Before we dive into Tyvek Wristbands, let’s first answer the question “What is Tyvek?” to get a better understanding of the mysterious material.
What Is Tyvek?
Tyvek is made up of synthetic polyethylene fibers and is 100% recyclable like plastic bottles - but oh boy, Tyvek can do much more than be recycled. We’ll give you the entire history of Tyvek and its uses in the wristband world. Let’s dive in.
History of Tyvek
The history of Tyvek dates all the way back to 1955 when a researcher from DuPont named Jim White discovered a new fiber source while working in an experimental lab. While conducting standard experiments White had noticed a mysterious white fluff which was found to be a form of polyethylene. It wasn’t for a few years later until technology had improved that the team at DuPont discovered that when the fluff was spun at higher speeds it would produce a stronger fabric. Around 1959 DuPont set out for a patent on this new discovery and was successful - however, it wasn’t until 1965 when DuPont branded Tyvek as Tyvek - it was trademarked at this point. The rest is history!
What is Tyvek Used For?
Tyvek has a wide range of use cases in the modern age and given its discovery - the uses typically revolve around strong-based environments or uses where it needs to survive.
- House wraps to protect wood from moisture damage
- Coveralls (yes, coveralls)
- Clothing
- Medical packaging
- New Zealand drivers licenses from 1086 to 1999
- DIY projects
- Bank notes
- Wristbands
The evolution of Tyvek continues to show overtime as more and more brands are adopting Tyvek into their operations and one in particular that is most commonly known is Tyvek wristbands.
Tyvek Wristbands? Why?
Tyvek’s properties of being durable, waterproof and paper-like is the perfect mixture for a comfortable and durable wristband. If you’ve been to a waterpark you might have recalled a wristband that felt like paper, it might have even confused you at first as to how it wouldn’t dissolve. Well, my friend, that wristband was Tyvek.
Durable
If we go beyond the waterpark example and look into more demanding events - you’ll understand why Tyvek is so popular. The paper-like fabrics that are ultimately a flimsy synthetic plastic, provide a level of durability that is hard to replicate through other means without sacrificing on comfort.
Comfort
Tyvek wristbands are known for the comfort that they can provide. Many favor pealdown Tyvek wristbands for both the simplicity and the fact that they don’t “cut” into your skin like traditional plastic wristbands.
Waterproof
Aside from the waterpark example, Tyvek is commonly used in outdoor events for the simple reason of weather. It’s hard to predict the weather months out and it’s better safe than sorry if it rains on the special day. Using Tyvek wristbands provides event organizers with some level of comfort knowing that their wristbands will be waterproof, durable and comfortable of course.
Cost-Effective
Tyvek being a fastly spun fabric doesn’t cost a whole lot to manufacture and it’s a relatively quick process which makes the sales of Tyvek a more affordable choice for the buyer and vendor.
Variety
Tyvek wristbands resemble a paper-like texture and with that you can imprint nearly anything onto Tyvek wristbands just as you could with paper in a printer. The customization options for the Tyvek wristband are endless. You aren’t simply limited to “VIP” in yellow on a black wristband - Tyvek wristbands can be printed in the entire RGB format allowing for millions of colors per spectrum.
Recyclable
As we mentioned at the start of this article - Tyvek is a synthetic plastic made from fibers - yes it’s confusing - but that’s okay! Its properties enable you to recycle Tyvek with ease just as you would with plastic bottles. This makes cleaning up much easier for events and won’t leave you with a guilty conscience for using “paper” wristbands - for eco-based events it's a win-win!
Tyvek vs. Other Wristbands
Tyvek as time has told continues to be the #1 choice for event-goers when it comes to comfort and quality but how does Tyvek stack up against other wristband materials?
Tyvek Vs. Plastic Wristbands
When comparing the two, it seems obvious on surface level that one is paper-like material whereas the other is a solid plastic (and oftentimes removable) - but even at our Tyvek praise comes some praise for plastic wristbands.
Plastic Wristbands
When it comes to plastic wristbands there are a few benefits that can outweigh the choice to go with Tyvek and here’s our top benefits:
- Removable
- Higher quality imprints
- Large color variety
- Supports tear-off tabs
- Waterproof
- Durable
On the flip side of the coin there are a few disadvantages of plastic wristbands:
- Not comfortable for long periods
- More costly
Still, it seems that the debate has more to go. Tyvek is ultimately not as strong as plastic wristbands however, the cost to produce Tyvek is much cheaper and does not offer as many features less than plastic leading to many going for Tyvek.
Tyvek Vs. Vinyl Wristbands
With the same level of argument we’ll cover benefits of vinyl wristbands as well as the disadvantages to help you choose the best type of wristband for your event.
Vinyl Wristbands
Vinyl wristbands actually boast a large variety of praise from its loyal event users and that is also for great reason.
Let’s cover the benefits of vinyl wristbands:
- Removable
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
Vinyl wristbands do come with some disadvantages such as:
- Far more expensive than other wristbands
- Some consider them to be uncomfortable (it’s a 50/50)
- Less variety
- Imprints are limited
The benefits unfortunately are less than what Tyvek wristbands have to offer.
Tyvek Makes The Best Wristbands
Tyvek is the #1 choice for wristbands! Be sure to order your Tyvek wristbands from Event Wristbands! Thanks for reading!
