Seam-Tape Sealing

Seam-tape sealed waterproof garments — from 200 pieces per style.

Seam-tape sealing presses waterproof tape over stitch lines so needle holes stop leaking. Specialist factories usually ask for around 1,000 pieces per style; Styleworks structures projects so that 200 pieces is a realistic starting point, handling material selection, patterning, sewing, and sealing as one project.

Discuss your waterproof project

English inquiries: replies within 2 business days (Mon–Fri, JST).

Who this page is for

Turned away over lot size

Other OEM vendors declined your small-lot or specialty-spec waterproof project.

Testing a seasonal item

You want to trial a waterproof piece in a small first run before committing to volume.

Starting from materials

You want to discuss fabric structure and tape spec together, from the planning stage.

Water-repellent vs. waterproof vs. seam-taped

Water-repellent — sheds at the surface

A finish that makes the fabric surface shed water and resist soaking. It does not stop water entering through needle holes at the seams.

Waterproof — blocked by construction

A membrane or coating stops water passing through the fabric itself. Performance is measured by hydrostatic pressure testing.

Seam tape — seals the needle holes

Waterproof tape is bonded over stitched seams with heat and pressure, closing the needle holes and completing the garment's waterproof integrity.

How seam-tape sealing works

Sew the garment
Stitching leaves needle holes along the seams
Seam tape is placed over the stitch lines
Tape is bonded with heat and pressure
Waterproof integrity is secured

Performance targets by use case

	Town use	Light outdoor	Serious outdoor	Sports
Hydrostatic head	3,000–10,000 mm	10,000–15,000 mm	20,000 mm+	10,000 mm+
Breathability	Standard	Medium	High	High
Typical use	City wear / commuting	Hiking / camping	Mountaineering / snow / long exposure	Running / cycling

Planning-stage reference values. Final specs are designed around fabric, construction, and retail price point.

Minimum lot guide by item

These are typical starting points. Final minimum lots vary with fabric inventory, processing capacity, and component availability. Share the item and target spec, and we will quote a feasible lot size for your project.

Category	Lot guide	Main variables
T-shirts / cut-and-sewn	From ~100 pieces	Fabric inventory, number of colorways
Seam-tape sealed garments	From 200 pieces	Fabric, tape spec, sewing construction
Synthetic jackets / pants	From ~200 pieces	Sub-materials, sewing line capacity
All-over print	Case-by-case (80 pieces minimum on record)	Print method, processing facility, fabric width
Down / specialty construction	Case-by-case	Sub-materials, factory line booking

Typical lead time from first consultation to delivery is 13–21 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum lot?

It depends on the project, but 200 pieces per style is a realistic consultation point. Fabric, tape spec, and garment construction all move the number, so tell us the item first.

What is the difference between water-repellent and waterproof?

Water repellency is a surface finish — it cannot stop water entering through seam needle holes. Waterproofing blocks water at the fabric construction level, and waterproof garments need seam-tape sealing to finish the job.

Can we start from material selection?

Yes. Waterproof performance has to be designed with fabric structure and tape spec as one system, so the earlier we join, the better.

Tell us the item, target lot, and timing

Specs can be undecided — many projects start from a rough idea and a price point. We will reply with a feasible lot size and an outline plan.