The eyewear manufacturing process from design to finishing

11 Aug.,2025

 

The eyewear manufacturing process from design to finishing

The eyewear manufacturing process from design to finishing

25-04-29 19:19:11    By Bestsea eyewear

SCM GROUP LIMITED COMPANY Product Page

The glasses manufacturing process from design to finishing

1. Glasses conception is to determine the design direction and ensure that the product meets market demand. The picture below is a conception of glasses design. It is a square, men's, luxurious, acetate sunglasses. Global trend research. Analyze the popular trends of international eyewear exhibitions such as Milan MIDO and Paris Silmo, and predict the design trends in the next 1-3 years. 1.1  Consumer preference analysis. Study user preferences through big data such as social media, e-commerce platforms, Google Trends, etc., such as retro style, minimalism or technological design. 1.2 For different markets, through Google, e-commerce and other platforms, study the market's hot-selling styles, colors, styles, etc., and seek design inspiration. By studying the hot-selling models of different eyewear brands, find differentiation and then find design points. 2. Glasses design. The design phase is a crucial step to achieve results that reflect the style and iconic elements of a brand. Throughout the process, our designers must work closely with the client's creative team. After developing multiple ideas and proposals, we both reach a consensus on one design that best expresses manufacturing excellence, and complete the final design prototype with our innate ability to judge fashion trends and evolution. Glasses conception is an abstract concept, and design is to transform abstract concepts into visual expressions. Collect colors, materials, cultural elements such as architecture, other products, natural textures, etc. to form the design tone. Then, through hand-drawn sketches or computer drawings, the abstract concept is expressed in the form of a visual design diagram. Generally speaking, the design elements of glasses generally include the following aspects: 2.1 Frame shape, mainly square, round, rectangular, oblong, oval, cat's eye, pilot shape, heart shape, butterfly shape, geometric shape, geometric shape, etc. 2.2 Material matching, the material matching of glasses directly affects the wearing comfort, durability, weight and style performance. Usually, the frames and lenses of glasses are made of different materials. Common glasses materials are acetate, metal, titanium, plastic and some natural materials such as bamboo, wood, horn, etc. 2.3 Color matching. Color matching should be carried out according to the target consumer group. There are many colors that can be used, such as black, gold, rose gold, silver, gray, transparent, translucent, tortoise shell, red, blue, green, off-white, light pink, and various pattern colors. Design concept: The design of this pair of women's cat-eye sunglasses is inspired by a deep exploration of fashion and personality, aiming to create an accessory that is both classic and modern. The frame uses a multi-color patchwork process, and the dark purple and pink are combined in a unique shape, like an artistic brushstroke, which is delicately embellished at the top. The concave and convex effect is created through fine carving, and the clever use of the beveled edge contour makes the overall shape present a layered three-dimensional sense, as if it jumps out of the plane, with great visual impact. The temple part continues the patchwork design, and at the same time incorporates a concave and convex texture, which echoes the frame, like a harmonious movement, enhancing the overall visual coherence. This design not only shows the classic elegance of cat-eye glasses, but also incorporates modern fashion elements into it. Every detail has been carefully considered. Whether it is worn daily or attending fashion events, it can make the wearer exude unique charm and become the focus of everyone's attention. The picture below is from BESTSEA's latest luxury acetate sunglasses design. Design concept: The design of this pair of sunglasses is inspired by the cross-border integration of modern architectural aesthetics and high-end fashion. With "three-dimensional sculptural sense" as the core language, the visual tension of optical accessories is reshaped through precise structural deconstruction. The frame is made of two-color materials. The collision of black and transparent acetate fiber forms a staggered layer of light and dark. The inner beveled surface that runs through the top of the temple extends to the temple joint at an acute angle of 15 degrees, strengthening the three-dimensional outline like the suspended structure of deconstructionist architecture. The hyperbolic material process of the temple is not only ergonomic, but also the transparent material with gradual thickness treatment forms a material dialogue with matte black. It is equipped with a decorative art style patterned gold copper needle, and its spiral pattern is inspired by the metal relief process in the decorative art movement in the s. The two gold-plated rivets located at the hinge of the frame are not only functional reinforcements, but also echo the futuristic tone of the overall design in the form of geometric dots. The whole work interprets the modern and luxurious wearing art in a combination of rigidity and softness through the trio of material hedging, angle cutting and precious metal inlay. 3. Prototyping of glasses. At this stage, our craftsmen put in a high level of energy, processing and attention to detail in the most precise way. After making the first model, which is technically called a "sketch", the real prototyping stage begins. For each product, the prototype development team will produce a physical object. The result of this process is the first frame in a series. The production of glasses samples is a bridge between design and production, and it is necessary to balance creativity and process feasibility. When making samples, 3D printing technology and traditional manual glasses production processes can be used. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. 3D printing is fast, but the surface is relatively rough and the color is very single. The advantage of traditional glasses production is that it can produce samples with complex structures and diverse colors. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time and grows high; before mass production, it is necessary to strictly test the structural stability and wearing comfort. 4. Glasses materials and colors. The materials used in each product series are different, all based on customer requirements, the specific needs of a particular design, and the adaptability of the material itself to the processes required to make different frames. Our designers will work together to study plastics, precious metals, and bio-based materials, interpreting current trends through color and color matching, and predicting future aesthetic appearances. With the continuous development of material technology and processes, the materials and colors of glasses are becoming more diverse. Common glasses materials include acetate, metal, titanium, plastic, and some natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and horns. The most suitable materials and colors should be selected according to different designs, structures, and cost requirements. For material colors, please refer to our website: Acetate color: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/cellulose-acetate-material/ Sunglass lens color: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/Sunlens/ Metal color process: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/metal-plating-color/ 5. Glasses production. The production of each pair of glasses requires at least more than a hundred different processes, which are carried out by skilled craftsmen in different production lines. Together with technicians, they strictly follow each step to ensure that every detail is transformed into a unique element of the glasses produced. Each department of our glasses factory is equipped with important technical equipment, such as high-precision automatic and semi-automatic machines and processing devices for milling front frames, lenses and components. To ensure the quality of the entire process and the final product, each step of the production process is strictly controlled. Production of frames. Metal frames are formed by CNC cutting and laser welding; plastic frames are high-temperature finalized after injection molding, and springs are added to the hinges to enhance durability. Sheet glasses go through CNC cutting, rollers, hinges, polishing, assembly and other processes. Finally, each pair can be shipped after a detailed inspection. For more details about eyewear production, please refer to our related articles: Production process of acetate glasses: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/product-knowledge/2.html Production process of metal glasses: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/product-knowledge/metal-eyewear-production.html 6. Adjustment and quality control. Before the end of the entire processing process, the glasses will enter the adjustment stage. All components of optical glasses and sunglass frames, from finishes to lenses, are checked piece by piece to ensure their basic characteristics, among which fit is one of the most critical performances. Adjustment mainly includes the following aspects. Frame adjustment: Manually calibrate the opening and closing of the temples and the height of the nose pads to ensure a stable and comfortable fit. Lens positioning: Check the alignment of the optical center and the pupil to avoid visual distortion. Comprehensive quality inspection includes the following aspects. Frame: Check the flexibility of the hinges and the surface process (no scratches/paint peeling). Lens: The focal meter verifies the degree, astigmatism accuracy, and the coating is flawless. Fit: Simulate wearing test to ensure that the frame fits the face shape and does not slip. For more details on adjustment and quality control, please refer to our related articles: How to adjust your glasses: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/product-knowledge/adjust-eyewear.html How to inspect our glasses: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/industry-news/eyewear-quality.html How to inspect the quality of sun lenses: https://www.bestseaeyewear.com/industry-news/sunlens-quality.html 7. Packaging of glasses. Finally, each pair of glasses will be packed in the brand's specific packaging to prepare for shipment. Glasses packaging not only protects the product from damage during transportation, but also the first impression of the brand image. Good packaging can prevent dust and scratches, prevent deformation of the frame, and at the same time improve the unboxing experience and strengthen consumers' trust in quality. High-end packaging also comes with accessories such as cleaning cloth and warranty card to increase added value. 8. Shipping of glasses. After all the goods are prepared, they are sent to the customer's designated delivery address. The above links are the entire glasses manufacturing process from design to finishing. The conception of glasses, turning abstract ideas into visual designs, making samples of design deformation objects, and then to production and processing, comprehensive adjustment and quality inspection, packaging and shipment.

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How to Make Eco Eyewear - A Guide for Manufacturers

Along with many other industries, eyewear companies worldwide are embracing a greener approach to manufacturing. The business models of some of the top eyewear companies, like Neubau Eyewear and Eco Eyewear, are focused on sustainability to project an eco-conscious brand image to the public. Sustainability in the eyewear industry is a big topic and should be part of your long-term plans as an eyewear manufacturer.

Why Eco-Friendly Glasses?

The traditional eyewear industry is not only about acetate frames but also about metals and injection frames. From an environmental perspective, the production process of metal materials requires electroplating and color spraying processes, which pose a risk of environmental pollution, some kinds of injection frames also need color spraying. Traditional injection materials cannot be degraded, which is also a major factor in environmental pollution

Eco-friendly materials refer to materials that indirectly reduce the consumption of natural resources and damage to the environment from the source, directly reduce the energy consumption of waste and waste treatment at the end of the product, and greatly expand the ways and fields of utilizing waste materials, recycled materials, and other materials. Some materials that were originally not effectively utilised are included in the reuse category, minimizing their negative environmental impact.


4 Common Categories of Materials Used to Produce Eco-Friendly Glasses

Recycled Material

  1. Recycled Plastics

    Recycled plastics form the cornerstone of eco-friendly eyewear, representing a significant shift towards sustainability in the eyewear industry. This process transforms used plastics into new eyeglass frames through collecting, sorting by resin identification code (RID), shredding, washing, melting, and pelletising. These pellets then serve as the raw material for the production of eyewear, showcasing a circular approach to manufacturing.
    Benefits of Using Recycled Plastics in Eyewear
    - Turns waste into new products, reducing the overall environmental footprint.
    - Supports a circular economy by repurposing used materials.
    Drawbacks of Using Recycled Plastics in Eyewear
    - Recycled materials may not always achieve the same strength and longevity as new plastics, affecting durability.
    - The recycling process is complex and costly, potentially making recycled plastic glasses more expensive and less accessible to a wider audience.

    Despite the disadvantages, the environmental benefits of using recycled plastics for glasses continue to drive innovation and demand in the eco-eyewear sector.

  2. Recyecled Metals

    Metal frame glasses provide a sustainable and durable alternative within the eco-friendly eyewear market. These frames are crafted from special alloys, including stainless steel, titanium, nickel silver, aluminium, and Monel, offering robust options to plastic counterparts. The production process involves selecting and preparing various components like eye wire, bridge metal, end piece, and other accessories, which are then shaped through techniques such as bending, cutting, and welding to create the final frame.

    Benefits of Using Metal in Eyewear

    - Metal frames are known for their strength, offering a long-lasting option for consumers.
    - Compared to traditional plastic frames, metal frames can be more sustainable due to the potential for recycling and less environmental impact in certain stages of their lifecycle.

    Drawbacks of Using Metal in Eyewear
    - The extraction and processing of metals, especially titanium, can have significant environmental impacts. The production process can generate harmful by-products, such as sulfuric acid waste and chlorine gas, which pose risks to water and air quality.

Natural Materials

  1. Bamboo

    Among the materials utilized in eco-friendly eyewear production, bamboo is one of the most sustainable option for crafting wooden glasses. Known as one of the fastest-growing plants, bamboo can shoot up to 2 feet per day, presenting a highly renewable resource for eyewear manufacturing. Its rapid growth and quick replenishment rate position bamboo as an ideal material.
    Benefits of Using Bamboo in Eyewear
    - The fast growth rate of bamboo ensures a continual, sustainable supply of material for eyewear production.
    - Bamboo frames are known for being lightweight and comfortable, offering an enhanced user experience without sacrificing style or durability.

    Drawbacks of Using Metal in Eyewear
    - Crafting bamboo eyewear can be more time-consuming, with certain stages requiring handcrafting, which may increase production costs.
    - The intricate manufacturing process of bamboo frames can result in higher costs, potentially affecting the final product's price and accessibility.

Bio-based Materials

Bio-based plastics are derived from renewable sources such as plant oils, starch, and other organic materials. They are increasingly used in the production of eyewear frames as they reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

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Benefits of Using Bio-based Materials:

          - Reduces carbon footprint and dependency on non-renewable resources.
          - Often compostable or recyclable, contributing further to environmental sustainability.

Drawbacks of Using Bio-based Materials:

          - Can be more expensive due to the cost of raw materials and production processes.
          - Availability might be limited compared to traditional materials.

Biodegradable Materials

Biodegradable materials in eyewear refer to substances that can decompose naturally by biological means. Some plastics and bio-based materials designed to break down in specific environments are examples.

Benefits of Using Biodegradable Materials:

          - Helps reduce long-term waste in landfills.
          - Minimizes the environmental impact post-consumer use.

Drawbacks of Using Biodegradable Materials:

      - Requires specific conditions to decompose, which may not be available in all regions.
      - Durability may be less than non-biodegradable counterparts.

How You Should Choose What Material to Make Eco Eyewear With

As an eco-eyewear manufacturer, you should consider the material's sustainability. Materials like bamboo, which grows rapidly and is highly renewable, have a minimal environmental footprint, making them ideal for eco-eyewear. Recycled plastics reduce waste and the need for new plastic production, whereas metals offer durability and recyclability. It's essential to assess each material's ecological benefits against its production and lifecycle impacts, aiming for those that best mitigate environmental harm.

Additionally, align your material choice with consumer preferences. Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious and seek products that reflect their values. Materials that offer eco-friendliness, aesthetic appeal, comfort, and durability will meet market demands and resonate with eco-aware customers.

PEL’s One-Stop Service for Carbon Neutrality of Eyewear

PEL has been deeply embedded in eyewear testing and inspection, gaining a nuanced understanding of the industry’s supply chain intricacies. Our focus extends to aiding eyewear companies in navigating their path to carbon neutrality. A detailed assessment and verification of the carbon footprint associated with eyewear products or broader corporate activities. This involves:

The company is the world’s best acetate glasses frames supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

  • Calculating carbon emissions
  • Advising on reduction strategies
  • Exploring viable offsetting opportunities
  • Providing sustainability consultancy