Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A metal plate for swimwear must withstand chlorinated water, sea salt, sun, beach creams and constant stretching of the fabric. Stainless steel and anodised or coated aluminium are the most suitable, as well as brass with a high-quality protective finish. The plate is small and light, with rounded edges, and is attached by sewing, by setting it into a seam or with a ring – not with prongs, which would hurt the skin and the thin Lycra.
What makes a metal plate for swimwear different
Swimwear is the harshest environment for a metal accessory in clothing. Chlorine in swimming pools oxidises, salt accelerates corrosion, and sun protection products contain oils and substances that can attack the finish. Add to this sand, which acts as an abrasive, and constant wet-dry cycles. A metal that would last for years on a jacket can darken in a single season on swimwear if the material or finish is not right.
Choice of material
| Material | Resistance to chlorine and salt | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Very good | Can be polished, matte-finished or given a coloured PVD coating |
| Aluminium (anodised) | Good | Very light; anodising gives colour, but the layer can scratch |
| Coated brass | Depends on the finish | Darkens without protection; requires a quality finish and testing |
| Zinc alloy | Lower | Prone to corrosion if the finish is scratched; less often recommended |
If the budget allows, stainless steel is the most worry-free choice. It can have a gold, rose gold or black PVD coating, which is harder than classic electroplating.
Finishes
Electroplated finishes on brass look excellent, but on swimwear they must be reinforced with a protective lacquer or be thicker. Matte finishes hide scratches from sand. Enamel can be used, but it should be hard or protected with epoxy, because the sun and creams affect the colour.
- Choose a colour that will still look good after slight wear – gold and rose gold are more forgiving than glossy black.
- Avoid polished silver on a black swimsuit if the plate will rub – scratches show strongly.
- Ask for a sample and test it in a salt and chlorine solution.
Size and shape
On swimwear the plate is small – usually about 1 to 2.5 cm wide and less than 1 mm thick. It is placed on a strap, a side seam, the hip of the bottoms or the centre of the top. The shape should have rounded corners and smooth edges, as it is in direct contact with the skin and beach towels.
Attachment to stretch fabric
Lycra and polyamide jersey stretch, so the plate should not be fitted on an area that needs to stretch.
Sewing through holes
The most commonly used method. The plate has two or four holes and is sewn through a double layer of fabric or lining. The thread should be chlorine-resistant polyester or polyamide.
Setting into a seam
The plate has a lug or tab that goes into the strap seam or side seam. This way there are no visible stitches on the plate.
With a ring
The plate hangs on a small ring attached to the strap or to a connecting element of the top. This is a popular solution on bikinis, where metal rings are also a functional detail.
Prongs are not recommended – they pierce the fabric, which then frays when stretched, and can scratch the skin.
Tests before the season
- Immersion in a salt solution and in chlorinated water for several days with periodic drying.
- Hand washing and machine washing on a delicate programme.
- Contact with sun cream followed by rinsing.
- Checking for colour change, stains on the fabric around the metal and loosening.
If after the tests a halo appears on light fabric around the plate, this is a sign of oxidation – change the material or the finish.
Coordinating with the other metal parts
Swimwear often has rings, adjusters and clasps. The plate should be made of the same material and in the same finish to avoid colour differences and to prevent contact corrosion between different metals. You will find more about choosing the metal in the accessories category.
Logo design for a small plate
A swimwear plate is small and is seen up close only briefly – on the beach or in the shop. That is why the logo should be simplified: a symbol, initials or a short name in a clear typeface. Thin lines and small letters get lost, especially after the sand slightly dulls the surface. Relief or deep engraving lasts longer than shallow marking, and the contrast between polished and matte areas is a great way to make the logo visible without adding colour.
Common mistakes
- Using the same plate the brand puts on jackets without checking the material – the result is darkening after the first season.
- A pronged plate on Lycra – the fabric tears around the holes when stretched.
- A plate that is too large and heavy on a strap – it pulls and is felt when swimming.
- A combination of different metals in the rings and the plate, which accelerates corrosion.
The price depends on the material, size, finish, attachment and quantity. Send a request for a quote with the parameters of the style.
Swimwear plates from Polkom
Polkom makes metal logo plates to the client’s design, including small plates for swimwear and beachwear with a suitable material, finish and attachment. All our metal products are nickel free. We send samples for your tests. Write to us via the inquiry form with your logo and a description of the style.
