Construction techniques: Zip Fastenings

Scroll below for 'how to' diagrams covering: Invisible Zip Insertion; Visible Zip Insertion; Concealed & Semi-Concealed Zips.

Common Zipper Terms:

CHAIN: The continuous piece that is formed when both halves of a zipper are meshed together.

CHAIN SIZE: Refers to the specific gauge of the chain, i.e., size of the teeth.

TEETH: The individual elements that make up the chain.

SLIDER: The device that moves up and down the chain to open or close the zipper.

PULL TAB: The part of the slider that you hold to move the slider up or down.

MATERIAL: Refers to the type of chain that is used in the construction of the zipper, such as, metal chain, molded plastic chain or coil (nylon) chain.

TAPE: The fabric part of the zipper.

TAPE WIDTH: Refers to the width of the fabric on one side only, of the zipper chain.

TAPE ENDS: The fabric part of the zipper, that extends beyond the teeth, at the top and / or bottom of the chain.

STYLE: Refers to the manner in which the zipper is assembled for a particular application.

TOP STOP: Two devices affixed to the bottom end of a zipper, to prevent the slider from coming off the chain.

BOTTOM STOP: A device affixed to the bottom end of a zipper, to prevent further movement of the half of the zipper from separating.

BRIDGE STOP: A device similar to a bottom stop, used at the top end of a zipper to prevent each half of the zipper from separating.

PIN: A device used on a separating (jacket type) zipper whose function is to allow the joining of the two zipper halves.

BOX: A device used on a separating (jacket type) zipper whose function is to correctly align the pin, to begin the joining of the zipper halves.

HEAT SEAL PATCH: The cotton and nylon laminated material fused to the bottom end of a separating zipper, used to reinforce the tape.

HEAT-SEALABLE ZIPPERS (WELDABLE LAMINATED ZIPPERS): Any zipper that has a strip of plastic fused to each half of the zipper tape to allow a manufacturer to electronically "weld" the zipper onto the garment or item that is being manufactured, without the need of sewing or stitching.

CONTINUOUS CHAIN: Any material or size of zipper chain that is continuously spooled without sliders or any other components. Typically used by fabricators on a cut-as-need basis.

CUT-TO-LENGTH ZIPPERS: (Finished Zippers) Any zipper that is finished to a specific length, with all necessary components attached.