Differences Between Metal Eyelets and Plastic Eyelets

An eyelet is a reinforcing element that is inserted through various materials—such as tarps, fabrics, banners, posters, carbon fiber, PVC, etc.—to allow fasteners to pass through them. An eyelet can be reinforced with a washer, which strengthens the connection between the fastener and another material. Its use is widespread across various markets, ranging from digitally printed signage to supports for awnings, curtains, or pool covers.

There are different types of eyelets on the market, depending on the material. The most common are metal eyelets (iron, brass, or aluminum) and plastic eyelets (which come in both transparent and solid colors). When choosing an eyelet, the main factors to consider are the type of material to be used and the quality of the finish you hope to achieve.

If you’re already using metal eyelets, is it worth replacing them with plastic ones? It’s true that metal has traditionally been the most common choice, but it’s important to understand how the two types of eyelets differ in order to evaluate whether to switch to plastic in production.

4 Differences Between Eyelets

Next, we’ll look at the main differences between metal eyelets and plastic eyelets:

1. Durability of the eyelet material

It is one of the main differences between the two eyelets.

Metal grommets are prone to corrosion due to the rust they develop over time. In addition, the malleability of the material can cause it to deform and stain the fabric where it is attached. It is common to see rust marks on tarps right beneath the metal grommets, leaving the grommet holes stained and worn.

There are eyelets made of corrosion-resistant metals, such as aluminum, but the cost of the part increases considerably.

In contrast, plastic eyelets cannot rust because of the type of material they’re made of, and their thickness prevents them from warping.

2. Image of the mount

In large-format graphic printing, image quality is the most important factor. A good substrate and a good image are essential for image quality, but what role do grommets play? Since grommets are added during the final stages of banner production, we aim to ensure they have as little impact as possible on image quality.

A good mount and a good image are essential for image quality.

Metal grommets disrupt the composition because they are a solid element. In contrast, there are transparent plastic grommets that are barely visible, allowing the image printed beneath them to remain visible. While the visual impact may not be as striking on large-format banners, on X-shaped displays or in medium-format applications, the grommet may be too noticeable.

The important thing is that the print is visible, which is why it’s becoming more and more common in the digital printing industry to use plastic grommets.

3. Sustainability and Recycling of Eyelets

Plastic eyelets are free of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury, and are phthalate-free. Unlike metal eyelets, plastic eyelets can be used in food-contact applications (in accordance with EU and FDA regulations).

Furthermore, there is no waste from scrap during the manufacturing of the part, since all defective parts are reprocessed.

One of the advantages of plastic grommets is that they can be included in the recycling streams for PP or PE materials, making them the perfect solution for banners of this type. On the other hand, if you use metal grommets, you’ll have to remove them before the material can be recycled, which takes up production time. PP or PE tarps are very common in supermarket advertising, so the use of plastic grommets is recommended.

4. Strength of the eyelets

While it is true that plastic eyelets are more flexible than metal ones, there are no major differences between the two.

In both cases, when a tarp is pulled tight and isn’t properly reinforced, it tears around the grommet. The tarp material will then be the first to give way under the tension (in this article, you can learn more about the strength criteria for grommets).

The four characteristics analyzed that distinguish one eyelet from another are a good starting point for determining which type of eyelet to use. If you’re looking for durability, aesthetics, eco-friendliness, and stability, plastic eyelets are the best option. They undoubtedly offer more advantages than metal ones, which is why they’re so common in the digital printing market.

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