Metal zippers
We manufacture wholesale metal zippers in Istanbul for the products where metal teeth earn their place, from jeans and leather jackets to bags and boots. Finish, slider and tape are worked out with you, product by product.
What a metal zipper is, and why choose one
On a metal zipper, each tooth is clamped individually onto the thickened edge of the tape. As the slider travels up, opposing teeth mesh; as it comes down, they part. Across the industry those teeth are mostly brass, with aluminium on some lighter products.
Buyers usually pick metal for how it looks. Visible, individual teeth and a choice of plated finishes make the zipper part of the design. On heavy fabric and leather, metal teeth also hold their line and give the product a substantial feel.
Metal is not automatically the strongest answer, though. Strength depends on the size, the tape and how the zipper is made, and on curved seams or very light fabric a coil zipper usually behaves better. See our metal and nylon comparison if you are still deciding.
MAK Zipper has been making metal zippers to world standards in Istanbul since 2005, with a factory in Esenyurt and a sales store in Mercan. Our craftsmen bring more than 20 years of experience, and we ship wholesale worldwide, led by Türkiye and the Balkans.
- Product
- Metal-tooth zippers, wholesale
- End types
- Closed-end, open-end (separating), two-way
- Finishes
- 12 tooth finishes
- Puller
- Metal, plastic and other types
- Tape
- 32 colours; ask us about others
- Size
- Size 3 / 4 / 4.5 / 5 / 8 / 10
- Made in
- Esenyurt, İstanbul
- Sales store
- Semaver Sokak No: 21, Mercan, Fatih, İstanbul
Where metal zippers are used
Metal zippers run from light garments such as skirts and dresses through to heavy outerwear. The right model comes down to your fabric and how the product gets used.
- Jeans and trousersFly zippers are normally closed-end. If the garment is stone or enzyme washed, run the finish and slider through your wash on a sample first. Choosing a zipper for jeans.
- Jackets and coatsGarments that open fully at the front take a separating model. On longer styles, a second slider lets the wearer open the hem when sitting down.
- Leather garmentsMetal teeth suit leather well, but tanning residues can shift the colour of metal over time. The safest check is to try the finish against your own hide.
- Bags and walletsHere the zipper is both hardware and decoration, so pick the finish alongside the buckles and rings on the bag.
- Boots and shoesA boot zipper flexes with every step and gets rough handling. Closed-end models with a locking slider are common, in a size chosen for the thick material.
- Workwear and outerwearHeavy garments that get pulled on and off all day tend to take larger teeth and a locking slider. If you work to a specification, include it with your request.
End types
The end type describes how the two ends of the zipper are finished. It decides how a garment goes on and how a bag opens, so it is one of the first choices to settle.
- Closed-endA single bottom stop holds the two sides together, so they stay joined even when fully open. Used on trouser flies, skirts, pockets, bag compartments and boots.
- Open-end (separating)A pin and box at the bottom let the sides come fully apart. You seat the pin in the box, then pull the slider up. This is the standard solution for jackets and coats.
- Two-wayTwo sliders let the zipper open from either direction. On long coats and parkas the hem can open from below; on bags and travel goods the compartment can be reached from both sides.
Top and bottom stops keep the slider on the chain. On metal zippers they are generally metal too, in the same tone as the teeth. On a separating zipper, the pin and box take the most load, and pulling before the pin is fully seated is a common cause of breakage.
On bags and luggage, closed two-way zippers come in two general layouts. On the O type the zipper is closed when the sliders meet. On the X type it is closed when they sit at opposite ends, and it opens in the middle. There is more in our X and O guide and our guide to end types. Because terms like “two-way” and “double-slider” get used loosely, describe the opening you want when you order.
Choosing the slider and puller
The slider is the body that opens and closes the teeth. The puller, also called the pull tab, is the part you hold. Together they decide how the zipper feels to use.
Slider types
Across the industry, sliders are mostly grouped by how they lock:
- Auto-lock: let go of the puller and the slider stays put until the puller is lifted. Common on jackets, dresses and outerwear.
- Semi-auto: locks when the puller is folded flat and releases when it is lifted. Often seen on jeans and trousers.
- Non-lock: slides freely. Suits bags and luggage that are opened often, where a little movement does no harm.
- Double-pull and reversible: let the zipper be worked from both faces.
Slider bodies are generally die-cast zinc alloy (zamak) or brass. Brass is known as the better option for corrosion and wear under heavy washing.
A slider has to match both the chain type and the size. Even with the same number stamped on it, another maker's slider may not close the teeth properly; our article on slider fit explains why, and our slider guide covers the types in more depth. The full range of metal and plastic sliders and pullers is on our sliders and pullers page. Tell us what you have in mind and we will settle the option with a sample.
Pullers
Common puller types:
- Hooked metal: Hooks onto the slider, with the widest choice of models.
- Looped metal: Easy to grip thanks to its ring opening, common on leather and denim.
- Plastic: Light and colourful, common on sportswear and home textiles.
- Rubber and silicone: Easy to grip, common on outdoor and sports products.
- Leather and imitation leather: Gives a softer finish on leather garments and bags.
- Wire, string and cord: Light and plain, and helpful on products used with gloves.
In the wider market, pullers vary by material and shape: cast metal, wire or hook, plastic or rubber, and leather. A metal puller looks of a piece with the zipper, while leather gives a softer finish on leather goods. Bigger pullers are easier to grip, but can hang and knock on light fabric.
Clamp-on pullers can shed fine metal particles as they move, which may mark pale fabric, so a sample check is worth doing on light colours. Our puller guide has more detail.
Tooth finishes
Our metal zippers come in 17 finishes. The finish covers the teeth, puller and stops alike, so the zipper reads as one colour.
Three questions to ask when choosing a finish
Will it be washed? Stone, enzyme and especially bleach washes can change the colour of a plated surface. Put a sample through the same recipe before committing to a full order.
What is the fabric or leather? Aged tones sit well with denim and leather, but dark surfaces such as Black Free can wear more readily and show the metal underneath. For some products that is the look; for others it is a fault. On pale fabric, check for marking too.
Where will you sell? The EU sets a legal limit on nickel release for metal parts in prolonged contact with skin. Tell us your target market when you enquire. Our nickel article sets out the general picture.
Our finish guide explains how the tones differ, and you can combine them with tape colours in our catalogue.
Tape and colour
The tape is the woven strip the teeth grip. The teeth may catch the eye on a metal zipper, but the tape decides how the zipper sits in the fabric.
Polyester is the most common tape across the industry. Cotton looks more natural and is popular on products like jeans, but it shrinks more in the wash and can hold colour less well. A tightly woven tape also grips the teeth better.
You can see our 32 tape colours here. For anything else, send us a fabric swatch or colour code and we will look at it together. Colour shifts under different lighting, so make the final call with the sample against your fabric in daylight, not on a screen.
Contact us about a custom colourOn-screen colours are indicative only. Request a sample for the exact colour.
Sizing: what Size 5 means
We give zipper sizes by number: Size 5 means the same as international No. 5 or #5. In Türkiye you will also see it written as Tip 5, T5 or 5 numara.
We confirm the exact millimetres on a sample. Describe your product, your fabric and the zipper you use now, or leave the field empty if you are unsure, and we will choose the right size together.
Ordering metal zippers wholesale
Wholesale orders start with a sample, and we keep the process simple.
Send your request
Fill in the sample form or contact us on WhatsApp.
Confirm the details
Our team goes through end type, size, finish and tape with you.
Try the sample
We prepare and ship your sample. Try it on your fabric and in your wash.
Go to production
With your approval, production starts and your order ships from our factory.
Metal zippers: common questions
Which metal zipper works for jeans?
Jeans flies usually take a closed-end metal zipper with a semi-auto slider. The size depends on fabric weight, and if the jeans are washed we recommend testing the finish on a sample in the same wash.
Which model suits jackets and coats?
Anything that opens fully at the front takes a separating zipper, and long styles are more comfortable with a two-way model that also opens from below. An auto-lock slider is the usual choice, because it stays where you leave it.
Is Size 5 the same as No. 5 or #5?
Yes. Size 5 follows the international number scale, so it means the same as No. 5 or #5. In Türkiye it may be written as Tip 5, T5 or 5 numara. We confirm the exact millimetres on a sample.
How is the length set?
Length is made to order. Give us the length you need in centimetres on the sample request and, ideally, where you measure it from.
Will the finish change colour in the wash?
It can. Heavy washes, bleaches and some chemicals can affect a metal surface, and the most reliable test is to put a sample through your own wash recipe.
Is metal stronger than nylon?
Not always. Strength depends on size, tape and construction. Metal stands out for its look and finishes, while coil offers lightness and flexibility, so the choice should follow the product.
Do you export metal zippers?
Yes. We ship wholesale worldwide, led by Türkiye and the Balkans.
Have another question? Please contact us.
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Test the quality yourself, then decide. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.