How sunglasses are made

Once the draft is completed, the designer will make sure he or she gets a first prototype. This is usually accomplished through extensive handiwork. Depending on the material, the prototype is created by milling and filing. Once the prototype is sufficiently modelled, it is 3D scanned and the next steps of the design process will be made via computer aided design (CAD) programs.

There are a variety of materials available to make sunglasses. Some frames are made of metal, others are made of plastic and some are even made from wood.

Most frames for eyewear are made from injected plastic or acetate. One major difference is the way these sunglasses are produced. Plastic sunglasses are moulded, whereas acetate frames are cut out of acetate planks. Acetate is a material made from cotton, which is dried and ground into cellulose powder which is treated with acid to create the raw material which is then pressed into acetate planks.

Some designers are determined to connect functionality and design. Our partner Chrome Hearts for instance is treating sunglasses like jewellery and puts an emphasis artful manufacturing. They say:

"Staying at the forefront of technical innovation in materials and manufacturing is critical to our ethos. Chrome Hearts is recognized in the industry for using the highest-quality materials, from wood & metal to precious stones, in our extensive product line and are committed to using the very same in the eyewear category. Like the jewellery and accessories, the eyewear is handcrafted and treated in the same manner as a piece of fine jewellery."

There are several approaches to making sunglasses. Each as unique as the resulting collection of sunglasses. The different creative approaches to making sunglasses ensure a great variety of results from which the consumer can choose.