Why Material Matters: Choosing Between Acetate, Metal, and TR90 for Your Eyewear Frames

When launching a new eyewear collection or expanding your current product line, frame material is a fundamental decision that shapes your brand's style, durability, and price point. Whether you're a fashion-forward label or a performance-driven brand, the material you choose — Acetate, Metal, or TR90 — impacts customer perception, production flexibility, and even long-term product success.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key features of each material and help you decide which is best for your brand’s goals.

🟢 Acetate – The Premium Choice for Fashion-Forward Brands

Acetate is a plant-based plastic known for its rich color depth and high-end look. It's widely used in designer eyewear and is perfect for brands that want to make a visual impact.

✅ Key Features:

• Can be milled into a wide range of shapes and colors

• Comfortable on the skin and hypoallergenic

• Offers a luxurious, handcrafted feel

• Easy to customize for limited editions or brand-specific palettes

📦 Best For:

• Fashion and lifestyle brands

• Private label collections with a strong visual identity

• Mid-to-high-end positioning

⚠️ Considerations:

• Heavier than TR90

• MOQ for custom acetate sheets

🟡 Metal – Timeless Durability for Classic & Executive Styles

Metal frames are known for their strength, elegance, and minimalist appeal. Stainless steel, titanium, and nickel silver are commonly used in production.

✅ Key Features:

• Durable and long-lasting structure

• Ideal for thin, sleek silhouettes

• Adds a premium, modern feel

• Titanium options are ultra-lightweight and corrosion-resistant

📦 Best For:

• Optical lines targeting professionals or older demographics

• Unisex or gender-neutral collections

• Brands aiming for a classic or minimalist aesthetic

⚠️ Considerations:

• Limited color customization compared to acetate

  
  

🔵 TR90 – Lightweight Flexibility for Performance or Budget Markets

TR90 is a Swiss-engineered thermoplastic known for its lightness and flexibility. It's perfect for activewear collections or budget-friendly models where comfort is key.

✅ Key Features:

• Super lightweight and flexible, hard to break

• High resistance to bending and warping

• Comfortable for extended daily wear

• Lower production cost compared to acetate or metal

📦 Best For:

• Sports eyewear (cycling, running, outdoor)

• Children's eyewear and affordable mass-market lines

• Entrepreneurs starting with low-MOQ collections

⚠️ Considerations:

• Fewer customization options for luxury positioning

  
  

🧭 Which Material is Right for Your Brand?

Tip: Many eyewear brands offer a mix of materials across SKUs — for example, acetate for flagship items and TR90 for budget lines. Diversifying your material choices can help you serve broader customer segments.

💡 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right frame material isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a strategic business decision that affects your brand identity, customer experience, and cost structure.

At Bright Eyewear, we help eyewear brands and wholesalers choose materials that align with their design goals and market needs. Whether you're prototyping a luxury acetate model, metal model or launching a cost-efficient TR90 line, or even want to combine them, our team offers the expertise and flexibility to support your success.

👉 Contact us now to explore material options, request samples, or develop your next custom eyewear collection.