Why cloth wristbands? The pros and cons of going with cloth...
Trying to decide between custom cloth wristbands and a variety of other wristband types? This article will help to give you more insight into the different wristband options out there, and what situations are best suited to which material types.
Wristband Types
The most common custom wristband types (for event admissions) are cloth, Tyvek, vinyl, silicone and plastic. Each wristband type has its uses and while we are big fans of cloth, we'll be the first to admit that cloth wristbands are not always the best choice for all situations. Here are some images of the various wristband types:
Woven Cloth Wristbands
Woven cloth wristbands are great for premium events that are brand conscious and not overly focused on minimizing expenses. Cloth wristbands are usually more expensive than most other wristband types but come with significant advantages, making them the most common choice for major festivals. Woven cloth wristbands are available in quantities of 100+ pieces.
Printed Cloth Wristbands
The main difference between woven cloth wristbands and printed cloth wristbands is that printed cloth (sublimation process) appear more polished, have a higher graphic resolution and a smoother satin like feel to them. Both woven and printed cloth wristbands are made of polyester, but printed wristbands use a satin finish and are available in quantities of 500+.
Plastic Wristbands
Plastic wristbands are great for multi-day events, and are slightly cheaper than their look-alike cousins the vinyl wristbands, but they aren't as soft or as comfortable as vinyl. Also note that full colour plastic wristbands are not an option, but they do come in some pretty fancy looking holographic versions.
Vinyl Wristbands
While Vinyl wristbands are a bit more expensive than plastic wristbands, they are more durable and more comfortable. They also come with pull-tab options if you'd like to include things like drink tickets as part of your event entry wristband. Important to note that vinyl wristbands are nowhere near as comfortable as cloth ;)
Tyvek Wristbands
Tyvek wristbands are the cheapest wristband solution; they look like paper, but are water resistant and good for single day events. If saving money is your primary consideration, Tyvek wristbands are your best bet.
Full Colour Tyvek
Typically printed using an ink-jet process, full colour Tyvek wristbands are quite expensive, but great alternatives if you are late to getting your wristband order in on time, and need full color customization!
How to Decide?
As you can see there are a ton of different wristband types to choose from, so we've broken down the decision making process into the key considerations that will influence your final call.
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Comfort: If guests comfort is your main consideration, you can't beat the comfort level from woven or printed cloth wristbands. For events that span multiple days, cloth wristbands can be comfortably worn for 5+ days. In comparison, Tyvek wristbands can have sharp edges and start to look quite ratty after more than one day of wear. Vinyl wristbands are the softer and more durable alternative to Plastic wristbands and are the most comfortable solution other than cloth... but when it comes to comfort - cloth wins every time.
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Price: Cloth wristbands are the most expensive wristband option starting from $.30/ band vs. as low as $.02 per band for the lowest price wristbands (Tyvek) when talking about 1 colour printing (10,000 pieces). For full color custom wristbands, the only 2 common options are cloth and Tyvek, and the prices are very similar. So if you don't need full colour designs, Tyvek wins every time. Check out our handy comparison table below for full price comparisons on all event wristband types.
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Customization: Woven cloth wristbands can be PMS color matched with up to 8 different colors of thread. Printed cloth wristbands are full color (with shading). The alternative solution for full color wristbands is typically full color Tyvek wristbands printed via an Ink-jet process that are actually around the same price as cloth. Plastic, vinyl and silicone wristbands are not commonly available with full colour customization options unless you are doing very high volume runs factory direct.
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Appearance: Woven cloth wristbands don't have the same graphic design resolution as say printed (heat sublimation) cloth wristbands, or full color Tyvek wristbands, but they do have a unique look similar to an embroidered piece of clothing. The designs are actually woven into the material (hence the name :P) and they look like no cost was spared in their production. The cost of woven cloth wristbands is actually identical to that of full color printed ones, but some customers feel that they appear a bit more expensive. Depending on the look and feel of your brand / event, there are other wristband options that can be a better match. Plastic, holographic wristbands can be popular with EDM events, and silicone wristbands are very popular for fundraiser events.
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Environment: At this current time, we are investigating 100% biodegradable cloth wristband options (ie: hemp), but unfortunately at this moment our only option for cloth wristband material is polyester. While it does appear to be more eco-friendly than say Tyvek or Plastic wristbands, the fact remains that polyester recycling isn't yet commonplace. Much of the polyester materials do come from recycled water bottles, but the majority of cloth wristbands do end up as non-compostable landfill. Hang tight for an upcoming announcement with more environmentally friendly cloth wristband options or try googling around for some fairly expensive hemp wristband options.
- Speed: Late to place your order? Choose pre-printed wristbands like the 10 versions of pre-printed cloth we have in stock. Orders are shipped out the same day, and if the order is placed before 2pm PST, we can have it on your desk by the next morning (select priority UPS shipment). If you need custom designed same day wristbands, your best option is full color Tyvek wristbands from your local print shop. They can be quite expensive, so remember to place your wristband orders well in advance of your event to save your hard earned money.
Comparison Table
| Type | Cost/qty | Colors | Setup fee | Days | ||
| 100 | 500 | 10,000 | ||||
| Woven Cloth | $1.50 | $.70 | $.30 | 8 colors | $0 | 10-17 |
| Printed Cloth | NA | $.70 | $.30 | Full | $0 | 10-17 |
| Blank Cloth | $.60 | $.30 | contact us | 1 | none | 0 (preprinted) |
| Vinyl | NA | $.11 | $.10 | 1 | $22 | 10 |
| Plastic | NA | $.10 | $.08 | 1 | $45 | 7 |
| Tyvek 3/4" | NA | $.04 | $.037 | 1 | $35 | 3-4 |
| Full color Tyvek | $1.25 | $.50 | $.30 | Full | none | 1-2 |
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Silicone |
$.70 | $.45 | $.25 | 1-2 | $45-$55 | 5-15 |
In conclusion, while cloth wristbands are the clear winners when it comes to comfort, full-color and appearance, there are better alternatives to cloth if you need last minute custom designs, or if budget is your primary consideration.