The Many Innovative Uses for Wristbands have seen Demand Rising
Initially the uses for wristbands were somewhat limited and most of early the demand was from hospitals where, for reasons of safety and efficiency, there was a growing need for a secure means by which to verify their patients’ identities. Early models were designed to fasten securely and to hold a simple hand-written or typed name tag which could also be used to identify the patient’s ward and bed number. Since a stay in a clinic is generally quite short, a disposable plastic product was adequate while the medical alert bracelets commonly worn by those with allergies, epilepsy or diabetes, for instance, are of a more permanent nature.
The first significant upsurge in the uses for wristbands occurred a little over ten years ago when, in 2004, a yellow silicone band was launched as a means to raise funds for the charitable organisation known then as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Its success was overwhelming as fans of the US cyclist and devotees of cancer research scrambled to be seen wearing one. No one could have predicted that sales would top 80 million or that this campaign would mark the beginning of a revolution among the world’s fundraisers. This simple concept has seen them abandon traditional paper flags and stickers in favour of these colourful, eye-catching and incredibly effective silicone bracelets.
The uses for wristbands would have continued to remain somewhat limited but for two developments. Marketers recognised the simple fact that, if this medium could work for charity, it could also work for business. So, emblazoned with a logo and a catchy payoff line, these inexpensive wearables have since become a highly cost effective tool with which to promote a company’s brand and its products.
The second development was the introduction of new materials that were more durable and less resilient than silicone. Â While the latter is soft and comfortable, even when worn for long periods, these bracelets are very resilient and easy to remove. This, in turn, restricts the uses for silicone wristbands in any application where security is a prime requirement. Fabrics such as satin and synthetics like vinyl and Tyvek, made from flash spun fibres of high-density polyethylene are the perfect alternative as, with the aid of a suitable fastening, they become tamperproof and cannot be removed without displaying visible evidence.
This simple feature has resulted in Tyvek, vinyl and fabric bands replacing the use of conventional admission tickets at major events in countries all over the world. Bracelets of different colours are often used to denote certain privileges such as access to VIP areas and may even have detachable segments to gain entry or access to some area or facility, adding further to the uses for wristbands.
Innovators continue to find new ways to utilise these simple devices. In addition to bands that glow in the dark, there are now models that can display 3D holographic animations, change colour when exposed to harmful levels of UV radiation and which, when unfastened, may be used as a handy USB connector.
Offering numerous varieties of bracelet and many similar items intended for promotional or security purposes, IDCBand is South Africa’s leading supplier to the events, hospitality and entertainment industry all of which have various uses for wristbands.
