most amazing tools that can open a world of sewing opportunities to you.

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High-quality, reliable, and dependable zippers are worthy. Zippers can either make or break your entire fabric’s look. You can just wear structured clothing to get the controlled curvature you ever dream of getting.

One can also learn to sew different types of corsets with zippers so that you can wear them without smearing your makeup.

Many different types of zippers are available in the market, but when choosing a suitable zipper for a particular project, you need to consider different factors.

In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about different types of zippers so that you can gain the utmost confidence and skills in no time.

Anatomy of Different Types of Zippers

Before we talk about different types of zippers, you need to understand different parts of the zipper. Here are some essential parts of zippers.

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Top Stop

This is the metal thing placed at the top of the zipper teeth, which prevents the zipper slider from separating the zipper.

Slider

This has joins and separate zipper teeth as it slides up and down.

Teeth

Teeth are the central part of the zipper. They can hold the zipper together and track it.

Pull Tab

This metal or plastic piece is used to move the zipper slider body up and down along the teeth track.

Bottom Stop

The bottom stop is a metal thing placed at the bottom of a zipper to prevent the closed bottom zipper slider from coming off the zipper.

Tape

Tape is different types of fabric that are attached on either side of zipper teeth.

Insertion Pin

Insertion pins are used in separating zippers to secure the opposite sides of the zipper in the retainer box.

Retainer Box

This is used to secure the zipper together and prevent the slider from coming off the bottom part.

4 Different Types of Zippers and Their Application

There are four basic types of zippers you can use for sewing garments. Read these best sewing tips and tricks to make a different pattern.

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Nylon Coil Zippers

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Nylon coil zippers are one of the lightweight zippers that are made from coiled nylon or types of polyester fabric. It can be either woven or stitched on the tape. 

These zippers are flexible, making them great types of zippers sewing for knit sweaters or other lightweight sewing projects. Nylon coil zippers are also famous as types of zippers for bags.

The teeth texture of nylon coil zipper is a lot more subtle than metal or plastic teeth. The bottom stopper is made of metal, but the rest of the parts are from plastic. If you’re just wondering how to sew nylon coil zippers, then start with these easy beginner sewing projects and make different patterns with these easy zippers.

Nylon coil zippers are also used to make different types of bags, pockets, and homewares where you don’t want your zipper to stand out.

Metal Zippers

Metal zippers have types of zipper teeth made from metal and clamped onto the zipper tape. The teeth of these types of zippers come in a wide range of metallic colors such as gold, brass, and nickel. 

While you like the color statement of metal teeth on your garment, be careful of its weight. Metal zippers are heavy-weight zippers. These zippers are ideal for making heavy-duty coats, jeans, leather clothes, and duffle bags. 

The best thing about metal zippers is that they are long-lasting. The larger heads make this zipper a little harder for beginners to stitch it on sewing fabric since you often have to stop sewing, move the head and start sewing again. 

You can know more about sewing thread types and tips to sew this zipper on the fabric.

Molded Plastic Zippers

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Molded plastic zippers are also known as Parka zippers, and they look like metal zippers. These types of zippers for garments are lightweight and have high heat-resistant properties. 

They look attractive on parkas, jackets, coats, sportswear, bathrobes, hoodies, and fleece jackets. These molded types of zipper teeth can be melted onto the zipper tape with ease. 

The teeth are made from cheap quality material, which makes them ideal for cost-effective projects. The teeth shape makes this zipper a bit stiffer than the coil zippers. Molded plastic zippers are ideal for making tote bags, children’s clothes, and other clothes.

Invisible Zippers

Invisible zippers are types of zippers for garments that look invisible when applied on a seam. These zippers have nylon coil teeth, but the teeth are placed on the backside of the zipper. 

This just means that once invisible zippers are sewn on the fabric, it will be invisible from the other side. Invisible zippers are used in some tight-fitting types of dresses and skirts. 

When you place an invisible zipper on the garment, it looks like there is no zipper and just a seam.

3 Types of Zipper Closure and Openings

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Different types of zipper closure are available for different sewing projects. Read 35 intermediate sewing projects to make a zipper pattern. Here are three basic types of zipper closure and openings.

Open-Ended or Separating Zippers

Open-ended zippers are also popular as separating zippers. These zippers have both ends open with one slider and a lock at the bottom that can be attached with the zipper teeth. 

Open-ended zippers are used in sweatshirts, hoodies, vests, blouses, and jackets so that you can separate two ends with ease.

Closed-Ended Zippers

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Closed-ended zippers are great for making dresses, cushions, pouches, and many more. These zippers have a bottom stopper that acts as a metal bar and goes across both sides of the bottom to hold the entire piece together. 

Closed-ended zippers are one of the easiest to sew, and here are the top 10 reasons  to start sewing clothes with them.

Continuous Zippers

Closed-ended zippers can also be bought in a roll, and you can cut them in any length. These zipper rolls are available in 100 to 300 inches long length. 

Continuous zippers are one of the best economical alternatives for making cushions. Make sure you check woven labels before purchasing continuous zippers. Many fabric stores sell continuous zippers by meter or yard with hang tags on them. 

Sometimes heads are included in the measure or sold on an individual basis. You can also buy zipper heads on a separate basis since a wide variety of zipper head designs are available in the market.

5 Types of Zipper Teeth Material

There are different types of zipper teeth based on material and manufacturing process. Here are some of the popular categories of zipper teeth.

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Normal Zipper Teeth

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These round teeth zippers are famous for their teeth edges which are rounder than others. Normal zipper teeth are used in garments, shoes, jackets, bags, etc.

Die-casting Metal Zipper Teeth

Many metal zipper teeth are made from copper, but die-casting metal zipper teeth are made from zinc. Normal zippers are stamped from copper to make these types of zipper pull. These teeth are manufactured by pouring the liquid metal into a mold holder by giving high pressure. 

Die-casting metal zipper teeth give an excellent surface finish, smooth pull, and dimensional consistency. Check care labels of die-casting metal zipper teeth for better maintenance and care.

Corn Teeth

Corn zipper teeth are one of the widest and polished teeth that can give a luxurious feel to any of your sewing projects. These zipper teeth have corn-like teeth set up on both sides of the zipper tape at regular intervals. 

Corn teeth zippers can be used for some high-end clothes or luggage.

Y-cut Teeth

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Y-cut zipper teeth look rectangular and have sharper lines. These types of zipper teeth come in high-quality and are higher in demand. Y-cut teeth are used for types of pants and jeans which require high-strength zippers. Learn some sewing hacks to stitch these types of zippers.

They are plated in anti-silver and anti-brass form to give a vintage look to your bottom. If you’re using y-cut zipper teeth for bags, choose shiny colors such as platinum, light gold, and black nickel.

Swiss Teeth

These types of zipper teeth are also known as European teeth zippers. Swiss teeth zippers can give high strength and are popular in Europe. These zipper teeth come in a shiny, luxurious, and well-polished look. They are the best types of zippers for bags and high-end garments. 

Swiss teeth zippers can also add excellent warming retention effects to your clothes. 

8 Types of Zippers for Bags – Pick the Best One for Your Bag

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Bags are great for storing multiple items in a single place. Different types of bags feature numerous types of zipper closures to help you secure the bag.

There are different types of zippers for bags designed for particular applications. Check out some of the popular types of zippers pdf you can find while shopping for a bag.

Flange Zippers

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Flange zippers are types of zippers for bags that interlock sections to secure the bag. These zippers are used for making a sealed bag. 

They have a remarkable texture that can help the customer to reassure that the bag is closed. Some double flange zippers provide an excellent closure strength and help store small particles inside, enabling you to store multiple items inside.

Ribbed Zippers

Ribbed zippers look like flange zippers, but they have plastic material ribs to give additional strength and grid. Ribbed zippers are great for many bag styles since they perform well at lower sealing temperatures and reduce film distortion. 

The ribbed design in these zippers can allow faster production speeds on fill, form, pouch machines, and seal equipment. These ribbed zippers come with different types of woven labels so make sure you check them before using them. 

String Zippers

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These types of zippers are best for plastic bag closure and most bagging equipment. They are one of the cost-effective ways to add convenience to poly packaging. 

These types of zippers for bags require less raw material and can be produced faster, allowing a quick turnaround on bag orders. String zippers are best when used for lightweight and medium-weight bags.

Slider Zippers

This zipper is ideal for small and medium-sized bags that can carry light to medium weight items. Slider zippers are easy to open, making them great for bags that require hand gloves to open and close. 

You can find different types of sliders—right from hourglass shape to any shape that can improve your grip since the sliders are placed across the bag.

Mini Sliders

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Mini sliders look like normal sliders, but they are smaller in size and demand less material to manufacture. Being the most cost-effective type of zippers, they are used for lightweight products. 

These types of zipper installation are easy, and they can function the same way as regular zippers do.

Tamper-proof Zippers

Tamper-proof zippers have a tear strip that can be removed before zipper closure can be opened. Tamper-proof zippers can prevent anything from getting into the bag while shipping and transporting. 

This also gives customers utmost peace of mind when a bag arrives at their location. These zippers can also prevent liquid consumables from spilling outside. Tamper-proof zippers are used in coffee, pet foods, and packaged items.

Double Zippers

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Double zippers come with excellent sealing capabilities while producing easy to use bags for customers. They have two zipper tracks that feature flange zippers with interlocking parts to create a tight seal. 

These types of zipper installation can give the utmost peace of mind that the content of the bag is secure.

Particle Plow Slider

Zippers are an excellent addition to any sewing project. They come with different types of sliders which are designed for applications that have small and granulated products. 

These zippers can push smaller particles out of the zipper track and keep the seal secure. They are great for the foodservice industry and confectionery application.

Types of Zippers and Methods of Attachment You Should Know

Zippers were first introduced by Elias Howe, who was the first man who invented sewing machines. He patented zippers in 1851 and called it Automatic, continuous Clothing closure. 

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The next debut of a zipper was in 1893 at the Chicago world’s fair. This zipper version was known as a clasp locker, and Whitcomb Judson designed it. 

In 1930, the fashion industry started using different zippers to make different types of clothes for children and men.

Think about all the places where different types of zippers are used. Zippers are a valuable part of your clothing, and their functionality can add great convenience to your sewing project.

Here are some of the best ways different types of zippers and methods of attachment are used in most applications and sewing projects.

Supplies Needed

• • Zipper foot
  • Pins
  • Standard Zipper
  • Reverse pattern foot
  • Tape
  • Types of seams ripper to eliminate basting
  • Decorative Zippers

Methods of Attachment

Before you start installing a zipper, you need to understand the different types of zippers and the method of attachment you’re going to adopt. 

If you’re going to follow a specific pattern, it’s easy to sew it. If you’re designing your own project, you will have to decide the attachment method and think about how a zipper will look. 

Here are some of the popular zipper attachment methods that you should know before starting any sewing project.

Centered

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In this method, the zipper is attached at the center with a seam and has an equal distance from both sides. The centered zipper attachment method is used when sewing conventional zippers.

Inserted

Many fitted side seam garments are made by using inserted zipper attachment methods. This attachment or installation method is similar to a centered zipper. The difference here is that the top and bottom parts of the zipper are sewn, so your stitching will create a rectangular shape. 

The zipper’s opening allows sufficient space to let the dress on your body. You can also use this method of attachment for home décor items such as fancy pillowcases.

Fly Front

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Fly front opening zippers are sewn for different types of jeans. In this zipper attachment method, the zipper is sewn underneath so that curved stitching can be visible outside.

Lapped

You can find these zipper attachment methods on garments that have front, back, or side seams. These types of zippers are sewn close to the edge of one side of the seam, and the other is farther away from another side of the seam. 

This style creates a lap of material on the zipper.

Concealed

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The concealed zipper attachment method is hidden in the seam, and thus, you can achieve this look by using invisible zippers.

Exposed

Exposed is one of the common methods of attachment found in sportswear and home décor. This method has all the teeth and tape exposed. Using the exposed method, you can sew different types of jeans and clothes.

4 Different Types of Zipper Sliders – Identify the Best for Your Project

Just like zipper chains, zipper sliders are versatile products in the textile industry. There are different types of zipper sliders available for clothing and home furnishing items.

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Here is a quick overview of different types of zipper sliders.

Non-locking Slider

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These are one of the standard sliders in the market. Non-locking sliders are popular for everyday goods and luggage, bags, upholstery coverings, and outdoor products.

Semi-automatic Slider

Another popular zipper slider style among clothing manufacturers is a semi-automatic slider. The locking of this slider can allow the sides to be locked by lowering the pull on any side.

Reversible Slider

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These are different types of sliders that form a “U’ shape on the pull attached to it. This U-shaped can help you move at 180-degree over the slide. Reversible sliders are used for tents and sleeping bags.

No-pull Slider

You can find no-pull sliders in an application where non-locking sliders are appropriate. They do not have any accompanying pull, which makes them perfect for tactical applications.

2 Types of Zipper Pulls for Different Projects

There are two major types of zipper pull used in the industry. Here they are:

Big Pulls

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These types of zipper pulls have larger plastic that gives enough coverage over the metal pull tab, allowing easy zip/unzips function. Big pulls are most used for luggage applications.

Standard Pulls

Standard pulls are the most used type of pull for everyday goods.

Conclusion

Zippers are one of the attractive pieces for sewers. They are perfect for ensuring the functionality of your clothing piece.

Different types of zippers are used for different applications. You can find many zipper styles in bags, clothes, vehicle covers, bookbags, etc.

Using this comprehensive guide, you can find the right types of zippers for your sewing project. Choose the best zipper and start working on your sewing project.