How Sunglasses Are Made?

It’s important to note that sunglasses are made with different types of materials and different styles for sunglasses frames and lenses each with its pros and cons. If you’re thinking of investing in a solid pair, you’ll want to make sure you understand how to choose the right pair of sunglasses that fit you.

Making Sunglasses Is Serious Business

The making of sunglasses is a matter that must be seriously handled. People's eyes vary in size, color, and the degree to which the eye is exposed.

So in order to make them fit their face, a sophisticated process is often needed in the eyes of the glasses to fit in the face. As a result, in a single pair of glasses in a factory, a hundred workers can process from 400 to 500 pairs of stylish glasses.

When people think of sunglasses, they think of the fashion industry, the branding, the marketing, and the celebrities. Just a few think about eye protection and how sunglasses are made.

We are here to show you the most important things you have to think about when you are looking for sunglasses.

Sunglasses are made of many components, like sunglass frames, lens material, etc. So it's important to understand how to choose ones that are made well. Before looking at any other factors, it's first important to determine the level of UV protection you need.

The best sunglasses should block 99-100% of UV rays. That means you'll be able to see the same colors as before, but with much less damage to your eyes. The manufacturing process can differ depending on the lens material, color, and what technology is used for lenses.

If you want to know how sunglasses are made, you’ve come to the right place, stay with us. 

Sunglasses Manufacturing Process

For many people, wearing sunglasses is vital to protect their eyes from anything harmful. Sunglasses come in many types, shapes, and forms. Some people may wear prescription sunglasses, while others may wear polarized sunglasses. Sunglass frames are usually made of plastic material, which are a man-made material, but there are also sunglasses with metal frames.

The design process starts with a sketch on paper. Making a sketch is a good way to come up with ideas without relying on expensive software. Next, you can create a prototype by using a 3D printer or a laser cutter to carve a model from a block of plastic or wood. You can also use a computer to create a prototype by modeling the object on the monitor and then printing it out. 

Materials Used For Manufacturing Of Sunglasses

Manufacturers use a wide variety of materials to manufacture sunglasses. The materials used for manufacturing sunglass frames vary depending on the type of sunglasses. For example, sunglasses for driving or winter sports are made of durable plastic or metal frames, while fashion sunglasses are made of less durable plastic or fabric frames. 

The Most Common Materials

The most common frame materials include plastic frames, metal frames, and thermoplastic threads. However, each manufacturer will utilize varying materials to produce various styles of sunglasses.

Some manufacturers will use acetate frames, which is a type of plastic, to make their sunglasses. Acetate is lightweight and flexible, which makes it appealing for manufacturers. Acetate is also relatively inexpensive to produce. 

Other popular materials are metals like aluminum, copper, and steel for sunglasses frames. These metals can be either cast or formed into various shapes. These types of glasses are typically heavier than other types of sunglasses. 

Lens And Tints

A lens tint protects against UV rays, glare, and bright light. There are so many options available when it comes to lens tints for sunglasses, but you need to do your research before making a purchase.

The tint of the lens will determine the amount of exposure you will have to UV rays and bright light. Clear lenses, which are extremely popular in the sports industry, are made with 100 percent polycarbonate to offer the wearer protection against UV rays.

 

The lens is shaped into a frame with a tool that is known as a lens-grinder, this is done with molten lens material. They are then inspected for any scratches or other imperfections, and if they are okay, they're ready to be put into their frames.

Today, people can choose between many types of popular materials for eyeglass lenses: polarized lenses, plastic lenses, light filtering lenses, gray lenses, glass lenses, etc. 

Heat Sensitivity And UV Protection

UV sunglasses are hands down the single coolest option for eye protection. Besides protecting your eyes, they have a pretty high cool factor. Not only will you look good, but your eyes will be protected from the harmful UV rays and heat.

While many think that sunglasses have to have UV protection built-in, in reality, most protective sunglasses come with an additional layer of film (called the anti-reflective layer) which is said to protect against harmful rays. As is true with most layers of film, this film does tend to decrease the level of heat that reaches the eyes.

The amount of UV light passing through a particular lens is directly proportional to the darkness of the lens. In other words, a dark lens passes more UV light than a lighter one. Generally speaking, the lighter the lens, the less protection it provides from UV rays. 

Conclusion

There are two important requirements manufacturers have to meet: attractive design and UV protection. The design process starts with a sketch on paper. After the sketch is made, you can either use a 3D printer or laser cutter to create a prototype or model it on a computer.

Manufacturers use a variety of materials to produce stylish glasses. The most common materials for eyewear frames are plastics, metals, and thermoplastic threads. Materials like acetate, aluminum, steel, and copper are also popular with manufacturers. The lens tint on sunglasses can range from clear to dark, depending on your preference. Darker lenses, the more protection for your eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Purpose Of Sunglasses?

Sunglasses are created to block ultraviolet light, minimize the amount of glare that enters your eyes. 

Aside from protecting your eyes, it can also compensate for some color deficiencies like red or green, enhance contrast, and make your eyesight appear sharper for certain colors.

How Designer Sunglasses Are Made?

The designer sunglasses are made in a similar way to the production of the sports sunglasses.

A base is made for the designer sunglasses, which is pre-lined on its interior side with soft foam.

An injection system is then used to inject glass into the base made of transparent polycarbonate plastic.

What Materials Are Sunglasses Made From?

Sunglasses are made from various different materials, with some materials being more popular than others, such as the following:

 

Plastic - Plastic is the most commonly used lens material in sunglasses on the market.

Plastic is an economical choice and the lenses are easily produced and thus available in a wide range of colors.

Metal - Metal is not commonly found in sunglasses, but it is sometimes used and is particularly popular among military and sport sunglasses, particularly in more elite and upscale branches. Metal is of course an excellent material, and sunglasses of this sort tend to be very durable and scratch-resistant.

Polymer Composites - Polymer composite lens materials are generally less expensive than the other materials on the market.

How Plastic Sunglasses Are Made

Plastic sunglasses are made by injection molding. The majority of plastic products we use in our daily life are based on injection molding. Plastic material is melted and forced into a mold cavity (the plastic injection mold). It has a high degree of surface accuracy and excellent surface quality, and precision and dimensional accuracy. The same part can be used repeatedly. It is easy to operate and saves labor and energy.

Where Do They Make Sunglasses?

Sunglasses can be manufactured in their entirety by hand, but they are sometimes made by machines, such as lenses feeding into a machine that then pours the plastic into molds that form their shape. The main producers of sunglasses are the United States, Italy, and China. 

Why Are Sunglasses So Expensive?

The answer is simple: high costs. Nowadays it`s actually hard to find one pair of good sunglasses at a good price. There are many factors that play a major role in the cost, and they can be broken down into quality and popularity.Read more on why sunglasses cost so much here.

Is It Bad To Never Wear Sunglasses?

Not wearing sunglasses might not be necessarily bad. But, it can cause some damage to our eyes. Not wearing sunglasses is harmful to our eyes in some situations. Generally, the sun’s rays are always harmful to our eyes. The glasses, which are dark in shade, decrease the intensity of the sun’s rays. So, this saves us from damaging our eyes.

Are Sunglasses Attractive?

Sunglasses are synonymous with power, beauty, and mystery. They say, "I don’t need you to see me, I’m just here to look cool." Sunglasses are so much more than eye safety equipment, they are accessories that convey mood, style, and personality. They indicate how serious you are, what you’re trying to hide behind them, how you want to be perceived, and what’s important to you. Just as the kind of jewelry you wear conveys your personality, Just as bling accessories like studs and Cuban chains from VVS Jewelry, conveys a Hip-Hop lifestyle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.