HD Lace vs Transparent Lace vs Swiss Lace
| Lace | Thickness | Look on skin | Durability | Price level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD Lace | Thinnest | Nearly invisible on most skin tones | Delicate, needs careful handling | Premium | Premium wigs, the US market, stylist installs |
| Transparent Lace | Thin | Blends well, can be tinted | Good | Mid | Most wig lines, value premium |
| Swiss Lace | Medium-thin | Natural, soft | Good | Mid | Lace front and full lace wigs, hair systems |
| Medium Brown Lace | Medium | Pre-tinted for medium to deep skin | Strong | Value | Volume markets, beginners |
HD Lace
The thinnest and softest lace we use. Once applied, it blends into most skin tones with little or no tinting, which is why premium US wig lines are built on it. HD lace needs gentle handling during installs and removal.
Transparent Lace
Clear lace that blends easily and can be tinted darker. It's stronger than HD and more forgiving, making it a reliable choice for most product lines.
Swiss Lace
A fine, soft mesh used widely for lace fronts, full lace wigs and men's hair systems such as our Swiss lace hair system. It balances a natural look with good durability.
Medium Brown Lace
Pre-tinted lace that suits medium to deep skin tones without any tinting. Strong, affordable and popular in volume markets.
Lace Sizes
| Size | Type | Parting area | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x6 | Closure | Deep middle part | Sleek middle-part styles |
| 4x4 | Closure | Middle and slight side part | Value closure wigs |
| 5x5 | Closure | Middle and side part | The most versatile closure size |
| 6x4 | Closure | Wider front | Glueless wigs |
| 6x6 | Closure | Wide parting area | Flexible closure styles |
| 7x5 | Closure | Wide front, deep part | Our core glueless size, see the 7x5 glueless wig |
| 7x7 | Closure | Wide, square parting area | Near-frontal coverage, sold as HD lace closures |
| 9x6 | Closure | Close to a frontal | Premium glueless wigs |
| 13x4 | Frontal | Ear to ear, 4" deep | Core 13x4 HD and transparent lace front wigs |
| 13x6 | Frontal | Ear to ear, 6" deep | Deep part 13x6 lace front wigs and frontals |
| 360 | Perimeter | All around the hairline | High ponytails, updos on a 360 lace wig |
| Full Lace | Entire cap | Anywhere | Free parting, any style on a full lace wig |
Lace size moves price more than lace type. As a market reference, typical wholesale ranges for an 18" virgin wig at 180% are about US$55 to 100 for a 4x4 or 5x5 closure wig, US$70 to 120 for a 7x5 glueless, US$85 to 150 for 13x4 HD and US$110 to 190 for 13x6 HD (ex-works China, as of 2026; not our price list). Transparent lace in place of HD usually takes a few dollars off. More sizes are in how much do wholesale wigs cost, and our price for your spec comes with a quote.
Which Lace Should You Stock?
Starting a US wig brand? 7x5 HD glueless wigs and 13x4 HD lace front wigs are the core sizes to start with.
Selling to West Africa or South Africa? 13x4 transparent and 5x5 transparent closure wigs offer the best balance of price and durability.
Building a premium line? 13x6 HD, 360 and full lace give stylists the most freedom.
Selling to beginners? Pre-cut 5x5 or 7x5 glueless wigs with bleached knots are the easiest to wear.
Lace Finishing Options
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pre-plucked | Hairline thinned by hand for a natural edge |
| Bleached knots | Knots lightened to look like scalp |
| Bye bye knots | Knots minimized and bleached for an invisible parting |
| Pre-cut lace | Lace trimmed along the hairline, ready to wear |
| Baby hair | Short hairs along the hairline |
| 4C kinky edges | Coily baby hair that matches natural 4C hair, see the kinky edges wig |
How to Check Lace on a Sample
Check the knots, the hairline and the lace after one install before you order in bulk; our guide on how to spot fake HD lace walks through each check.
Our lace and color sample kit puts every lace shade in your hands, and our color chart lists the shades available for each lace.
Lace Care Tips for Your Clients
- Remove adhesive with a proper remover, never by pulling the lace
- Tint lace darker with a lace tint spray; it cannot be made lighter
- A melt band presses the lace flat while it sets; it does not hold the wig in place. Glueless wigs are held by the elastic band, combs and drawstring
- HD lace lasts longest when it is lifted gently and stored on a wig stand
HD Lace vs Transparent Lace FAQ
Is HD lace the same as Swiss lace?
HD lace is a type of ultra-fine Swiss lace. All HD lace is very fine, but not all Swiss lace is HD.
Can lace be tinted?
Transparent and HD lace can be tinted darker with lace tint spray. Lace cannot be made lighter.
Which lace lasts longest?
Medium brown and transparent lace are the most durable. HD lace lasts well with careful handling.