Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
The best apron tape is a dense herringbone tape 20–25 mm wide for the waist ties and 20–30 mm for the neck strap. It is strong, does not stretch when tied, does not twist and withstands the frequent washing that kitchen and work aprons go through. Cotton tape is chosen for cotton aprons, while professional aprons use polyester or a blend.
Why herringbone tape is the classic apron tape
An apron is tied and untied every day; the ties are pulled, get wet and are washed at high temperatures. The tape must be stable lengthwise, must not fray and must not lose its shape. The twill weave of herringbone tape delivers exactly this: a dense, flexible but non-stretch tape with clean edges. It also has a natural, "workwear" look that suits linen, cotton and denim aprons.
Apron parts that use tape
| Part | Recommended width | Typical finished length |
|---|---|---|
| Waist ties (two) | 20–25 mm | about 70–90 cm each |
| Neck strap (fixed) | 20–30 mm | about 55–65 cm |
| Adjustable neck strap with ring | 20–25 mm | about 70–80 cm before adjustment |
| Cross-back straps | 25–30 mm | depending on style and size |
| Hanging loop | 10–15 mm | about 10–12 cm before folding |
| Pocket or top edge binding | 15–20 mm | along the length of the edge |
The lengths are a guide. Adult ties usually allow the apron to be tied at the back or wrapped around the waist and tied at the front. For children's aprons, sizes are reduced proportionally. The safest way is a sample with real ties and a fitting on several sizes.
How long should apron ties be
The tie length depends on the width of the apron itself and how it is tied:
- Tied at the back: each tie must reach from the side edge of the apron to the middle of the back, plus about 25–30 cm for the bow.
- Tied at the front: the ties go round the waist and are tied over the apron – add about another 40–50 cm to each.
- One-size-fits-all: staff work aprons usually have longer ties, because the same apron is worn by people with different waist sizes.
Neck strap – fixed or adjustable
A fixed strap is cheaper to produce and suits home aprons. An adjustable strap is the standard for restaurants, cafés and shops: the tape passes through a metal or plastic ring or D-ring and is fastened at the desired height. This way one apron fits different employees. With an adjustable strap the tape must be dense and of exact width so it does not slip out of the ring. The inner size of the ring is chosen to match the tape width – for example a 25 mm ring for 25 mm tape. If the ring is wider, the tape slides down during wear; if it is narrower, the tape bunches and is hard to adjust. So it is a good idea to test rings and tape together at the sample stage.
How to sew ties on so they do not tear off
- Fold the end of the tape 1–1.5 cm inwards to hide the cut edge.
- Place the tie between the apron and the facing, or under the folded side edge.
- Stitch a rectangle with a diagonal (a box-X stitch) – this spreads the load over a larger area.
- On heavy work aprons, add reinforcement – a piece of fabric or tape on the reverse side.
- Fold the free end of the tie double and stitch it, or heat-seal it if the tape is polyester.
Material and washing
- Cotton tape – for cotton and linen aprons, home collections and shops with a natural concept. Pre-soak it or choose pre-shrunk tape, so the apron does not distort after the first wash.
- Polyester or blend – for restaurants, hotels and industrial laundering. It does not shrink or fade and dries quickly.
- Colour – natural and black are the most popular; for uniforms a match to the corporate colour in Pantone is required.
You will find all materials and widths in the herringbone tape category.
Logo tape for aprons
For restaurants and brands, the apron is part of the look. There are several ways to brand it through its trims:
- herringbone tape printed with a logo or name, used for the ties or hanging loop;
- a contrasting tape in the brand colour;
- a woven label on the pocket or in the seam – see labels;
- a pocket binding in a coloured tape.
For a comparison with other types – grosgrain, satin, jacquard ribbons – see the ribbons section.
Common apron mistakes
- Tape too narrow for the ties – it cuts into the waist and twists.
- Ties too short – the apron does not fit larger staff members.
- Ties attached with a straight stitch only – they tear off at the first strong pull.
- Cotton tape on a polyester apron without pre-shrinking – after washing the ties shorten and distort the edge.
- Unfinished ends – they fray in the wash.
Apron hanging loop
A small tape loop on the top edge or in the neck seam lets the apron hang on a hook in the kitchen. A 10–15 mm tape is used, folded in half and caught in the seam. It is also a convenient place for branding.
Apron tape from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of haberdashery and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia. We deliver herringbone tape for apron ties and neck straps, in widths and colours to your specification, with logo printing and delivery across the EU. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send us your apron design and quantities via the contact page – we will suggest the width and material and prepare samples.
