YKK Nylon Coil Zips – Sizes, Types and Special Tapes

What YKK coil zips are

YKK coil zips have a chain made of a continuous polyester or nylon coil, sewn or woven into a textile tape. YKK calls them coil and describes them as the softest of the three main zip types and the most popular – they are used in apparel, luggage, sporting goods, furniture and cars. Polkom offers original YKK coil zips to garment factories, brands and bag and furniture manufacturers in Bulgaria and the EU. We do not manufacture YKK zips – we help with the choice of model, size, tape and slider.

Standard sizes and types

In size No. 5, YKK also uses an improved coil with hollow, bean-shaped teeth that is more abrasion-resistant and runs more smoothly. The “Typical use” column is a guide – the final choice depends on the fabric and the load.

Special types of YKK coil zips

The coil group also includes CONCEAL® invisible zips and AquaGuard® water-repellent zips, as well as models with transparent, reflective or two-tone tape, a combination of different tape and coil colours, and anti-static tape.

Coil facing out or reversed

A standard coil zip is sewn so that the coil is visible on the outside. YKK also allows reversed use, in which the coil faces the inside and only smooth tape shows on the outside. This gives a cleaner look on jackets and bags, but it is not possible with every model – FLATKNIT®, for example, is not used reversed. Specify the desired position in your enquiry.

Coil zips by sector

YKK also lists medical and hygiene products and transport – for example seat upholstery – among the applications of coil zips. Requirements for strength and materials differ for each, so we clarify them before quoting.

Tape colour

Coil zips are ordered in a colour by number from the YKK colour card, and if needed with dyeing to match a sample. This allows a series produced months later to be in the same shade as the first. On some models the coil can be in a different colour from the tape.

How a coil zip is measured

For a closed-end zip YKK measures from the top of the slider to the end of the bottom stop, and for an open-end zip to the end of the separating parts, with the zip fully closed. State separately if you need a longer tape end above the top stop, for example for sewing into a collar. For furniture and luggage with long zips, also specify whether the zip has one or two sliders.

Sewing and usage tips

• leave enough room for the slider – a seam too close to the coil makes it harder to run;
• when closing a full bag, first bring the two sides together so the teeth and tape are not overloaded;
• wash products with the zip closed and do not force the slider – paraffin or wax helps if it runs stiffly;
• for curved seams choose a model with soft knitted tape.

YKK or a standard coil zip?

If the zip brand is not a requirement, Polkom also offers its own nylon coil zips with large stock availability. When the brand standard requires YKK, send us the size, type, length, colour, slider type and quantity – minimum quantities depend on the article. You will find all lines in the YKK zips section.