Did You Know - Useful Ribbon Information

1. Organdy Sheers - The Different Types

Organdy and Sheers are the same ribbon. Organdy is the type of sheer fabric, usually 100% polyester or nylon. Unwired sheers come in two types:
   1) with monofilament edge - a very thin "fishline" type thread in the edge
      to help give the ribbon body
   2) with NO monofilament edge - simply a finished edge - which makes this
      ribbon very limp and flowing.

Wired Organdy Sheer has a very thin wire in the each edge to allow you to mold the ribbon into a shape and hold this shape.

2. Basic Satin Ribbons & Grosgrain Ribbon

   Single Face Soft Satin Ribbon
     100% Polyester soft satin, smooth surface, sheen on one side

   Double Face Soft Satin Ribbon
     100% Polyester soft satin, smooth surface, sheen on both sides

   Acetate Satin Ribbon
     A stiffer satin, it is perfect for pew bows, packaging and is very inexpensive.

   Floral Poly Satin Ribbon for Outdoor Use
     Made of polypropylene, these outdoor waterproof ribbon and bows are
     perfect for decorating, packaging, crafts and Floral design.

   Polyester Grosgrain Ribbon
     100% Polyester ribbon used extensively for hair bows, packaging and many
     manufacturing operations such as handles for handbags.

(All the above polyester satin and grosgrain ribbons are washable with minimum shrinkage - less than 2% - and are colorfast! The rayon/cotton blend should be hand washed.)

3. Specialty Satin Ribbon & Grosgrain Ribbons

   Swiss Double Face Satin Ribbon
      Silky Soft Bridal Satin Ribbon - 100% Polyester in widths up to 4" in many
      different COLORS to match bridal colors and for exquisite packaging.

   Feather Edge (Picot Edge) Double Face Satin Ribbon
     100% Polyester soft satin with sheen on both sides with tiny loops along each
      edge in widths of 3/16" and 3/8".

   Double Face Soft Satin Ribbon with Monofilament Edge
     100% Polyester soft satin to help "hold the bow shape". It is not wire edge
      but it gives more body to the ribbon.

   Narrow Satin Ribbons with Gold and Silver Edge
     Soft Double Face Satin Ribbon - 100% polyester in 1/8", 3/8" and 5/8" width
     in assorted colors.

   Narrow Double Face Satin Ribbon
     Soft Double Face Satin Ribbon - 100% Polyester in 1/16" and 1/8" width.

   Rainbow Satin
     Soft 100% polyester satin in a variegated look along the length of the ribbon.

   Petersham Grosgrain Ribbon
     Soft Scalloped Edge Grosgrain used for clothing and accessory manufacture.
     It is 100% Rayon.

(All the above polyester satin and grosgrain ribbons are washable with minimum shrinkage - less than 2% - and are colorfast! )

4. Sheer Gift Pouches by JKM

Have you been looking for Sheer Organdy GIFT BAGS in all the right sizes, colors and styles?

From smaller sheer pouches used for gifts to larger pouches which will gift wrap the perfect bottle of wine, JKM Ribbon & Trims has an excellent selection.

5. Ribbon for Pew Bows

What Width should I use for the Pew Bow?
How much ribbon do I need for a nice size Pew Bow?
What ribbon should I use for Pew Bows?
The answers to these questions always depend on personal preferences but here are a few guidelines based on the orders placed by our customers.

1. What Width should I use for the Pew Bow?
Most customers purchase 2 5/8" for Pew Bows followed by 1 1/2" width as the next most popular width.

2. How much ribbon do I need for a nice size Pew Bow?
Pew Bows require from 3 yards (small bows) to about 5 - 6 yards (regular size bows) to 7-8 yards if you are using a Sheer ribbon versus a solid fabric ribbon. Sheers tend to gather and look smaller while fabric ribbon bows always look larger for the same amount of ribbon because they tend to spread out more. This will depend on whether or not you are mixing sheers and fabric or adding other accents to your bow.

3. The most popular ribbons for Pew Bows are:

Acetate Satin Ribbon
This is typical floral satin (a little stiffer, almost paper feel) where you can purchase 50 yard rolls of 2 5/8" at the lowest cost of all our ribbons. Acetate Satin is not wired. You must be careful not to wrinkle the ribbon as you make the bow because it will crease and the creases will show as mishandled ribbon. If the bows are made correctly, you have a beautiful bow at very low cost in a variety of colors.

Soft Satin Ribbons - without wire edge
Single Face Satin Ribbon (shiny on one side)
Double Face Satin Ribbon (shiny on both sides)
Swiss Double Face Satin Ribbon (shiny on both sides) - high quality, silky soft ribbon

All of these ribbons will make the more floppy type bows and are more expensive per bow. Single Face or Double Face handle the same and is more of a customer preference than anything else. Customers will sometimes use these type ribbons on Bridal Bouquets and accent their pew bows with these ribbons.

Double Face Satin Ribbon with Wire Edge
This Soft Satin gives you the look but has body because of the wire edge. This ribbon is the highest cost per bow. JKM has Wired Bridal Satin Ribbon in the Satin Ribbon Section.

Sheer Ribbons - these ribbons are available with and without wire edge and with and without monofilament edge.
There is a very large selection of these ribbons on www.jkmribbon.com. Basic Organdy Ribbon with Monofilament Edge is one of the many options you can purchase. JKM can supply wired sheer ribbon, satin edge sheer ribbon, satin edge sheers with wire edge, gold or silver edge sheers and more combinations and patterns than you can imagine. This type ribbon is tied to your personal taste. You can view these type ribbons in all sections of our web site at www.jkmribbon.com.