If you work in the lingerie, activewear, or underwear industry, you’ve probably heard of woven seamless panties and bonded seamless panties. Both are popular “no-stitch” underwear technologies, but they are made in entirely different ways. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right style for comfort, stretch, performance, and price.
What Are Woven Seamless Panties?
Woven seamless panties, also known as circular-knit seamless panties, are produced on special machines such as Santoni seamless knitting machines. Instead of cutting fabric pieces and sewing them together, the body of the panty is knitted directly in a tubular shape.
How Woven Seamless Is Made
- Yarn (nylon, polyester, spandex) is fed into circular knitting heads
- The machine knits the panty into a smooth, tube-like shape
- Patterns, ribs, and compression areas are integrated during knitting
- Minimal cutting or stitching is required
- Only small areas (like the gusset) may need sewing
Key Features of Woven Seamless Panties
- Soft, stretchy, and body-hugging fit
- Durable and long-lasting
- Excellent for sportswear and performance underwear
- Breathable knitted structure
- Perfect for period underwear, shapewear, leggings, and activewear
What Are Bonded Seamless Panties?
Bonded seamless panties, also known as laser-cut seamless panties, use pre-woven fabric that is cut with high-precision lasers. Instead of stitching, seams are joined with heat-bonding tape or ultrasonic bonding. This creates a super-thin, smooth, and invisible finish.
How Bonded Seamless Is Made
- Nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex fabric is laser-cut into panty shapes
- Edges remain raw, soft, and extremely thin
- Heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding joins the seams
- No stitching is used on edges or side seams
- Creates a second-skin, no-VPL appearance
Key Features of Bonded Seamless Panties
- Completely invisible under clothes (zero VPL)
- Ultra-lightweight and silky-smooth
- Modern, minimal, raw-edge design
- Perfect for everyday wear, office wear, and tight outfits
- Best-selling style for fashion lingerie and boutique brands
Woven Seamless vs Bonded Seamless Panties: Key Differences
Here is a simple comparison to help you understand the significant differences:
| Feature | Woven Seamless | Bonded Seamless |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Circular knitting machines | Laser-cut fabric + heat bonding |
| Material | Yarn knitted into fabric | Pre-woven fabric sheets |
| Stretch Level | Very high stretch | Moderate stretch |
| Thickness | Medium / thicker | Ultra-thin, second-skin |
| Comfort Feel | Supportive, flexible | Silky, invisible |
| Panty Lines | Low visibility | Zero VPL |
| Durability | Long-lasting and strong | Bonding may weaken with washing |
| Best Use | Sports, period underwear, shapewear | Every day, invisible panties, fashion lingerie |
Advantages of Each Style
Advantages of Woven Seamless Panties
- Very stretchy and form-fitting
- Excellent for exercise and movement
- Durable and strong
- Good breathability
- Perfect for activewear and performance garments
Advantages of Bonded Seamless Panties
- Zero visible panty lines (VPL)
- Lightweight and ultra-smooth
- Ideal for tight clothing and office wear
- Modern minimalist look
- Extremely comfortable for daily use
Which Panty Style Should You Choose?
The choice between woven seamless and bonded seamless panties depends on your brand’s target customer and the purpose of the garment:
Choose Woven Seamless if you want:
- High stretch and flexibility
- Sports underwear
- Shapewear or period underwear
- Durable performance styles
Choose Bonded Seamless if you want:
- Invisible no-VPL panties
- Light, silky, second-skin feel
- Fashion lingerie
- Everyday comfort panties
Final Summary
Woven seamless panties offer durability, stretch, and support ideal for sports, shapewear, and high-performance underwear. Bonded seamless panties are ultra-thin, invisible, and modern, making them the top choice for everyday wear and fashion lingerie.
Both technologies serve different needs, and choosing the right one will help your underwear brand offer better comfort, function, and style to your customers.
Looking to source or manufacture seamless underwear? Contact us to learn more!