Short answer: There are three core families, coil (nylon or polyester), moulded plastic and metal. Each family is made in several sizes and in closed-end, open-end, two-way, invisible and reverse configurations, and each can carry extra features such as waterproofing or flame resistance. The practical count runs to dozens of functional types and hundreds of catalogue codes.
Questions about "how many types" usually come from buyers trying to write a specification. The honest answer is that the count depends on how you slice it. By construction there are three families. By function there are perhaps ten common configurations. By size and finish, the number runs into the thousands.
Detailed Explanation
The first division is the element material. Coil zips are woven from a continuous plastic filament, usually nylon or polyester, spiralled into a chain and sewn onto the tape. Moulded plastic zips have individual teeth injection-moulded directly onto the tape, which makes them stiffer and stronger. Metal zips use brass, aluminium or other alloy teeth clamped onto the tape, giving the highest strength and a distinct appearance.
The second division is the end type. A closed-end zip is joined permanently at the bottom and is used on bags, pockets and trousers. An open-end, or separating, zip has a box and pin so the two halves come apart completely, which is essential for jackets. A two-way zip has two sliders. An invisible zip conceals the chain in a seam. A reverse coil zip turns the coil to the back for a clean face.
The third division is size, from #2 micro zips used on luggage tags and lightweight garments up to #15 and beyond for heavy industrial and marine use. Size determines chain width, tape width, slider body and strength, and it is the number that appears in most specifications.
The fourth division is performance. Waterproof, flame-retardant, anti-static, glow-in-the-dark, reflective, antimicrobial and tamper-evident zips all exist. Each is a variation on one of the three families rather than a separate family, which is why catalogues can look overwhelming while the underlying logic stays simple.
Standards add another layer. Zippers are tested under national and international methods for pull strength, slider locking and cycle life, and a specification that names the standard is far easier to compare than one that quotes a family name alone. Two suppliers can both offer a #5 coil and still differ in every measurable property, from tape shrinkage and colour fastness to slider spring force and stop retention.
Comparison
| Family | Element | Strength | Flexibility | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coil | Nylon or polyester filament | Moderate | Very high | Sportswear, bags, bedding |
| Moulded plastic | Injection-moulded POM teeth | High | Moderate | Outerwear, luggage, marine |
| Metal | Brass or alloy teeth | Very high | Low | Denim, leather, workwear |
Within each family the configuration multiplies the options. A coil zip alone can be closed-end, open-end, two-way, invisible, reverse or waterproof, in eight sizes, with a dozen slider styles. That is already hundreds of combinations from one family.
How to Choose
Choose the family from the fabric and the load, then the configuration from the garment opening, then the size from the weight. Finish with the slider and the performance features. Working in that order avoids the common trap of starting from a catalogue page and trying to make the garment fit the zip.
For most apparel programmes, four or five specifications cover the entire range: a #3 coil for linings, a #5 coil for light outerwear, a #5 metal for denim, a #8 moulded for heavy outerwear and a #5 waterproof coil for shells. Reducing the number of specifications lowers cost, simplifies spares and makes quality control easier.
Ask the supplier for the full construction sheet, not just the family name. Slider code, tape composition, stop type and coating all affect performance, and Donglong Zipper documents these for every article so that a specification can be repeated across seasons.
Common Mistakes
Treating "coil" and "nylon" as synonyms is common; polyester coil is widely used and behaves differently in dyeing and heat resistance. Another mistake is assuming that a moulded zip is waterproof because the teeth look solid, when the tape and stitching still let water through. A third is ordering by family name only, without the size and configuration, which produces the wrong part about half the time.
Buyers also over-specify. A programme with twenty zipper codes has twenty sets of test data, twenty spare-part stocks and twenty chances of a mismatch. Consolidation is usually the better commercial decision.
FAQ Summary
- Three families: coil, moulded plastic and metal.
- Ten or so common configurations, from closed-end to two-way.
- Sizes run from #2 micro to #15 industrial.
- Performance features are variations, not separate families.
- Consolidate specifications to control cost and quality.
The industry looks complex because the combinations are numerous, but the logic is simple. Family, configuration, size, slider and finish are the only five decisions, and once they are fixed the catalogue narrows to a handful of valid articles.