All About Acetate
Lets talk about acetate
You’ve probably seen the word when shopping for sunglasses, but most people don’t really know what it means, or why it matters.
At VANDA, acetate isn’t just a material choice.
It’s the foundation of our Core Collection.
It determines how your frames feel in your hands, how they sit on your face, and how they age over time.
We've taken care of the technical work so you don't have to, so here’s a simple guide to what acetate is, where it comes from, and why we use it.
What is Acetate?
Acetate, more specifically cellulose acetate.
Is a plant-based material made from wood pulp and cotton fibres.
Unlike injection-moulded plastics, acetate is formed in sheets. It is layered with colour, then cut, shaped and polished, all by hand.
Why do we use acetate?
We use acetate because it has a distinct feel and is comfortable to wear. It feels solid without being heavy, and the colour runs through the material.
This makes it ideal for translucent tones and blending colours to create tortoiseshell finishes. This means better durability and, richer tones (especially in tortoise and tea finishes), A frame that ages well over time.
When you hold an acetate frame next to a basic plastic one, you can feel the difference immediately.
Not all acetate is the same
There are different acetate houses around the world. Some specialise in heritage Italian sheets. Others focus on modern Japanese colour layering. Some factories use generic blends.
At VANDA, we work with suppliers that prioritise consistency, depth of colour, and long-term stability.
For our Core Collection, we’re using premium acetate selected specifically for a clean polish, strong hinge stability and an even weight distribution across the frame.
How acetate is made
Acetate frames aren’t injected into a mould like Nylon or Polycarbonate frames.
They’re cut from large acetate sheets, milled into shape, tumbled and polished.
Acetate frames are handmade and take around 25 to 90 days to make.
The finish, the bevels and the way light hits the edge is where acetate's character comes from.
CLARITY - PRECISION - DESIGN
