What paper wristbands are made of

Tyvek, explained

Tyvek is DuPont’s name for a family of sheets made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Continuous fibres, far finer than a human hair, are spun and then bonded together with heat and pressure, without binders. Look closely at a band and you can see the web of fibres in it.

• Hard to tear, easy to cut. It resists a pull by hand but cuts cleanly with scissors, which is exactly what a wristband needs.
• Water-resistant. Liquid water beads off it rather than soaking in.
• Prints like paper. It takes ink, numbering and codes.

"Tyvek" is a brand

Tyvek is a registered trademark of DuPont. Other manufacturers make similar spunbonded and synthetic sheets, and many bands sold as "Tyvek wristbands" are made from them. Neither is wrong; the point is to know which you are buying. Ask the supplier for the material and its grade in writing.

Our bands: Tyvek-type synthetic paper (not DuPont), 70 or 75 gsm.

Grammage: what gsm tells you

Grammage, in grams per square metre, describes how heavy the sheet is. Indian listings quote figures from about 80 gsm to 120 gsm. A heavier sheet feels stiffer and more substantial; a lighter one is more comfortable over a long day. Compare quotes at the same grammage.

Two tests for a sample

• The tear test. Try to tear the band across its width with your hands. A good synthetic band will not start a tear without a nick.
• The water test. Wet the band, rub the print with a thumb, and leave it on a wrist for an evening. The print should stay legible and the closure should hold.