Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Flat cords lie flat, do not twist and look clean, so they are the standard for sweatshirts, tracksuits and shorts. Round cords slide more easily through channels, eyelets and cord stoppers and withstand greater load, so they are chosen for jackets, backpacks, drawstring bags and adjustment systems. When choosing between flat or round cords, the deciding factors are the adjustment method, the load and the desired look.
How flat and round cords are made
Most cords for clothing are braided on spindle machines that interlace the yarns in a spiral. A round cord is produced as a tubular braid, which can be hollow or have an inner core of parallel yarns. A flat cord is braided or woven like a tape – sometimes it is a flattened tubular braid, sometimes a dense flat braid. The construction determines how much the cord stretches, how it behaves under load and how it looks after washing.
Cord with and without a core
A cord without a core is soft, flexible and light, but under load it flattens and stretches. A cored cord is denser, keeps its round cross-section and is stronger – the core takes the load and the outer braid protects it. That is why cored cord is chosen for backpacks, drawstring bags and outdoor products, and coreless cord for light garments and packaging.
Flat or round cords – a comparison
| Criterion | Flat cord | Round cord |
|---|---|---|
| Look | clean, modern, tape-like | sporty, technical |
| Twisting | does not twist, lies flat | may rotate, with no visual effect |
| Sliding in a channel | more friction | slides easily |
| Cord stoppers | special cord stoppers are needed | compatible with standard cord stoppers |
| Load | light to medium | medium to high (with core) |
| Print and logo | convenient surface for print and jacquard | branding mainly through aglets |
| Typical products | sweatshirts, tracksuits, shorts, pyjamas | jackets, anoraks, backpacks, drawstring bags |
When to choose flat cords
- for sweatshirt and hoodie hoods, where the cord is clearly visible on the chest;
- for the waists of tracksuits, shorts, swimwear and pyjamas – a flat cord does not dig in when sitting;
- when you want print, a jacquard inscription or contrasting stripes along the cord;
- for streetwear styles with a wide, statement cord.
When to choose round cords
- when adjustment is done with a cord stopper – most cord stoppers are for a round cross-section;
- for hems and hoods of jackets, windbreakers and anoraks;
- for backpacks, gym sacks, shoe bags and tie-up packaging;
- for products that are tightened and loosened often and must withstand abrasion;
- when the cord passes through several eyelets or plastic guides.
Compatibility with accessories
The choice of cord also determines the other accessories. Round cords use cord stoppers with a round hole, metal or plastic aglets with a round cross-section and eyelets with a suitable inner diameter. Flat cords need aglets for a flat cross-section or a stitched end, and if a cord stopper is used – a model with an oval or rectangular hole. Order the cord and accessories together and test the set on a sample.
Materials and washing behaviour
Both types are made from polyester, cotton, polypropylene and blends. Polyester is the most stable in washing and does not shrink. Cotton is soft and natural to the touch, but may shrink slightly – on flat cotton cords this shows as puckering. With cored round cords, check whether the core and sheath are made of the same material; with different materials, shrinkage may be uneven and the cord may curl.
Textile cords with different looks
Besides the shape, there is also a choice of surface: smooth braid, ribbed, melange, multicoloured spirals, reflective yarns. Flat cords allow jacquard stripes and inscriptions along their length, and round cords multicoloured spiral patterns. These details underline the style of the collection without additional accessories.
Mistakes when choosing
- A flat cord with a standard round cord stopper – the stopper does not hold and the cord slips.
- A coreless round cord for a backpack – under weight it stretches and flattens.
- A flat cord too wide for a narrow channel – it gathers the fabric and makes tightening difficult.
- Different materials for the cord and the product – different shrinkage after washing.
Samples before the production run
The surest way to choose between a flat and a round cord is to try both in the actual product. Ask for samples in two or three thicknesses, thread them through the channel, eyelets and cord stopper and wash them at the temperature given on the care label. Compare how the cord looks after washing, whether it twists, whether the stopper holds and what the ends look like. This check takes little time but saves complaints after the collection goes on sale.
Flat and round cords from Polkom
Polkom is a manufacturer of haberdashery and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, supplying wholesale. We offer flat and round cords in various materials, thicknesses and colours, with and without a core, in custom Pantone colours and as a set with cord stoppers, aglets and eyelets. We deliver across the EU. Minimum quantities depend on the article – send an inquiry for samples via the contact page.
