What "Drawn" Means
Hair collected from donors is never all one length. A ponytail cut at 24 inches contains strands of 24 inches and many shorter ones. "Drawing" is the hand process of pulling the short strands out of a bundle of hair, so what's left is closer to one length.
- 01Single drawn drawn once. Some short hair is removed. Roughly 40–50% of the strands reach full length.
- 02Double drawn drawn a second time. Most of the short hair is removed. Roughly 70–80% of the strands reach full length.
Some vendors also sell "super double drawn" or "triple drawn" hair. These terms aren't standardized. What matters is how full the ends are, which you can see and measure.
Single Drawn vs Double Drawn at a Glance
| Single drawn | Double drawn | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-length strands | About 40–50% | About 70–80% |
| Look | Full at the top, natural taper at the ends | Thick from root to tip |
| Movement | Soft, natural, more "layered" | Heavier, blunt, sleek |
| Raw hair used per bundle | Less | More |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Layered styles, curly textures, leave-out blends | Blunt cuts, bobs, bone straight, glam wigs |
| Popular markets | US, UK, salon installs | West Africa, luxury brands, bone straight buyers |
Why Double Drawn Costs More
The price difference comes from the raw material. To make a 100 g double drawn bundle at 22 inches, the factory has to start with more 22-inch hair, because the short strands that come out can't go into that bundle. Each draw is also manual work, done by hand at a drawing board, and the second draw is slower than the first because the worker is pulling fewer, longer short strands out of a cleaner bundle. And long hair is scarce: the longer the length, the more full-length hair a bundle needs, so the price gap widens as length increases.
The short strands removed aren't wasted. They go into shorter bundles. But the long, full-length hair is what you're paying for.
How to Tell Them Apart
You can check this yourself on any sample:
- 01The end test hold the bundle at the weft and let it hang. Compare the thickness 2 inches from the weft with the thickness 2 inches from the ends. Double drawn should look nearly the same at both points.
- 02The weight split cut a small section, separate the strands that reach full length from the shorter ones, and weigh both. This gives you a real ratio to compare vendors.
- 03The flat lay lay the bundle flat and spread it. Single drawn shows a clear "V" towards the ends. Double drawn looks more like a rectangle.
For a complete testing routine, see How to Test Hair Samples Before Buying in Bulk.
Which Products and Customers Are Worth Double Drawn?
Worth it
- 01Bone straight bundles and wigs The sleek, blunt look depends on full ends. Popular for raw Vietnamese hair.
- 02Bobs and blunt cuts Thin ends show straight away on a blunt line.
- 03Glam and high density wigs Customers paying for volume expect it all the way down.
- 04Long lengths At 26 inches and longer, single drawn ends can look very thin.
- 05Any line that promises "thick to the ends" on the packaging.
Single drawn is the better choice
- 01Layered and face-framing styles A natural taper suits layers.
- 02Curly and kinky textures Curls add volume, and the taper looks natural.
- 03Sew-ins with leave-out Single drawn blends better with the customer's own hair.
- 04Price-sensitive markets and entry lines You can offer the same length at a lower price.
Many brands sell both, with single drawn as the core line and double drawn as the upgrade at the same lengths.
Common Buyer Misconceptions
"Double drawn means better quality hair."
Not exactly. Drawn type describes how many short strands have been removed; grade is a separate question. You can have double drawn virgin hair and double drawn processed hair. Check the grade separately in our hair grades guide.
"Double drawn sheds less."
Shedding depends mostly on the weft and the hair's cuticle. A well-made single drawn bundle can shed less than a poorly wefted double drawn one.
"All double drawn hair looks the same."
The ratio of full-length hair varies between vendors. Ask for a figure, then check it yourself.
"I need double drawn for everything."
For curly textures and layered looks, single drawn often looks more natural and costs less.
What to Write on Your Order
To get the result you expect, put these on your spec sheet:
- Drawn type: single or double
- The minimum full-length ratio you'll accept
- Weight per bundle, for example 100 g
- How length is measured (stretched, full-length strands)
- A reference photo of the ends from your approved sample
FAQ
Is "super double drawn" or "triple drawn" better than double drawn?
Not by definition. Neither term is standardized, so one vendor's "super double drawn" can have fuller ends than another's and the next one's can be ordinary double drawn. Ask for the full-length ratio in writing and check it with the weight split test above.
How many bundles do I need with double drawn hair?
Three for most full-head installs. At 20" to 26", where single drawn usually takes 3 to 4 bundles, double drawn's fuller ends mean 3 is enough. Counts by length and style are in How Many Bundles Do I Need?
Does double drawn hair last longer?
Lifespan depends mostly on the grade, the cuticle and how the hair is cared for. Double drawn ends can look full for longer because there's more hair at the bottom to begin with.
Can a wig be double drawn?
Yes. A wig made from double drawn hair keeps its fullness to the ends, which matters most on blunt bobs and long straight styles.
Do you make both?
Yes. We make single drawn and double drawn hair in virgin and raw grades, and our Hair Grade Comparison Kit includes both so you can see the difference.
See the Difference in Your Hands
Order both drawn types in the same length and texture, and compare the ends side by side.
Related reading
![Photo of [Production Author Name]](/images/author-production.jpg)
Runs production and quality control at ZUVI WIGS, from raw hair sorting to final inspection. [Production Author Years] in hair manufacturing.
Reviewed by [Production Manager Name], Production