Colors and Materials
The short version
- Antique Brass zippers combine well with both antique brass and brushed brass hardware.
- Antique brass ≠ antique gold ≠ antique copper.
- Nickel zippers match nickel, matte nickel and polished nickel hardware.
- For coil zippers #S5, use #S5 zipper pulls.
Want to understand the differences a bit better? Here’s the full explanation.
Finishes and colours
What is the difference between antique brass and brushed brass?
Antique brass is the warm, slightly darker tone often referred to as antique bronze by many European suppliers.
Brushed brass is brighter and has a subtle brushed texture, similar to brushed stainless steel cookware.
Both finishes pair nicely with our Antique Brass zippers.
Is antique gold the same as antique brass?
No.
Antique gold has a warmer, more yellow tone.
Antique brass is deeper and more brown.
You can think of it like the difference between light green and light blue: close, but clearly different colours.
Why do some people call this “antique gold”?
We hear that quite often.
Many people use antique gold as a general name for what is actually antique brass.
At Zipper Zoo we use the finish names very precisely. Antique brass always refers to the bronze-toned finish.
This way you know exactly which colour you will receive.
Is antique copper the same as antique brass?
No, those are different finishes as well.
Antique copper has a reddish brown tone, similar to old copper coins.
Antique brass is more yellow-brown.
The overall look is related, but the colour tone is clearly different.
Tip: avoid mixing them unless you intentionally want contrast.
Why do you offer several bronze and gold tones?
Simply because we like them.
Finishes such as antique copper and antique gold are not very common in Europe, but they work beautifully for both feminine and masculine bags.
If you combine materials from different shops, sticking with antique brass is usually the safest option.
If you use only Zipper Zoo materials, everything will match perfectly.
Zippers
How do I know if a zipper and slider match?
Check the code:
#S5 → coil zipper
#M5 → metal zipper
The 5 refers to the width of the zipper teeth (around 5 mm).
Use #S5 pulls for coil zippers and #M5 pulls for metal zippers.
We also offer metal zippers in #M3, which are slimmer and mainly used for small accessories or inner pockets. These require #M3 zipper pulls.
Why shouldn’t I use metal zippers on regular fabrics?
Metal teeth require more force and more sewing experience.
For most fabrics, canvas, cork or faux leather, a coil zipper is usually the better option.
- more flexible
- stronger
- easier to sew
Do you sell other types of zippers?
We intentionally focus on the zipper types bagmakers actually need.
- coil zippers
- metal zippers
Other zipper types are left to suppliers who specialise in them.
How do I choose the right colour?
Colours can look different on every screen, so it is safer to rely on the colour name rather than what you see on your monitor.
If you are unsure:
- bring a fabric sample when picking up your order
- or mention in your order what the zipper needs to match
We are always happy to help you choose.
At Zipper Zoo:
Same name = same colour.
Different name = different shade.
Sage Green and Mossy Green may look related on screen, but they are clearly different colours.
One more thing
Your orders are packed by us personally, not by a student worker.
So if we notice that something slightly different would better match what you probably meant, we sometimes allow ourselves to think along with you.
That is one of the advantages of a small and slightly stubborn shop.