Wooden beads, rhinestones and eyelets provide visual interest to the latest textile cinchers.

Makers of textile belts in China are incorporating various surface effects and motifs through the use of embellishments and ornamental techniques.

	Shanghai Ouyuan's Sam-0756 model is a webbing belt with a floral print. The zinc alloy buckle is free of nickel and lead.

Companies decorate ethnic-themed sashes with beads and tassels. Natural trimmings such as turquoise, wood, and coconut and seashells are also employed. The products have rope at the ends to serve as a fastener.

For a bold look, suppliers are creating harness-style cinchers made of webbing and elastic tape. PU leather tabs are attached to each end. The bands are secured using oversized floral, butterfly or bow-shaped clasps. Rhinestone-studded buckles are utilized as well.

Color modernizes canvas belts via allover novelty prints or eyelets in rainbow hues. For the former, examples include skulls, guitars and leopard skin. Moreover, knitted, plaited and crocheted models are becoming popular. These are adorned with handmade rosettes.

Although the R&D focus is on aesthetics, suppliers are not losing view of material safety. Azo-free yarns and fabrics are utilized across all price segments, while electroplating for upscale designs does not contain lead and nickel.

Businesses generally source inputs and subcontract coating to longtime partners. If they need to look for new mills and finishing specialists that offer better rates, however, the capability to provide nontoxic components is also considered.

In the 12 months to April 2011, mainland China suppliers exported nearly 1.8 million textile belts worth more than $6 million. This shows YoY growth of 12 and 11 percent in volume and value, respectively.

Prices start below $1.50 and can exceed $3. The key determinants are materials and trimmings.

Polyester, rayon, viscose, cotton, jute and nylon are the common choices for the band. These may be in the form of fabric, elastic tape, webbing or ribbon. Hook-and-loop tape, and metal buckles and clasps are the usual fasteners. Decorative options include sequins, coconut and seashells, turquoise, lace, embroidery, topstitching, patches, buttons, beads, charms, grommets, rivets and rhinestones. Recent releases utilize at least two types of ornaments.

Quotes are also affected by the origin of inputs. Fibers and accessories from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, South America and Italy are adopted only in midrange and high-end models.

Design complexity is another factor. Because adornments are typically attached by hand, this dictates labor costs.

Prices increased more than 10 percent in the past quarter due to mounting material and worker outlay. With expenses continuously climbing and the yuan expected to continue appreciating against the US dollar, companies may augment quotes between 5 and 10 percent in the next six months.

Product gallery

Product gallery Aucheer Enterprise Ltd Model: LB-006 MOQ: 1,000 pieces Delivery: 30 days Description: Canvas belt; 100% cotton; worn-out design Shanghai Ouyuan Ornaments Co. Ltd Model: Sam-0756 MOQ: 2,000 pieces Delivery: 20 days Description: Webbing belt; polyester-cotton blend; zinc alloy buckle; floral print; free of nickel, lead Shanghai Ouyuan Ornaments Co. Ltd Model: Sam-0971 MOQ: 2,000 pieces Delivery: 20 days Description: Webbing belt; polyester-cotton blend; zinc alloy buckle; metal eyelets; free of nickel, lead Shanghai Ouyuan Ornaments Co. Ltd Model: Sam-0589 MOQ: 2,000 pieces Delivery: 20 days Description: Elastic belt; plastic buckle; free of nickel, lead Note: This article "New fabric belts emphasize rich texture, pattern" was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research. All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed. Disclaimer: All product images are provided by the companies interviewed and are for reference purposes only. Those product images featuring products with trademarks, brand names or logos are not intended for sale. We, our affiliates, and our affiliates' respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents or contractors, do not accept and will not have any responsibility or liability for product images (or any part thereof) which infringe on any intellectual property or other rights of a third party.