Choosing the Right Sunglass Frame Material for Your Brand

As a brand owner or influencer planning to launch sunglasses as premium merch, you already accept that quality is the baseline. The real differentiator is material selection—it shapes durability, comfort, sustainability, price, and how your audience perceives your brand. This guide compares key materials, their pros/cons, manufacturing notes, and when each best fits your positioning.

*Frame shell cost only, excludes lenses, logistics, duty.

Materials at a Glance

PC (Polycarbonate)

What it is: An impact-resistant engineering plastic widely used for fashion sunglasses. Supports crisp edges, complex molds, and vibrant solid/transparent colors.

Strengths: budget-friendly bill of materials; tough vs. drops; light on face; fast cycle times for large runs. With first-grade PC pellets and proper barrel temps, surface finish rivals pricier plastics.

Limitations: tactile feel is less “buttery” than acetate; can feel mass-market if finishing is poor; scratch resistance depends on coating and polish.

Manufacturing notes: injection molded; gates & flow lines must be managed; multi-stage tumbling + hand polish lifts perceived quality. Compatible with UV-curable paints, rubberized finishes, and gradient tints.

Best for: Trend-driven youth lines, seasonal drops, influencer collabs that need bold shapes at scale.

TR90

What it is: A Swiss-developed thermoplastic famed for elasticity and fatigue resistance. Snaps back without deforming—great for sports.

Strengths: featherweight comfort; bendable temples; high chemical & UV resistance; excellent for wrap frames, shields, and fishing/cycling silhouettes.

Limitations: less “couture” sheen; matte, functional look unless overmolded or painted; color depth limited vs. acetate.

Manufacturing notes: injection; often paired with rubber nose pads; consider anti-slip textures; floating lenses and interchangeable shields are common design wins.

Best for: Outdoor/sport brands, camping & exploration aesthetics, performance retail.

Acetate

What it is: Cellulose acetate from cotton/wood fibers. The luxury standard: warm to the touch, rich color lamination, and deep gloss once polished.

Strengths: premium hand-feel; hypoallergenic; infinite colorways (tortoiseshells, multi-lams, gradients); allows adjustable fit via gentle heat.

Limitations: heavier than PC/TR; may warp in high heat/humidity if stored poorly; higher material & labor costs.

Manufacturing notes: typically CNC cut from acetate sheets or blocks; multi-pass tumbling + hand-buffing; stainless or titanium cores inside temples for stability; hinges (3–7 barrels) define longevity feel.

Best for: High-fashion lines, jewelry/apparel brands, premium retail where perceived value matters most.

Metal (Stainless, Monel, Titanium)

What it is: From stainless/monel for value to titanium for ultralight luxury. Enables thin profiles, minimalist rims, and wire aesthetics (e.g., aviators).

Strengths: slim & timeless; adjustable nose pads; high stiffness-to-weight; titanium is corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic.

Limitations: may heat/cool with weather; thin wires can bend under heavy force; plating quality determines longevity (sweat/salt exposure).

Manufacturing notes: soldering or laser welding, precise jig control; PVD or IP plating for durability; spring hinges recommended for everyday comfort; lens retention tolerances are critical.

Best for: Premium, minimalist, optical-inspired brands; classic icon frames; ultralight performance lines (titanium).

TPEE & Silicone

What it is: Thermoplastic elastomer (polyester-based) and medical-grade silicone. Safe, flexible, soft-touch—perfect for kids.

Strengths: non-toxic, hypoallergenic; twist without breaking; great shock absorption; comfortable clamp force for small faces.

Limitations: visual luxury is limited; surface can attract dust without proper finishing; adult fashion use is niche.

Manufacturing notes: overmolding with TR or PC for hybrid grips; integral safety hinges; high-elastic nose bridge designs reduce pressure points.

Best for: Mother–baby brands, schools, swim/beach lines, family-friendly retailers.

Hybrid: Metal–Plastic Combos

What it is: Metal rims with acetate rings, PC fronts with metal temples, or TR fronts with titanium cores—combining aesthetics and performance.

Strengths: best-of-both-worlds styling; weight tuning; premium look without full titanium cost.

Limitations: assembly complexity; more QC touchpoints (adhesion, galvanic corrosion isolation, color matching).

Manufacturing notes: ensure material compatibility; isolate metals from moisture ingress; color/finish harmonization is key.

Eco & Specialty (Recycled, Bio, Wood/Bamboo)

What it is: rPC/rTR from post-consumer streams, bio-acetate (plasticizer from biomass), FSC wood/bamboo, and horn-like cast composites for niche luxury.

Strengths: powerful sustainability message; unique textures; growing consumer demand; supports ESG reporting.

Limitations: higher unit cost; color consistency & moisture stability must be engineered; wood needs sealing and reinforcement for hinges.

Manufacturing notes: traceability docs (PCR %), lifecycle claims vetting; for wood, metal core & sealed finishes; for bio-acetate, similar processing to acetate with greener inputs.

Best for: Eco-first brands, outdoor lifestyle labels, and limited artisan runs with story value.

Quick Comparison

Prices are indicative for frame shells and vary by volume, finish, and hardware.

Which Material Fits Your Brand?

FAQs from Brand Owners

How do I keep acetate from warping?

Store away from heat/sun; avoid hot car dashboards. Use tempered display lighting. Educate customers on care, and use quality core wires and hinges.

Can PC feel premium?

Yes—spec first-grade pellets, multi-pass tumbling, hand-buffing, and superior coatings. Hardware (hinge quality) changes perception dramatically.

Is titanium worth the cost?

For ultra-light comfort, longevity, and allergy resistance—yes. It lifts price ceiling and NPS for premium lines.

1:1 Material Selection Help

Want us to evaluate your brand positioning and recommend a material–finish–hardware stack with target landed cost?