Nowadays, businesses are all about branding and packaging. To be dubbed as elegant, aesthetic, classic, and high-end, one must consider ways to reflect these qualities to packaging. Thus, the birth of using ribbons for decoration in brand packaging.
Ribbons add a visual appeal to the basic imprinted or plain boxes. Ribbons give a certain sense of ‘oomph’ to a plain container (a box or a paper bag), regardless of the material it’s made of or the design itself. Also, untying a ribbon can feel very regal and elegant for customers; that is why ribbon decorations should be considered when planning how to establish your brand image.
Ribbons in detail
Ribbons are narrow decorative fabrics ranging from 0.32-30 cm in width. They may vary infinitely in terms of texture, variety, materials, and color. Because of technology, ribbons can be made of virtually any fabric, including satin, velvet, rayon, and nylon.
Moreover, ribbons can be printed, woven, patterned, braided, decorated with sequins or pearls, embroidered, laced, or even with metal ends. The flexibility of what one can do to ribbons offers infinite choices to pick out the best ribbon that suits your brand.
Ribbons and personalization
Ribbons have appeared since our ancestors have started making fabrics. They are one of the oldest adorning materials. Back then, people always loved personalizing their household goods, clothing, and even personal possessions with different ribbons.
At first, earlier people used them in decorating clothes, hats. They went as far as becoming a part of the identity that marks different social classes and cultures. And during the onset of the industrial industry, ribbons have started dominating gift-wrapping.
As much as what ribbons have done to create an identity for a particular group of people, it may definitely give your brand an identity, too.
If you want to be portrayed as high-end and classy, black, silky ribbons may do the job. You can use a jute or twig ribbon partnered with a simple kraft box if you want to be seen as an environmentalist brand. And suppose you want to embed your brand’s color palette deeply. In that case, you may choose a ribbon that matches your colors, along with the appropriate material and design.
Types of ribbon in the industry
As mentioned, ribbons may be manufactured using a wide range of raw materials. They may be classified according to texture and type. Moreover, there are three types of ribbons in the textile/fabric industry: wire-edge, woven-edge, and cut-edge ribbons.
Wire-edge ribbons
Wire-edge ribbons are a type of ribbons that machines may cut from wider and broader strips of clothing with their edges wrapped on thin wires. This ribbon type may also have a wire woven into the fabrics down the middle or along its edges.
A wire mesh may also be woven to create a ribbon with or without silk or yarns for additional color. This type of ribbon is versatile as the incorporation of wire allows holding the ribbon’s shape. However, the material cannot be washed.
Woven-edge ribbons
The most common among the ribbon types, woven-edge ribbons, are narrow fabrics with two woven edges or “selvedges” that can be shaped or straight. This type of ribbon is often washable because the woven edges prevent the ribbon from fraying.
Cut-edge ribbons
Lastly, the ones used in gift packaging are called cut-edge ribbons or craft ribbons. The fabric used in this type of ribbon is usually printed, patterned, or decorated with designs printed using heat, then cut to the desired width.
Then, the product is treated with a stiffener that prevents edges from fraying. In making high-quality ribbons of this type, a cut-edge ribbon should be made of a thermoplastic called acetate. The acetate is cut by a hot knife, allowing the fusing of edges right away.
Types of ribbon according to style
To make each ribbon unique, they are also customized according to style. These types vary in materials, shape, uses, flexibility, and other factors. And to give you an idea regarding the styles you can use for your business, we have compiled the most commonly used ribbon types for packaging.
Satin ribbons
Perhaps the most common among all styles, satin ribbons are a type of ribbon that may use cotton, pliable and very soft silk, or nylon with a shiny surface. Sometimes, the glossy surface can be seen on both sides, and sometimes on only one side. The one-sided satin ribbon has the other side with a matte finish.
Usually, the satin ribbon with the shiny double-sided surface is used for occasions when the ribbon will be visible, such as a sash.
Satin ribbons come in varying widths and maybe in a solid color or printed. Because of its versatility and simplicity, it is the one that people can use for all varying purposes. It is also not expensive.
Taffeta ribbons
The taffeta ribbon is made of translucent and lightweight silk, polyester, or rayon, with most ribbons wired. This ribbon is characterized by its ‘crispiness,’ making it hold its shape even if it is not wired.
Among all types of taffeta ribbons, silk taffetas are the ones deemed the prettiest. However, they are not readily available.
On the other hand, rayon taffeta ribbons also look nice and are more available than silk taffeta ribbons.
Grosgrain ribbons
Commonly seen in lanyards, ID laces, or those very similar to backpacks, grosgrain ribbons are durable, sturdy, supple ribbons with a distinct feature: their crosswise ridges on their surface.
Usually, these ridges are coarse or matte in texture, making them more able to tolerate greater weights, allowing heavier multipurpose works.
Picot-edge ribbons
Picot-edge ribbons have a certain feature called picots. These are fine, round, decorative loops on either edge of the ribbon. They are spaced evenly and look very subtle.
Usually, grosgrain ribbons and satin ribbons are the types of ribbons where picots may be put.
Twill ribbons
Twill ribbons are usually made of woven cotton or polyester that can be utilized in creating crisp, strong bows. It is perfect if you want simple product packaging. Businesses can also use them for hair bows, gifts, and product presentations.
Some manufacturers allow customization of twill ribbons to match their purpose.
Brocade ribbons
From the word brocade, these ribbons are embroidered with designs. Because they are embroidered, one side is considered the ‘right side, while the other side where the back of the embroidery is located on the ‘wrong side.’
Before, this ribbon served as personal projects and can take much time when making. But now, these are sold by manufacturers in large amounts as they have machines that do the embroidery now.
Shimmery and sheer ribbons
Usually made of Organdy, Chiffon, or Organza, these ribbons are lightweight and have an open weave. This type of ribbon is commonly used to make bows, flowers, motifs, party decorations, accessories, and gift packaging. However, due to its open weave, it can easily have runs on its fabric when some threads are pulled out.
Tulle ribbons
It is a mesh-type of ribbon that resembles a net. The fabric used for tulle ribbons is usually the ones you see in petticoats or kids’ ballerina dresses. This fabric is also associated with elegance and sophistication. That’s why it is used at weddings.
You can use it to make hair bows, rosettes, chuppahs, awareness ribbons, flowers, ornaments, garment accessories, etc.
Chenille or velvet ribbons
These types of ribbons have a cut pile on the surface, just like their materials, velvet, and chenille. Chenille ribbons have pile tufts, while velvet ribbons have a pile overall.
These ribbons are best used as clothing partners, scrunchies, or night garments due to their fabric qualities.
Silk ribbons
Back in the day, silk was considered a precious item because of the elegance and beauty it exudes. Indeed, silk’s incredible qualities as a fabric still live up to its reputation.
Silk ribbons are smooth, soft, valuable ribbons. Authentic silk may be hand-dyed or machine-dyed. Nevertheless, this type of ribbon still looks splendid.
Usually, these dyed ribbons are used in embroidery. But you can also use them for styling and packaging.
Metallic ribbons
Characterized by their shiny, metallic effects, metallic ribbons are made of metallic threads. You may see gold and silver threads mixed with other types of fibers to create a metallic ribbon beauty.
These ribbons can usually be seen as part of gift wraps during big occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, Christmas, even milestones, and grand birthdays.
Poly ribbons or curling craft ribbons
Remember just pulling a straight synthetic ribbon using the edge of a scissor, and it comes out with a pretty curl? These ribbons are poly ribbons or curling craft ribbons.
These ribbons vary in widths. But the smaller ones provide the curliest curls that these ribbons can give.
Usually, they are used to add flair to plain gift wraps. Sometimes, you can put on the ribbon itself the surface of gifts. Say, for example, on the neck of a bottle of wine.
Burlap/jute ribbons
This ribbon is popular amongst environmental lovers as it uses organic materials such as flax, jute, or hemp fibers for its fabric. It is a sturdy and stylish ribbon that offers a rustic vibe to where it is used.
Zari Ribbon
This ribbon is characterized by woven silver or gold thread patterns in the ribbon. Zari, a metallic thread, is used in embroidering to give an ancient, traditional feel to the ribbon. This ribbon mustn’t be interchanged with metallic ribbons.
Metallic ribbons have mixed fibers of other materials and do not have embroidered patterns, while Zari ribbons have embroideries.
Acetate Ribbon
The acetate ribbon is a stiff type of ribbon with a dating finish. It is woven using an acetate thread in a satin weave. Usually, this type of ribbon is used in gift wrapping and packaging.
Petersham ribbon
This type of ribbon is more used in clothing than in packaging. It serves as a facing for waistlines in dresses or skirts as well as a decorative trim. It may look similar to the grosgrain ribbon, but the Petersham ribbon is more elegant and sturdy.
Ribbons for your packaging needs
XHM Custom Packaging can help you with your branding needs. Whether you wanted a satin ribbon, picot-edge ribbon, or a Petersham ribbon to make your packaging high-end, XHM’s got it for you. We also customize boxes, wraps, bags, and other packaging.
