Adhesive Vs. Snap
Overview
Wristbands when used for a security purpose, such as ID that shows you have paid for entry or entitlements, generally have a closure which is designed not to be removed. Wristbands that can be stretched or have a resnapable clip do not have a security rating as they can be transferred from person to person. Silicone & Woven wristbands would fall into this category.
As a general rule wristbands that are non stretch & non transferrable come in two main styles Plastic wristbands & tyvek wristbands. While Digital wristbands are increasing in popularity, they are new to the market & are yet to develop the following of tyvek wristbands. Once again Plastic wristbands & tyvek wristbands almost always have the following secure closures.
"Plastic wristbands have a plastic snap while tyvek wristbands have an adhesive closure."
Which is better?
Often that may be determined by how the wristband is used. Where alcohol is involved for events requiring proof of age, some Police commands require that promoters supply wristbands with a plastic snap as they believe the wristbands to be stronger & more tamperproof than tyvek wristbands carrying the same imprint. Other events involving the Horse Racing industry use tyvek wristbands for exactly the same purpose. Which is better? for that we may look at the wristbands from an historical perspective.
Plastic wristbands were first to market & many market perceptions were formed in the past. Hospitals traditionally use plastic ID bands all with plastic snap closures, now while this may have an historical basis, tyvek wristbands have been around for about 20 years, yet their impact in Hospitals has been relatively minor, despite a cost per piece advantage over plastic ID bands.
Adhesives on the tyvek wristbands were viewed as suspicious. Why? Infection control was an area that preferred the standard plastic wristband, adhesives could trap germs couldn't they? Latex a component in many adhesives caused skin reactions, long term patients with tyvek wristbands had problems with tyvek ID bands staying on in water during rehab therapy. Those production issues have been addressed by major manufacturers, but perceptions remain especially in the Hospital industry where the average age of Nurses is close to 50 & some may have experienced the initial introduction of the tyvek wristbands.
The entertainment area has been faster to adapt to tyvek wristbands, price playing a major role as they sought to find a secure solution at a lower price than that of the plastic wristbands.
The real argument as to which wristband style is more secure, often comes down to an outside factor, which is; How good is your security company? Have you created an environment where unscrupulous patrons can take advantage of your system? Both plastic & tyvek wristbands will do the job of providing a standard secure solution, but you may need more.
Need more security?
You may require a good security company backed by a access & crowd control solution such as the Wizid Guideposts. These use Digital Wristbands with an adhesive closure which is extremely tough as the glue on the wristband adhers to a laminated sheet covering, making it virtually tamperproof. Another consideration with any adhesive wristband is the width. They come in two sizes 19mm & 25mm.
While all styles have a tamperevident area, which is diecut so that it will split & break up if someone tries to remove the wristband, a wider wristband will always provide a higher level of security where adhesive is concerned.
If in doubt contact a supplier & tell them how you intend to use the wristband & they can suggest a wristband suitable for your requirements. Don't be fooled & just buy the cheapest wristband solution, while it may be just right for your event, it doesn't hurt to check & confirm that you have made a suitable selection.