“Silk flower” has become a generic term used to refer to any fabric flower and many of the newer chemical compounds that produce not only life-like, but almost life-like plants and flower buds. They are also called artificial flowers, fake flowers, and the now beloved term used by many florists, permanent botanists. They vary in material, quality, and apparent skill of the maker.

Most silk flowers are made in China, Thailand and Honduras and thousands of 40ft containers are exported to many countries every year. Polyester has been the main material used since the 1970s. It is suitable for mass production due to its lower cost, good response to dyes and glues, and high durability. Plastic is commonly used to replicate stems, berries, and other parts of flowers. Other materials can include paper, cotton, parchment, latex, rubber, and satin. When creating silk flower arrangements, florists can also add dried materials, such as flowers, other plant parts, berries, feathers, and artificial fruit.

Artificial fruits are often made from a tapioca or flour-based product that is formed into molds to resemble their natural counterparts. The finishing touches of the final dyes are an integral part of fruit that looks like it just came home from the grocery store.

Higher-end silk flower arrangements will also use flowers made from silk, rayon, and cotton. Stems are often made of wire wrapped in durable, specially dyed, tear-resistant paper.

The material is placed in molds and heated to form the distinctive shapes, curves, and wrinkles of the individual petals. A variety of reinforcement techniques are then applied.

Since approximately 2007, a new generation called real touch, fresh touch, natural touch, true touch, velvet touch or soft touch has emerged. These range from quite realistic to ultra-realistic in detail and have amazing elasticity and flexibility of stems, foliage, buds and flowers similar to their natural models. They are made from blends of complex chemical compounds such as polyurethane, latex, polyvinyl chloride, and more advanced polymers and are formed in high-precision molds. The original true touch technologies were developed in the US, then refined and tested in Taiwan and Japan. Factories throughout Asia (primarily in China and Thailand) are now major manufacturers of real-touch artificial plants.

Many silk flower arrangements are on the market today that are so precise and botanically accurate replicas that displays once reserved for only the most magnificent fresh flowers are now using these beautiful silk flowers either exclusively or mixed with the flowers. fresh. Silk flowers provide the opportunity to use seasonal flowers throughout the year and to mix and match flowers that naturally bloom at different times of the year in a single arrangement.

No matter the actual material and process used in manufacturing, the vast improvement in quality and design coupled with today’s lifestyles that demand a more carefree approach to home décor have created a surge in the popularity and acceptance of silk flower arrangements.

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