Frame order shipping costs depend on three things: the transport mode you pick, the chargeable weight of the shipment, and the Incoterm in your contract. Samples typically move by express courier, small bulk orders by air, and full collections by sea freight, which is usually the cheapest per unit for anything above a few cartons. There is no single fixed price, so the practical answer is knowing ...

Importing optical frames from China follows eight practical steps: shortlist a manufacturer, audit the factory, approve samples, place the order, run quality inspection, book freight, clear customs, and distribute. Most problems come from skipping one of these stages, so this guide walks through each step, the documents involved, and the mistakes that cost importers the most money.The 8-Step Impor...

Electroplating in eyeglass frame manufacturing is the process of depositing a thin metal layer onto a frame by electric current, giving metal frames their color, corrosion resistance, and skin-safe surface. A typical plating stack runs copper, then nickel or a nickel-free barrier, then a precious or protective top coat such as gold, palladium, or gunmetal. The plating controls both how the frame l...

Titanium frames are welded with laser welding or argon arc (TIG) welding, and the choice depends on the joint design and order volume. Titanium reacts with oxygen at welding temperature, so the joint must be shielded by argon gas while the metal is fused. Done correctly, the weld is as strong as the base wire and nearly invisible after polishing; done poorly, it becomes brittle, discolored, and pr...

You have three practical routes to inspect frames before shipping: rely on the factory's final QC report, appoint a third-party inspection agency such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, or QIMA to audit the lot on your behalf, or combine both for high-value orders. Whichever route you choose, the inspection is booked once goods are fully produced and mostly packed, and the report you receive becomes your evi...

AQL inspection for eyewear is the statistical sampling method used to decide whether a finished shipment passes or fails. Instead of checking every frame, the inspector draws a random sample sized by the lot quantity, grades every defect found as critical, major, or minor, and compares the counts against acceptance limits agreed in your contract. The result is an objective accept, reject, or rewor...

A trustworthy eyewear manufacturer should hold ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, a social compliance audit such as Sedex/SMETA or BSCI, and current product test reports covering CE, EN ISO 12312-1, ANSI Z80.3, and material safety. The certificates alone prove little, though, so you also need to verify they are genuine, in date, and issued for the factory you ...

Most prescription eyeglass frames do not legally require CE certification in the EU, because they are treated as general consumer products rather than regulated devices. Sunglasses and tinted fashion eyewear, however, do need CE marking under the PPE Regulation and EN ISO 12312-1, and safety eyewear has its own stricter requirements. As the importer, you carry the compliance duty, so it pays to kn...

Injection molding in eyewear is a manufacturing method that melts plastic pellets and injects them into a steel mold to form a frame in seconds. It delivers low cost, high consistency, and fast output, which makes it the standard choice for TR90, kids', sport, and budget frame programs. READSUN runs injection lines alongside its acetate and metal lines, so buyers can mix materials in one order.How...

Eyeglass frames are made with a mix of CNC machining centers, injection molding machines, polishing units, ultrasonic cleaners, laser engravers, and 3D printers. More automation means steadier quality and shorter lead times. READSUN pairs these machines across its acetate, injection, and metal lines under one roof. Eyeglass Frame Manufacturing Machine Explained CNC machining center: mills acet...

Glasses are made in two parallel streams—frames and lenses—that are later assembled into a finished pair. Frames are shaped from acetate, injected plastic, or metal, while lenses are surfaced, coated, and cut to fit. READSUN runs both workflows in one 20,000 m² plant with 6 production lines and FDA and CE approved processes. Glasses Made Step by Step: The Full Production Process Frame shaping:...

Plastic eyeglass frames are made by injection molding: heated plastic is injected into a steel mold, cooled, de-burred, and finished with color or coating. This is different from acetate frames, which are cut from sheet stock rather than molded. READSUN runs injection lines next to its acetate and metal lines, so buyers can mix materials in one order. Plastic Eyeglass Frames: The Full Productio...

The acetate frame manufacturing process follows ten core steps: sheet selection, cutting, CNC milling, polishing, hinge soldering, assembly, surface finishing, adjustment, logo application, and final quality control. Each step protects fit and color consistency before the frame reaches packaging. READSUN runs every step in-house to keep lead times and quality under control.Acetate Frame Manufactur...

Acetate frames are made from plant-based sheet acetate that is cut, milled by CNC, hand-polished, fitted with hinges, and finally adjusted and inspected. The color runs through the whole sheet, so edges show rich patterns instead of surface paint. READSUN produces acetate frames on dedicated lines using this full process, which keeps both finish and consistency under control.The Acetate Frame Prod...

Eyeglass frames are made through three material paths: acetate frames are cut and polished from sheet stock, injection frames are molded from heated plastic, and metal frames are shaped and soldered. Every path ends with hinge assembly, surface finishing, and quality checks. READSUN runs all three lines in-house across a 20,000 m² factory with 6 production lines and monthly capacity of 500,000 pai...

A private label eyewear line typically launches in 4–20 weeks depending on the model you choose: white label runs 4–6 weeks, ODM 8–12 weeks, and fully custom OEM 12–20 weeks. The clock starts after your design is confirmed, then moves through sampling, production, and shipping. Plan backward from your target launch date and confirm the exact timeline with the factory.Private Label Launch Timeline ...

White label means one generic product sold under many different buyer logos; private label means a product designed or customized exclusively for one brand. In eyewear, white label frames are ready-made designs any reseller can brand, while private label frames are developed or modified for your brand alone. White label is faster and cheaper; private label wins on exclusivity and long-term brand e...

Private label eyewear is eyewear produced by a factory and sold under your own brand name. You choose the frames — a fully custom design, a modified existing model, or a stock design — and the factory applies your logo, packaging, and finish. It lets you build a branded eyewear line without owning production equipment, which is why most new eyewear brands start this way.Three Ways to Build a Priva...

Choose an eyewear factory in China by verifying four things before you commit: that the supplier is a real manufacturer rather than a trading company, that core materials are produced in-house, that quality certifications are current, and that communication stays fast through sampling and production. A factory that welcomes video or on-site audits is usually confident in what happens on its own fl...

There is no single fixed MOQ for custom acetate frames — the minimum order scales with how deep your customization goes. Adding your logo to an existing acetate model needs the smallest run, changing colors or materials needs a mid-size order, and fully bespoke shapes require the highest volume because new tooling must be amortized. Confirm your exact design with the factory to get a precise figur...

Choose OEM when you already own a finished frame design and need it built exactly to your specifications; choose ODM when you want to modify proven existing frames with your logo, colors, or materials. Most first-time eyewear brands start with ODM because it avoids tooling costs and shortens development, while established brands move to OEM for full design ownership.OEM or ODM: A 4-Point Decision ...

Frame Quality Claim: What It Means for Eyewear Importers A frame quality claim is a formal request raised after delivery. It may involve hinge failure, plating peel, size mismatch, color difference, scratches, loose screws, or missing accessories. The key is to separate transit damage from factory defects before deciding the next step. For B2B buyers, a clear claim process pro...

What quality documents should a manufacturer provide? Short answer: A reliable eyewear manufacturer should provide inspection reports, material declarations, certificates of analysis (COA), test reports, and packaging or shipping documents. Depending on your market, you may also need nickel release reports, UV test reports, and declaration of conformity. These documents help B2B buyers set a...

Do optical frames require FDA 510(k) clearance? Short answer: In most cases, no. Standard optical frames are generally not classified as medical devices by the FDA, so they usually do not require 510(k) clearance. However, prescription lenses, certain sunglasses, and products with medical claims may fall under FDA rules. Always check the FDA product classification database for your exact pro...

What does frame durability testing involve? Short answer: Frame durability testing involves mechanical, chemical, and visual checks that simulate real-world use. It usually covers hinge fatigue, frame strength, lens rim stability, corrosion resistance, sweat exposure, coating adhesion, and finish wear. The aim is to confirm that eyeglass frames can survive daily handling, shipping, and long-...

How much do eyeglass frame samples cost? Eyeglass frame samples typically cost between USD 20 and USD 150 per piece, depending on material, customization level, and whether a new mold is required. Stock frames are cheapest, ODM modifications cost more, and full OEM samples with new tooling are the most expensive. Most factories deduct the sample fee from the bulk ord...

What is the production lead time for custom frames? Custom frame production lead time typically ranges from 45 to 75 days after sample approval, depending on the material, structure, and order volume. The full timeline includes order confirmation, sampling, sample approval, bulk production, quality inspection, and shipment preparation. Stock customization is faster a...

Can I get a discount for bulk orders? Yes, most eyewear factories offer tiered discounts for bulk orders, typically starting at 300 pieces and increasing at 500, 1,000, and 3,000 pieces. The discount is usually a percentage reduction on the unit price, and it can be combined with mixed-model orders as long as the total quantity meets the tier. Freight, packaging, and...

What is an acceptable defect rate for frames? An acceptable defect rate for eyeglass frames depends on the AQL level agreed between buyer and factory. For most wholesale orders, AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects is the industry standard. This means a batch is acceptable if the sample shows defects below those limits. Anything above is rejected o...

What is the warranty on wholesale eyeglass frames? Most wholesale eyeglass frames carry a 12-month warranty from the date of shipment, covering manufacturing defects such as broken hinges, loose welds, plating failure, and structural cracks. The warranty does not cover accidental damage, normal wear, or improper use. Claim terms, coverage scope, and replacement polic...

How do I verify an eyewear manufacturer is legitimate? To verify an eyewear manufacturer is legitimate, check five things: legal registration, factory address, live video tour, production records, and third-party certificates. Legitimate factories will provide all five without hesitation. Scam suppliers avoid video calls, use vague addresses, and demand full payment ...

What is an eyewear factory audit and why does it matter? An eyewear factory audit is an independent on-site evaluation of a supplier's production capacity, quality management system, social compliance, and traceability. It answers one core question: can this factory consistently produce the approved product on schedule, with documented evidence? For importers and eye...

What is the ISO standard for eyeglass frames? The main ISO standard for eyeglass frames is ISO 12870, titled "Ophthalmic optics — Spectacle frames — Requirements and test methods." It defines the minimum requirements for spectacle frames, including dimensional accuracy, mechanical strength, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and material safety. In Europe, the ...

What quality tests are done on eyeglass frames? The main quality tests on eyeglass frames are hinge fatigue testing, salt spray corrosion testing, nickel release testing, tensile and drop testing, sweat resistance, color fastness, and dimensional stability. These tests confirm that a frame can survive daily wear, meet market regulations, and protect brand reputation. For B2B buyers, tes...

How do I check the quality of eyeglass frames? To check the quality of eyeglass frames, inspect six points: hinge action, weld joints, surface finish, frame alignment, screw tightness, and material feel. A quality frame opens smoothly, sits flat, has clean edges, and shows no gaps or rough spots. For B2B buyers, a written inspection checklist plus AQL sampling reduces returns an...

What is the process of custom frame development? Custom frame development follows seven main steps: requirement discussion, design drawing, engineering review, prototype or 3D printing, mold making, sample approval, and bulk production. Each step has its own timeline and decision point. Buyers who understand this process can plan launches more accurately, avoid delays, and contr...

How much does it cost to develop custom eyeglass frames? Developing custom eyeglass frames typically costs from a few hundred to several thousand US dollars, depending on the material, complexity, and order volume. The total includes tooling or mold cost, engineering and sample fees, and unit cost per frame. Stock customization and ODM modification cost far less than full OEM de...

Can I get custom eyeglass frames made? Yes, you can get custom eyeglass frames made. There are three main production paths: full OEM development with your own design and mold, ODM modification of an existing frame model, and stock frame customization with your logo and colors. Each path has different MOQ, lead time, and cost. READSUN Optical supports all three routes for importe...

How do I find a custom eyeglass frame manufacturer? To find a custom eyeglass frame manufacturer, you need to evaluate material capability, factory size, certifications, sample process, MOQ, and communication quality. The right partner should produce acetate, TR90, titanium, and stainless steel frames, offer OEM and ODM services, and provide full quality documentation. READSUN O...

What Does OEM Mean in Eyewear Manufacturing? In eyewear manufacturing, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. It means the factory produces eyeglass frames according to the buyer's design, specifications, or sample — not the factory's own design. The buyer owns the design, and the finished frames carry the buyer's brand. OEM is the standard model for brands that want full contro...