Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Velvet ribbon is a narrow ribbon with a soft, plush face of short upright fibres and a smooth or woven back. It has a deep, rich colour without reflections and is used for decorative details on clothing, hair bows, choker-style jewellery and luxury packaging. It is best suited to autumn-winter and festive collections, where the matte depth of colour works better than the gloss of satin.
What is velvet ribbon
Velvet is made by weaving extra yarns into the base of the fabric, which are then cut to form a dense, short pile. In ribbon, this pile is on the face only and the edges are woven, so they do not fray. The result is a ribbon with a warm, "velvety" touch that absorbs light and makes colours more saturated – navy looks almost black and burgundy looks like wine.
In searches you will also often come across the terms "velour" and "velvet" ribbon. Velour is in principle a material with a shorter, flatter pile, but in everyday language the two words are used almost interchangeably for soft plush ribbons.
Types of velvet ribbon
- Single-sided – velvet on the face only, with a smooth back. The most common type, suitable for sewing on and appliqué.
- Double-sided – pile on both sides; used for free-hanging bows and ties where both sides are visible.
- Elastic velvet ribbon – with an elastic base, for headbands, chokers and cuffs.
- With metallic thread or edging – festive decoration, Christmas collections.
Where velvet ribbon is used
In clothing
Velvet ribbon is a classic accent on cuffs, necklines, collars and dress hems, especially in children's party wear and evening styles. It is also used as a hat band, as a waist tie or as a contrast trim on woollen fabrics. Narrow velvet ribbon is preferred for straps and small bows, and wider ribbon for belts and decorative sashes.
Hair accessories and jewellery
Hair bows, headbands, hair clips and chokers are among the most popular uses. The dense structure holds the shape of a bow better than satin, and the matte surface looks elegant.
Packaging and decoration
Velvet bows give a premium look to boxes for jewellery, cosmetics, chocolate and wine. In seasonal decoration – on Christmas trees, wreaths and gifts – they are combined with organza and metallic ribbons, and for brands a velvet bow is an easy way to set their gift sets apart.
How to choose velvet ribbon
| Width | Suitable use |
|---|---|
| 3–6 mm | fine bows, jewellery, lingerie decoration |
| 9–16 mm | trims on clothing, chokers, small bows |
| 20–25 mm | hair bows, packaging, hat bands |
| 38 mm and more | large bows, sashes, seasonal decoration |
Besides the width, also check the following:
- Pile density – dense pile looks richer and does not go "bald" with rubbing.
- Composition – polyester and polyamide velvet are more resistant to washing, while viscose velvet has a more luxurious sheen but is more delicate.
- Pile direction – when sewing on several pieces, lay them in the same direction, otherwise the colour looks different.
- Edges – a woven edge is preferable to a cut one.
Sewing and caring for velvet ribbon
Velvet ribbon is sewn with a longer stitch and reduced presser foot pressure so as not to crush the pile. A Teflon or gliding foot is handy. Do not iron directly on the face – the iron flattens the pile and leaves shiny marks. If necessary, iron from the back on a soft towel or use steam without contact.
Garments with velvet ribbon should be washed at a low temperature, turned inside out, and not spun hard. Tumble drying can deform the pile. State this in the care instructions on the garment label.
Common mistakes when working with velvet ribbon
- Sewing on pieces with different pile directions – adjacent sections look like two shades, especially under artificial light.
- Ironing with a hot iron directly on the face – this leaves irreversible shiny marks.
- A stitch that is too short and strong foot pressure – the ribbon puckers and the pile is crushed along the seam.
- Choosing a colour from a photo only: velvet looks darker in real life than on screen, so always ask for a physical sample.
- Using viscose velvet in children's clothes that are washed often – polyester is more practical.
- Cutting the ends with ordinary scissors without sealing – the ends of cut ribbons fray; synthetic ribbon can be sealed with a hot knife.
In series production, velvet ribbon should be stored rolled, not folded, so that no crease marks remain on the pile, which are hard to remove even with steam.
Velvet ribbon and other decorative ribbons
If you are looking for gloss instead of matte, satin ribbon is more suitable; for a light sheer effect in packaging – organza ribbon. Velvet is also often combined with lace in festive collections. You can see the full range in the ribbons section.
Wholesale velvet ribbon from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of haberdashery and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, with over 30 years of experience. We deliver ribbons for clothing, accessories and packaging across the EU and help with colour matching to a sample. Send an inquiry with the width, colour and quantity via the contact page – we will suggest an option and a sample.
