Pull Tab

Definition and Overview

A pull tab is a part held by hand when opening and closing a zipper. It is attached so that it can move at the pull-tab attachment on the slider body, and it serves to make force easier to transfer for the user as well as to create the product's decorative appearance.

Structure and Relationship to Zipper Components

A zipper is made up of the left and right interlocking teeth, the slider that engages the teeth, the tape, top stops and bottom stops, or a separating device. The pull tab is an operating part attached to the slider, and it is not a term for the interlocking teeth themselves or for the slider as a whole.

Pull tabs come in shapes such as plate-shaped, ring-shaped, and cord-shaped types. The pull tab and slider must be compatible as a pair, and if the shape or dimensions of the attachment part do not match, they may not be freely replaceable later.

Types and How to Specify Them

Pull tabs may be made of metal or resin, or may use combinations such as cord and synthetic leather. Material, surface finish, thickness, and whether there is a hole or ring affect grip, weight, appearance, and how well they blend with other accessories.

A pull tab by itself does not have a tooth size or zipper length. However, the slider used with it should be selected to match the type of zipper, such as coil, molded resin, or metal, and the tooth size. Zipper length is generally checked based on the tooth portion from the top stop to the bottom stop, or in the case of an open zipper, from the top stop to the separating-device side.

• Compatibility between the pull-tab attachment and the slider
• Size and shape that can be pinched during operation
• Strength, weight, and material suited to the product application
• Surface finish and color tone with surrounding accessories

Main Applications

In apparel, they are used for front-opening outerwear, pants, skirts, dresses, and pockets. In bags, they are used to open and close openings and pockets, and larger pull tabs that are easy to operate even while wearing gloves, or versions with added cords, may be selected.

Small pull tabs can give a cleaner look, but operability is affected by the user and the application. For children's clothing, sports and outdoor applications, and parts that are opened and closed frequently, it is important to confirm actual grip comfort with prototypes.

Selection and Notes for Sewing and Washing

A pull tab is not a part sewn directly to textile; it is usually used after being preassembled to the slider. In sewing, check whether the pull tab interferes with sewn sections, plackets, or linings, and design it so that it is less likely to catch textile during opening and closing.

When washing or product washing is performed, take care with scratches, deformation, and changes in the appearance of paint or plating caused by the pull tab hitting other products or the washing tub. If necessary, consider a specification that stores the pull tab inward or a protection method during washing, and perform opening-and-closing tests and appearance checks on the finished product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a pull tab and a slider?

The slider is the main part that passes over the interlocking teeth and engages or separates the left and right teeth. The pull tab is the part attached to that slider and operated with a finger. The pull tab alone does not have the function of opening or closing a zipper; it functions in combination with the compatible slider.

Can a pull tab be replaced later?

If the attachment shape of the slider and the dimensions of the hole or ring on the pull-tab side match, replacement may be possible. However, widening the attachment part can also cause deformation or damage. In mass production, the specification is determined with the pull tab and slider combined, and durability and opening-closing performance are checked in advance.

Is zipper length measured including the pull tab?

In general, zipper length does not include the pull tab, and is checked based on the continuous tooth section. For a closed zipper, the standard is from the top stop to the bottom stop, and for an open zipper, from the top stop to the separating-device side. Because this may differ depending on the product or the way the supplier indicates it, the standard should be unified in the specification sheet.