Hook and loop fasteners, perhaps more commonly known as a Velcro hook loop fastener or Velcro, is not just for clothing or to fasten the back of children's costumes at Halloween. The industrial hook and loop fastener can either be sewn or adhered with adhesive, and some of the industrial hooks can even withstand temperatures over 200 degrees F.

Hook and loop fasteners education and training should include the various types of hook & loop fasteners as well as which type of hook and loop fastener works best with various applications. Industrial hook and loop fasteners are a different breed than their mild-mannered clothing cousins. Consider these options as part of your education:

1. Learn when to use sew on hook fasteners.

2. Use adhesive hook and loop fasteners to their best advantage.

3. Make use of industrial hook and loop fasteners.

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Get the most of sew on hook fasteners

Sew on hook fasteners to rely on being sewed in place, rather than adhesive, like other hook & loop fasteners. Sewing on the fasteners can take more time than securing hook fasteners with adhesive. However, this type of hook fastener works well in not only clothing, but on supplies like bags (from carpenter's bags to computer bags and more), and practically anything else. A bonus is that the sewn in hooks and loops tend to be softer, so they work especially well with clothing.

I recommend: Overview of VELCRO Brand Products and Definitions has some helpful information that discusses sewn on hooks and loop fasteners. The Garden Web has a helpful discussion on sewing on hook and loop fasteners.

Use adhesive-backed hook and loops fasteners

Adhesive-backed hooks and loops fasteners work well on non-porous surfaces, which means that these fasteners can work well in more heavy-duty applications. For example, adhesive-backed hooks and loops fasteners can secure cabinet doors or walls. Some of the adhesive-backed hooks and loops fasteners come off easily, so that they can be for use in temporary applications where damaging the paint is a concern.

I recommend: Velcro 95005: Removable Adhesive Hook and Loop Fasteners is a good review of adhesive-backed hook and loop fastener that is easily removable. Cable Organizer has a good section on the various adhesive-backed hook and loop fasteners and their uses.

Employ industrial hook and loop fasteners

These hook and loop fasteners are the work horses of the hook and loop fastener world. If you need these fasteners to withstand insane temperatures or stick despite oil, then these are the fasteners for you.

I recommend: Perfectex does sell military-grade hook and loop fasteners, but the detailed information it provides about the product is very helpful to anyone's hook and loop fasteners education and training. Velcro has some helpful information about their fasteners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have any concerns or do not know which hook and loop fastener to use, contact the manufacturer. They can provide information that can further help you in your search for the best fastener.

Hook and loop fastening products are available in a wide array of styles and sizes, as are industrial hook and loop fasteners, and can be customized to suit your specific business needs. Carefully consider your business needs when shopping for hook and loop suppliers to make sure your needs can be met easily and quickly.

Hook & loop fasteners are available at home improvement stores and grocery stores, but consider any unique features you require in your hook and loop before buying a generic product. Regardless of whether you need industrial hooks or a hook and loop product suitable for the medical field, there are hook and loop manufacturers who will customize the product to your special needs.

1. Consider customer service when evaluating hook and loop manufacturers.

2. Review the hook and loop products available.

3. Take advantage of hook and loop brochures and samples.

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Customer service counts with hook and loop distributors

Customer service is a critical part of any distribution relationship. You need to know that any questions you have will be answered quickly, appropriately and fully so you can get on with your business. In addition, customer service can help you with shipping or billing questions.

I recommend: Uline Shipping Supplies offers 24 hour customer service via telephone, fax, email and live chat while Textol Systems offers a customer service center where you can find their telephone and fax numbers, along with their customer service email.

Look for companies that have a variety of products including industrial hook and loop

Chances are good you'll eventually need more type or style of hook fasteners and that will most likely include industrial hooks. When you're considering your supplier, make sure they can meet all of your needs, including fire retardant, industrial hook and loop fastener and hook fasteners in a variety of strengths and colors.

I recommend: National Webbing Products offers a variety of strength of hook and loop fasteners as well as heat resistant, cold resistant and specialized cuts. Industrial Tape & Supply Company offers a wide array of hook and loop products including 30 colors and industrial strength hook and loop.

Find hook and loop manufacturers with brochures and samples

Take advantage of printed materials such as brochures and catalogs and request samples of the products prior to placing your order. By reviewing their catalogs, you can familiarize yourself with their products at your own pace and a sample of the product will allow you to scrutinize the quality so you know what to expect when you place an order.

I recommend: Converters Inc. offers a free brochure so you can peruse their products in the comfort of your office while Can Do national Tape will send you a free sample of their product, allowing you to review their quality prior to placing a large order.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider specialized hook and loop fastener products such as those suitable for the medical field or high cycle, meaning they'll function for much longer periods of time.

A hook and loop fastener is a special type of fastener that has applications in various industries, such as aerospace, construction, food processing and medical. A hook and loop fastener consists of two layers — one layer has tiny hooks that engage in the loops on the other layer.

While interacting with the suppliers of hook and loop fasteners, you will come across some technical terms that indicate types, components and processes relating to these fasteners. This guide will explain some key terms, such as coins, dual lock fasteners, hook and loop cable tie fasteners and kiss cutting.

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Coins

Coins are round circles of hook and loop fasteners with a peel and stick backing. Coins and dots refer to the hook and loop fasteners that are cut into circular shapes for the convenience of the user or aesthetic needs.

I recommend: HookandLoop.com, an online distributor of hook and loop fasteners, offers information about coins and cut pieces.

Dual lock fasteners

A dual lock fastener consists of a continuous strip of plastic backing with tiny mushroom shaped stems protruding up from its backing strip. When two pieces of dual lock fasteners are pressed together, the mushroom heads interlock with each another creating an audible snap, which indicates that the fastener is locked.

I recommend: 3M (PDF), a reputable supplier of adhesives and tapes, explains dual lock fasteners and their characteristics.

Hook and loop cable tie fasteners

A hook and loop cable tie fastener is a soft material fastener that is adjustable and reusable. These cable tie fasteners are useful for bundling soft cables such as fiber optic cables and CAT 5 cables.

I recommend: For more information about hook and loop cable ties, read through information at Panduit Corp. (PDF). Rip 'n' Grip Hook & Loop Fasteners also provides basic information about these hook and loop fasteners.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives

A pressure-sensitive adhesive is an adhesive that comes pre-coated on the back of hook and loop material. As these adhesives do not require any moistening agents or chemicals, they are commonly used with the hook and loop fasteners.

I recommend: The California Integrated Waste Management Board, a state agency, explains the importance of pressure sensitive adhesives.

Nylon

Nylon fibers are very strong and abrasion resistant. In addition, these synthetic fibers are elastic, easy to wash and quite lustrous. This makes nylon an ideal material for manufacturing the hook part of a hook and loop fastener.

I recommend: The Polymer Science Learning Center, an interactive website in the field of polymer education, provides detailed description about nylon.

Kiss cutting

Kiss cutting is a die cutting process in which the die cuts the face material of a laminated substrate in a manner that the support material is not cut. You can peel off the face material to apply the hook and loop fastener coin or strap as per the application requirements.

I recommend: Diecrafters (PDF), a die-cutting service provider, explains the technique for the kiss cutting process.