Shopping for your next pair of glasses or sunglasses can be surprisingly overwhelming. With so many choices, including which brand and price to style and material, the options seem almost infinite. One of the most common questions I encounter regarding eyewear is centered around the frame’s material. More specifically, I am usually asked, “What is acetate, and how does it differ from plastic?!” I’ll give you a quick answer before going into greater detail below. Cellulose acetate is a renewable plant-based (wood pulp, cotton) synthetic fiber formed into plastic-like sheets of infinite colors and patterns used to design some of the world’s most striking eyewear. Regular plastic eyewear uses petroleum-based nylon pellets, melted down and injected into steel or aluminum molds to create glasses frames.
Of course, there is much more that goes into creating these two types of eyewear. For those looking for more, I go into far greater detail of the acetate vs. plastic battle below. One thing I can say with confidence — not all glasses and sunglasses are created equal.
Featured Topics
A Quick Preview: Acetate Glasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Made from a renewable and organic material.
Easily adjusted for fit and comfort.
Lightweight and durable.
Near infinite array of colors and patterns.
Full-depth colors and designs; no paints.
Hypoallergenic
Cons
Not desired for sports and athletic activities.
Typically more expensive than its plastic counterparts.
What Exactly is Cellulose Acetate?
Cellulose acetate, also known as just acetate or Zyl, is a plant-based biopolymer (think plastic created from living organisms, specifically wood pulp and cotton) first developed all the way back in 1865 by scientist Paul Schützenberge. Regarded as one of the world’s first synthetic fibers, its key characteristics include great durability, the ability to customize fit and amazing colors. As we know it today, Acetate was developed following decades of research, eventually making its eyewear industry debut in the 1940s. Opticians and manufacturers, frustrated by their current brittle and difficult to work with plastics, soon discarded their old material in favor of this new innovative material. The introduction of cellulose acetate into the industry was ultimately responsible for bringing forth a new dawn in eyewear design.
How Is Cellulose Acetate Made?
Acetate offers many great features and characteristics that injection molding simply can’t match. The in-depth manufacturing process is responsible for many unique qualities that set acetate apart from other plastics. To start manufacturing acetate specifically for eyewear, clear acetate sheets are mixed with acetone and organic dyes to create brilliant colors and patterns. Once mixed, the dyed acetate is pressed by large rollers and cut into small pieces for further processing. It is then pressed a second time with other completed colors to produce the final raw sheets or acetate blocks used in eyewear manufacturing. Typically a CNC machine is used to cut out a rough shape before being sent off to be finished by hand. In this last step, a master artisan will hand-finish and polish the frame with various tools until they achieve the desired look.
Distinct Features of Acetate Frames
Due to the manufacturing process described above, acetate frames feature colors and patterns embedded entirely throughout the frame. This means no painting of the frame is necessary to achieve the desired look. Realistic-looking faux animal horn and wood grain acetates can also be created by further processing, expanding the eyewear designers’ pallet.
Another notable feature of acetate is the ability to combine multiple layers of the material. Combining layers of varying opacities and patterns can produce rich colors and depth. Layering acetate can either help provide attention-grabbing pop or have the opposite effect and blend the eyewear into the wearer’s facial features. All that is just a long way to say that acetate frames are almost always more revered than plastic frames. Check out the quick video below to see Mazzucchelli’s acetate manufacturing process.
Is All Acetate of the Same Quality?
Many of the top eyewear designers use high-quality acetates from Europe and Asia. More specific examples from Japan and Italy currently own the reputation for the most outstanding quality. Mazzucchelli, a premier acetate producer in Italy, has been in business since 1849 and is one of the world’s foremost cellulose acetate manufacturers. They are renowned for their expansive portfolio of colors and patterns and produce some of the most beautiful Havana tortoiseshell patterns available today. Japan, meanwhile, also holds a formidable reputation for producing high-quality acetates. More intriguing, though, is the fact that Japan is home to some of the best eyewear shapers, polishers, and master artisans in the world. The combination of either Italian or Japanese acetate paired with Japanese craftsmanship is traditionally a recipe for creating some of the finest eyewear on the market.
Elsewhere in the world, manufacturers in countries like China are slowly catching up to the high quality Italian and Japanese producers of acetate. Most manufacturers still have some catching up to do to match the quality and consistency of the Italian and Japanese products. Understanding the differing acetate qualities can be just as important as the final fit of the frame. I always recommend you pay close attention to where the frames are made before dropping a few hundred dollars on a pair of glasses.
Differences Between Acetate and Plastic Glasses
Aside from looking identical to their acetate counterparts, creating plastic eyewear is vastly different. Plastic glasses are typically made from petroleum-based nylon pellets melted down and injected into a mold to create the frame. This provides excellent cost savings and ease of production to the manufacturer. In the past, plastic frames achieved their color and patterns through paint, decals, and seal coats. This often led to paint and designs scratching off over time regardless of how good the protective coating was. Today, plastic eyewear is created from a rainbow of pellets colors, and they too achieve a solid color throughout, much like an acetate frame.
Are Acetate Frames Better Than Plastic?
Because of the reasons mentioned above, plastic injected eyewear is usually considered lower quality than acetate frames. That said, everything is relative, and there are certainly plastic frames that achieve a very high-quality fit and finish. This is especially true when compared to any cheap or poorly produced acetate frames. Below are a few reasons plastic frames don’t usually achieve the standards of their acetate counterparts.
Molded plastic is brittle compared to acetate.
They are difficult, if not impossible, to adjust.
A key component of adjustability in eyewear is the inclusion of metal wire in the temples. You won’t find these in injection-molded eyewear.
Color and especially pattern choices are much more limited. You will see many black or dark-colored frames, with the color usually coming from mirrored lenses.
Is There Any Situation Where Plastic Eyewear Outperforms Acetate?
The battle between acetate and plastic eyewear may be one-sided to this point, but there are instances where plastic frames do reign supreme. Plastic glasses are typically second to none when it comes to wearing glasses while playing sports. You can routinely find brands such as Oakley, Dragon, SPY Optics, and Electric on elite professional athletes and action sports stars. The world’s best athletes have long turned to plastic glasses and sunglasses for their ultra-lightweight and durability characteristics. These frames can usually withstand a diving catch in the outfield or a crash at the Tour de France without missing a beat.
Bold colors and lens designs also make these an excellent choice for individuals who really want to express their personalities while playing or performing. One of the more impressive plastics used in this process is called Grilamid or TR90. Grilamid is a hypoallergenic, super durable surgical quality plastic that provides extreme flexibility and lightness. This material is perfect for meeting the demands of fast-paced athletics and activities. One last thing to note about plastic eyewear specifically developed for athletics is their rubber nose pieces. The rubber provides great grip and staying power when you are sweating and is a feature you typically won’t find on any acetate frames.
What Are Other Things I Need to Consider When Buying Glasses or Sunglasses?
If you have narrowed the search for your next pair of glasses to either acetate or plastic, then it’s time to turn your attention to your lens choices.
Sunglasses Lenses
If shopping for sunglasses, then the lens options usually come down to regular non-polarized, polarized, or mirrored lenses. An easily overlooked but critical feature is the UVA and UVB protection ratings of these lenses. To ensure that you have as much protection as possible, make sure they have a UV400, which blocks nearly 100% of all UVA and UVB rays.
(You can learn more about polarized, non-polarized, and mirrored lenses here.)
Prescription Lenses
If you are in the market for new prescription glasses, you will need to make sure you have a valid eyewear prescription (usually no older than 2 years.). If not, you will need to schedule an appointment with your local eye doctor for an eye exam and check-up. I recommend a visit anyway to ensure your eyes are healthy and your prescription is correct before ordering new lenses. Be sure to ask them about lens material options like CR-39, polycarbonate, Trivex, or high-index plastic and, specifically, which would be the best for your lifestyle. After a lens is chosen, you will likely have the option to add anti-glare/reflective, anti-scratch, and UV protective coatings.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is actually quite a big difference between acetate and plastic eyewear. There are certain situations where one is better than the other, so the decision really comes down to each individual and what will work best for them. For my money, I usually prefer acetate frames for everyday life but still like to have at least one pair of plastic sunglasses for athletics. The key factor for myself is a great fit, and that’s what I get with acetate. Unsure of where to start the search for that next great pair? Start by browsing carefully curated collections of our favorite Plastic and acetate sunglasses, eyeglasses, and reading glasses from some of our favorite brands!
Tony worked for the better part of a decade in the optical industry for one of the largest independent eyewear companies in the United States. He was intimately involved with the digital, print, and product design working in concert with the development of many of the frame designs. He continues his love of eyewear through his writing and design work found right here on eyeweargenius.com!
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Acetate Glasses vs Plastic Glasses – Ultimate Guide 2021
Shopping for your next pair of glasses or sunglasses can be surprisingly overwhelming. With so many choices, including which brand and price to style and material, the options seem almost infinite. One of the most common questions I encounter regarding eyewear is centered around the frame’s material. More specifically, I am usually asked, “What is acetate, and how does it differ from plastic?!” I’ll give you a quick answer before going into greater detail below. Cellulose acetate is a renewable plant-based (wood pulp, cotton) synthetic fiber formed into plastic-like sheets of infinite colors and patterns used to design some of the world’s most striking eyewear. Regular plastic eyewear uses petroleum-based nylon pellets, melted down and injected into steel or aluminum molds to create glasses frames.
Of course, there is much more that goes into creating these two types of eyewear. For those looking for more, I go into far greater detail of the acetate vs. plastic battle below. One thing I can say with confidence — not all glasses and sunglasses are created equal.
Featured Topics
A Quick Preview: Acetate Glasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
What Exactly is Cellulose Acetate?
Cellulose acetate, also known as just acetate or Zyl, is a plant-based biopolymer (think plastic created from living organisms, specifically wood pulp and cotton) first developed all the way back in 1865 by scientist Paul Schützenberge. Regarded as one of the world’s first synthetic fibers, its key characteristics include great durability, the ability to customize fit and amazing colors. As we know it today, Acetate was developed following decades of research, eventually making its eyewear industry debut in the 1940s. Opticians and manufacturers, frustrated by their current brittle and difficult to work with plastics, soon discarded their old material in favor of this new innovative material. The introduction of cellulose acetate into the industry was ultimately responsible for bringing forth a new dawn in eyewear design.
How Is Cellulose Acetate Made?
Acetate offers many great features and characteristics that injection molding simply can’t match. The in-depth manufacturing process is responsible for many unique qualities that set acetate apart from other plastics. To start manufacturing acetate specifically for eyewear, clear acetate sheets are mixed with acetone and organic dyes to create brilliant colors and patterns. Once mixed, the dyed acetate is pressed by large rollers and cut into small pieces for further processing. It is then pressed a second time with other completed colors to produce the final raw sheets or acetate blocks used in eyewear manufacturing. Typically a CNC machine is used to cut out a rough shape before being sent off to be finished by hand. In this last step, a master artisan will hand-finish and polish the frame with various tools until they achieve the desired look.
Distinct Features of Acetate Frames
Due to the manufacturing process described above, acetate frames feature colors and patterns embedded entirely throughout the frame. This means no painting of the frame is necessary to achieve the desired look. Realistic-looking faux animal horn and wood grain acetates can also be created by further processing, expanding the eyewear designers’ pallet.
Another notable feature of acetate is the ability to combine multiple layers of the material. Combining layers of varying opacities and patterns can produce rich colors and depth. Layering acetate can either help provide attention-grabbing pop or have the opposite effect and blend the eyewear into the wearer’s facial features. All that is just a long way to say that acetate frames are almost always more revered than plastic frames. Check out the quick video below to see Mazzucchelli’s acetate manufacturing process.
Is All Acetate of the Same Quality?
Many of the top eyewear designers use high-quality acetates from Europe and Asia. More specific examples from Japan and Italy currently own the reputation for the most outstanding quality. Mazzucchelli, a premier acetate producer in Italy, has been in business since 1849 and is one of the world’s foremost cellulose acetate manufacturers. They are renowned for their expansive portfolio of colors and patterns and produce some of the most beautiful Havana tortoiseshell patterns available today. Japan, meanwhile, also holds a formidable reputation for producing high-quality acetates. More intriguing, though, is the fact that Japan is home to some of the best eyewear shapers, polishers, and master artisans in the world. The combination of either Italian or Japanese acetate paired with Japanese craftsmanship is traditionally a recipe for creating some of the finest eyewear on the market.
Elsewhere in the world, manufacturers in countries like China are slowly catching up to the high quality Italian and Japanese producers of acetate. Most manufacturers still have some catching up to do to match the quality and consistency of the Italian and Japanese products. Understanding the differing acetate qualities can be just as important as the final fit of the frame. I always recommend you pay close attention to where the frames are made before dropping a few hundred dollars on a pair of glasses.
Differences Between Acetate and Plastic Glasses
Aside from looking identical to their acetate counterparts, creating plastic eyewear is vastly different. Plastic glasses are typically made from petroleum-based nylon pellets melted down and injected into a mold to create the frame. This provides excellent cost savings and ease of production to the manufacturer. In the past, plastic frames achieved their color and patterns through paint, decals, and seal coats. This often led to paint and designs scratching off over time regardless of how good the protective coating was. Today, plastic eyewear is created from a rainbow of pellets colors, and they too achieve a solid color throughout, much like an acetate frame.
Are Acetate Frames Better Than Plastic?
Because of the reasons mentioned above, plastic injected eyewear is usually considered lower quality than acetate frames. That said, everything is relative, and there are certainly plastic frames that achieve a very high-quality fit and finish. This is especially true when compared to any cheap or poorly produced acetate frames. Below are a few reasons plastic frames don’t usually achieve the standards of their acetate counterparts.
Is There Any Situation Where Plastic Eyewear Outperforms Acetate?
The battle between acetate and plastic eyewear may be one-sided to this point, but there are instances where plastic frames do reign supreme. Plastic glasses are typically second to none when it comes to wearing glasses while playing sports. You can routinely find brands such as Oakley, Dragon, SPY Optics, and Electric on elite professional athletes and action sports stars. The world’s best athletes have long turned to plastic glasses and sunglasses for their ultra-lightweight and durability characteristics. These frames can usually withstand a diving catch in the outfield or a crash at the Tour de France without missing a beat.
Bold colors and lens designs also make these an excellent choice for individuals who really want to express their personalities while playing or performing. One of the more impressive plastics used in this process is called Grilamid or TR90. Grilamid is a hypoallergenic, super durable surgical quality plastic that provides extreme flexibility and lightness. This material is perfect for meeting the demands of fast-paced athletics and activities. One last thing to note about plastic eyewear specifically developed for athletics is their rubber nose pieces. The rubber provides great grip and staying power when you are sweating and is a feature you typically won’t find on any acetate frames.
What Are Other Things I Need to Consider When Buying Glasses or Sunglasses?
If you have narrowed the search for your next pair of glasses to either acetate or plastic, then it’s time to turn your attention to your lens choices.
Sunglasses Lenses
If shopping for sunglasses, then the lens options usually come down to regular non-polarized, polarized, or mirrored lenses. An easily overlooked but critical feature is the UVA and UVB protection ratings of these lenses. To ensure that you have as much protection as possible, make sure they have a UV400, which blocks nearly 100% of all UVA and UVB rays.
(You can learn more about polarized, non-polarized, and mirrored lenses here.)
Prescription Lenses
If you are in the market for new prescription glasses, you will need to make sure you have a valid eyewear prescription (usually no older than 2 years.). If not, you will need to schedule an appointment with your local eye doctor for an eye exam and check-up. I recommend a visit anyway to ensure your eyes are healthy and your prescription is correct before ordering new lenses. Be sure to ask them about lens material options like CR-39, polycarbonate, Trivex, or high-index plastic and, specifically, which would be the best for your lifestyle. After a lens is chosen, you will likely have the option to add anti-glare/reflective, anti-scratch, and UV protective coatings.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is actually quite a big difference between acetate and plastic eyewear. There are certain situations where one is better than the other, so the decision really comes down to each individual and what will work best for them. For my money, I usually prefer acetate frames for everyday life but still like to have at least one pair of plastic sunglasses for athletics. The key factor for myself is a great fit, and that’s what I get with acetate. Unsure of where to start the search for that next great pair? Start by browsing carefully curated collections of our favorite Plastic and acetate sunglasses, eyeglasses, and reading glasses from some of our favorite brands!
Tony worked for the better part of a decade in the optical industry for one of the largest independent eyewear companies in the United States. He was intimately involved with the digital, print, and product design working in concert with the development of many of the frame designs. He continues his love of eyewear through his writing and design work found right here on eyeweargenius.com!
4 replies to “Acetate Glasses vs Plastic Glasses – Ultimate Guide 2021”
Bensjamin
Thanks for the info. man. Appreciate it.
Tony Parrish
Glad you found it useful! We’ll be adding a lot more new stuff soon!
Blarty McBlath
“This is hand-made in Italy, at its best.” Well not entirely hand-made. Maybe 15%. See all those machines? LOL
Tony Parrish
Good point, making eyewear by hand is incredibly laborious but I believe a lot of prototypes are very much handmade. Thank you for your comment!
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