Recent RISD grad Jiwon Choi reached out to us about her recent travails in finding a manufacturer for her Tyvek Vase. "Since it is a relatively new material, no one is willing to experiment with it. Some manufacturers said they are reluctant to use Tyvek because they don't know what it is. Tyvek is reusable and in many cases, it has more positive side than plastic. I'm hearbroken."
The remarkably simple object consists of a sheet of Tyvek, a versatile waterproof paper developed by DuPont, coiled into a conical vessel, an elegant repurposing of the industrial material. Designed just in time for Valentine's day, the objective was to create a simple and light (yet strong enough to stand) package for flowers. Flowers will go back to the soil, Tyvek will have have a second life too; repurposed for products like corrugated pipes and landscape material.
We wish Choi the best of luck in finding a manufacturer—surely our readers can provide some leads?
Ray is a writer, editor, and researcher
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Paper Chase: Help Jiwon Choi Find a Manufacturer for Her Tyvek Vase
I love the way the material ages from a texture stand point but not the edges. maybe working the edges with another material will also help with your construction techniques.
The only way to make this vase would be to use a gusseted bottom like a stand-up pouch. The amount of capital required to engineer the system to handle the material, cut it, fold it, and seal it would be cost prohibitive unless production was very high volume.
db: those surgical kits you talk about are exactly right: Tyvek is the predominant lidding because it's gas permeable. The trays it sticks to are either PVC or more likely PET. (I know because we make the trays too - just not for FFS)
I believe "Design's " comment is correct that although most Tyveks are water resistant, they are not necessarily waterproof. Even "waterproof" nylons and cotton ducks start to wick the water through the material after time... I would think that you would experience the same dilemma with Tyvek.
But with that in mind, I wouldn't stop the pursuit of a short-run self made production just because you were not able to find a make willing to change their current production methods are willing to explore new ones. Unfortunately the industry doesn't always allow for innovation due to overhead, minimums and the way we have set-up machining/production in manufacturing.
Some of the best ideas had to have a production created for them.
As clean and elegant as this design is i would have trouble with the from as a vase. It would end up more disposable the reusable due to the lack of ability to clean the vessel and the material wearing quickly. I think this would defeat the purpose of a "recyclable material " Anyone that actually uses a vase or deals with flowers knows what happens to the water after a short period of time...SLIME !
Good Luck and don't be afraid to take a calculated risk.
You can sew Tyvek (I've done it), although it leaves a clear view of the puncture holes from the needle and creates a non water-tight construction.
With that said, I think this is still a softgoods job. And for softgoods jobs in New York City, its doable. Jiwon, if you're in NYC, take your samples and some yards of Tyvek over to the Garment District (start at the hut with the large button/needle sculpture if you need help with names) and ask a few places to quote on production. A good sewer will offer water proof bonding techniques using interface material.
You can buy rolls of different tyveks through Material Concept. They are North American distributor for Tyveks. There are hundreds of different Tyveks.
I know Tyveks are moisture proof but I am not sure if they are water proof. I would like to test to see if it would work for a vase. Laminating a thin layer of vinyl inside would work but that defeats the whole purpose of using tyvek.
Tyvek really is an interesting material with great potential. You might want to talk to Artecnica which is a design studio in Los Angeles that pioneered several deesigner products made of Tyvek.
I'm never sure about designs like this to be honest. Simple form, photographed nicely. But what makes it any better than any other vase?? You can still pick up a rounded vase - you don't really need that flat part on the front for picking it up. This one is made from a different material - so that's the USP?
Sorry to sound a bit critical, I'm just trying to pinpoint why Core77 have picked this particular vase out.
Nevertheless, it does look clean, simple and 'designerly'.
You will need to invest in a custom sealer as this design does not have the typical straight seals of a typical plastic bag. Vertrod makes such equipment could help if you want to manufacture it yourself.
If you are doing a low run, you will need to pony up for the capital costs. Also, many flexible film manufacturers are setup for very large volumes, think Hefty Bag. Finding someone for a small run is difficult but not impossible. A company called Vonco in the north burbs of Chicago could be one.
where is a good place to buy tyvek in rolls?