Whether it is used to convey a message, make a style statement, or attend concerts, seminars, etc., wristbands can be a perfect accessory. They have grown in popularity. However, it is crucial to choose the right material for the occasion. The following article discusses different types of wristbands and how to choose one:

Types of wristbands
Based on the type of material, purpose, extent of usage, durability, and price, here are five main types of wrist bands.

Silicone wristbands
These types of wristbands are typically used for merchandising. Being one of the most popular types of wristbands, these are known for being elastic, waterproof, can even last for years. Many wristband manufacturers also refer to them as rubber wristbands because of their texture and elasticity. However, most of these are latex-free and do not contain rubber. Apart from printing, silicone wristbands can be customized by adding radium which glows in the absence of light. These glow-in-the-dark silicone wrist bands are one of the most popular types of wristbands and can be especially seen in music festivals organized post evening.

Tyvek wristbands
These types of wristbands are popularly used in crowd-heavy events like concerts, conferences, and festivals. Tyvek wristbands are made from water-resistant, durable paper known as Dupont Tyvek. These come in a variety of colors, in the form of self-adhesive strips, making them easy to wear. One of the advantages of using Tyvek wristbands is that they can be easily printed using an ink-jet printer which makes them great for customization.

Vinyl wristbands
Unlike Tyvek wristbands with a self-adhesive strip, vinyl wristbands come with pull-tab options, making them ideal for multi-day events and festivals. Vinyl wristbands enable you to unbutton and reuse them. These also come in a variety of colors and can be easily printed for customization.

Plastic wristbands
Made from plastic, this type of wristband can be considered as cheaper alternatives to vinyl wristbands. Similar to vinyl wristbands, plastic wristbands also come with a button. However, they differ in functionality as plastic wristbands come with a snap button, making them suitable for single-day events. Plastic wristbands are best for events that require crowd control and security. Being plastic, they are also waterproof, making them suitable to be used at waterparks.

Fabric wristbands
No other type of wristband is as comfortable as fabric wristbands. The woven wristband is a type of fabric wristband that is popular for single-day music festivals.   However, they are more expensive than other types of wristbands because of the material. Hence, you will notice that woven cloth wrist bands are mostly used for brand-heavy events and music festivals.

On the other hand, printed cloth wristbands are cheaper than their woven counterparts if you are looking for fabric wristbands. You will get various print options and better graphic resolution on cloth wristbands.

Sweatbands are the third type of fabric wristbands used mainly by athletes or people engaging in high-energy sports events. They are typically made from fabric that quickly absorbs sweat from the skin. They are also sometimes referred to as sweatbands. Although they are customizable, they are often expensive than their counterparts.

Choosing a wristband
Following are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a type of wristband.

• Comfort
  Comfort is one of the most important factors when choosing a wristband. So, fabric wristbands can be your best bet if you are looking for multiple-day events. On the other hand, Tyvek wristbands can have sharp edges, which can bruise the skin around the wrist if worn for a longer time. Hence, it is recommended to look for cloth wristbands if you are looking for comfort.
• Customization
  Customization in terms of adding color, print, and graphic designs to the wristbands is possible. In this case, woven or fabric wristbands can be an expensive option, as almost eight colors of different threads might be required. Printing on a plain cloth might also be costly as it requires a special type of printing. In such cases, it is recommended to opt for Tyvek or vinyl wristbands as they are easier to print.
• Environment-friendly
  This is also an important factor to consider if you are looking for biodegradable options. While hemp can be considered as an environment-friendly alternative, there are not many options available as wristbands made with a blend of hemp are difficult to customize. In such cases, Tyvek or plastic wristbands made from recycled plastic can be considered. Not only are they environment-friendly but also a cheaper option than their cloth counterparts. Some manufacturers also use polyester while making cloth wristbands which usually end up as non-composite landfills.
• Price
  This is yet another one of the most important factors when choosing a type of wristband. As mentioned earlier, cloth wristbands are the most expensive, ranging from $15 to $30 depending on the blend and quality of cloth. Tyvek wrist bands are the cheapest options available as they can be as reasonable as $0.3. The price of wristbands increases with customization. Hence, it is recommended to go for cloth wristbands for brand-heavy events spanning four to five days. Tyvek wristbands are great for single-day events and festivals.

Printing options
If you have shortlisted the type of wristband and are looking for customization through printing, following are different types of printing processes you need to know

• Debossing
  It is a popular printing method usually used for customizing wristbands. The process involves engraving texts and graphics on the surface of the wristband. The method is typically used on silicone wristbands. Deboss-filling is a subtype of this method. The only difference is deboss-filling typically involves manual filling of text and graphics engraved on the wristband for added effect.
• Embossing
  Opposite of debossing, this method involves a printing process in which texts and graphics appear raised on the wristbands.
• Imprinting
  This is the most common type of printing process used in the customization of wristbands. It typically involves screen printing wear-resistant ink to be printed on the surface of the wristband. The main advantage of this type of printing is, it can be used on almost every material.