Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A good workwear zip must withstand intensive daily use, frequent industrial washing, dust, moisture and contact with tools. That is why work jackets, overalls and vests often use a moulded YKK Vislon No. 5 to No. 8 with an open-end or two-way bottom and an auto-lock slider, with the zip protected by a cover placket.
Workwear is worn every day for eight hours or more and is washed far more often than ordinary clothing. A broken zip means immediate replacement of the garment or a repair – a cost employers don't like. That is why the durability of the zip is a key criterion in orders for uniforms and workwear.
Requirements for a workwear zip
- Cycle durability – thousands of openings and closings without the slider loosening.
- Wash resistance – industrial washing, tumble drying and dry cleaning according to the label.
- Corrosion resistance – moisture, sweat, detergents and salt.
- Abrasion resistance – rubbing against tables, machines, walls, a tool belt.
- Ease of use – with work gloves and on the move.
- Safety – the zip must not scratch surfaces or snag.
Why YKK Vislon is a good workwear zip
The moulded plastic teeth do not corrode and do not stain the fabric in the wash, and their solid shape withstands knocks and abrasion. The individual teeth are easy to clean of dust and dirt, which can build up in a coil zip. Compared with a metal zip, a moulded one is lighter, doesn't get cold outdoors and doesn't scratch painted surfaces – important, for example, in car workshops, furniture factories and logistics. The stable chain and large slider are easy to use even with gloves.
Size by type of workwear
| Product | Recommended size | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Work jacket | No. 5–8 | open-end, often two-way |
| Winter work jacket, parka | No. 8 | two-way open-end |
| Overalls | No. 5–8 | two-way open-end |
| Work vest | No. 5 | open-end |
| Jacket and trouser pockets | No. 3–5 | closed-end |
| High-visibility clothing | No. 5 | open-end |
Two-way zips on work jackets
A two-way open-end zip is especially useful in workwear. It lets the jacket be opened from the bottom when sitting in a machine or vehicle, when bending, or to reach a tool belt – without unzipping the whole jacket. On overalls, a two-way zip makes dressing and undressing easier.
Slider and puller
- Auto-lock – the zip doesn't open by itself when moving and bending.
- Large puller – easy to use with work gloves.
- Strong metal or plastic slider – with no sharp edges.
- Zip garage – at the top, so the slider doesn't scratch the chin or snag.
Cover placket and protection
In workwear the zip is often covered by a placket fastened with snaps or hook and loop. The placket protects the zip from dust, sparks, moisture and knocks and stops the slider scratching surfaces. It is mandatory on some types of protective clothing where metal and plastic parts must not be exposed. The requirements of the specific protective clothing standard are checked separately for each product.
Washing and care
Workwear is often washed in industrial machines at higher temperatures. So:
- Check that the zip specification suits the intended washing regime.
- Advise the customer to close the zip before washing.
- Avoid ironing directly on the teeth.
- State the care conditions on the garment label according to the care symbol standard.
The tape colour must withstand repeated washing – on corporate clothing, a faded zip on a new jacket is noticed immediately.
Colour and corporate identity
Uniforms often follow the employer's brand colours. A moulded zip allows the tape and teeth to be in the corporate colour or the zip to match the main fabric. On high-visibility clothing the zip is usually matched to the fluorescent fabric or in a neutral dark colour. The colour is specified by a number from the YKK colour card.
When YKK and when a standard zip
For large uniform orders, the budget is often limited. If the customer does not require a brand, a good-quality standard moulded zip can be a sensible choice. YKK makes sense when the employer values a long garment life, when the zip is visible and represents the brand, or when the technical specification explicitly requires it. For classic-style denim work trousers and overalls, see also YKK metal zips.
Common mistakes in the choice
Most zip problems in workwear come not from the quality of the zip but from the wrong choice for the specific use. Here are the most common:
- A No. 3 coil zip on a work jacket – it wears quickly from abrasion.
- A non-lock slider – the zip opens when bending.
- A small puller – awkward with gloves.
- An exposed zip with no placket when working with dust and sparks.
- A tape colour that fades in industrial washing.
Workwear zips through Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags. YKK is a third-party brand – we supply original YKK Vislon moulded zips in Bulgaria and the EU, and in the same order you can include eyelets, hook and loop, labels and reflective details from our range. Send an inquiry with the type of clothing, sizes and quantity.
