subject: Identifying And Using The Right Types Of Seam Sealing Tape [print this page] You won't find a single piece of seam sealing tape that can be used in all applications, across every industry be it commercial or industrial. For example, you can't use the same seam sealing tape from a cold weather jacket and place it in a hazmat or wetsuit. One of the main reasons is because seam sealing tape bonding agents work differently based on the foundation fabrics they are sealing.
It's important to decide on which seam sealing tape is going to be appropriate for your garment, based partially on the intended use of that garment. If you wind up choosing the wrong seam sealing tape it can have a visible impact on the garment design and may make it unusable for the purpose in which the garment was made. Here are some tips to help you pick the right seam sealing tape for your product line.
1. When choosing a seam sealing tape, consider the look and the "hand" of the seam sealing tape. Get a feel for the texture of the seam sealing tape and compare it to the fabrics you'll be using in your production process. It's important for the fabric and the tape to be a close match, otherwise you have texture and appearance issues in your product line that can be unattractive (and feel uncomfortable).
2. How will the fabric be used? The seam sealing tape you'll apply to the seams of the garments should have sufficient elasticity so that it can easily move with the fabric without creating additional tension or resistance in the clothing.
3. Make sure you know the tech specifics when looking into multilayered tapes, specifically in the durability where it relates to how your garments will typically be used. You don't want to invest in multi-layer seam sealing tape when the layers will delaminate from one another after only short periods of use.
4. Make sure you're familiar with the ISO certifications of the seam sealing tape and how it's washed. You need to find seam sealing tape (or garments using seam sealing tape) that have acceptable washing procedures. The tolerances of the tape should match those of the garments in which you'll be using it.
5. Take the time to talk to the manufacturer about your intended use of the seam sealing tape and the fabrics you'll be using. This way they can steer your toward the most appropriate seam sealing tape that will offer the longest performance or your needs.
The right research in terms of seam sealing tape will save you a lot of legwork later on. When you add seam sealing tape into your production process it's a major investment of time, money and energy. That's why you need to make sure you're getting the right machines and the right material from go.
