Latex sheeting is made from natural rubber latex plus essential processing chemicals and pigments. Natural latex, as found in nature, is the milky sap from the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis), which was found originally in the tropical climates of South America and is now cultivated in Southeast Asia.
Latex sheeting comes in a long range of colors, translucence and thicknesses. Normally delivered on wide rolls (92-100 cm) of up to 10 metres in length or more. Designs and logos can be printed on latex sheeting using silk-screen print technique.
Storage and use:
Store below 26° C. away from damp conditions and away from heaters. Store away from natural light. UV rays can break down the sheet and cause fading. Avoid contact with copper and copper alloys. These cause staining. Avoid contact with oils, solvents and greases which will destroy natural rubber.
Health hazards:
Sheeting is generally considered non-hazardous. However some people have an allergic reaction to the proteins in natural rubber latex. Persons with the allergy should avoid contact with natural rubber latex sheeting.
Fire Hazard:
Natural rubber latex sheeting is flammable. It should be protected from naked flames and non-smoking restrictions in areas where it is being worked on are advisable.
See my list of suppliers of latex sheeting…
February 10th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Has anyone been able to purchase either end of rolls, odd colours or blemished latex at a discount to practice on ?
I got some bits from The Cloth House in London, but it’s £18 a meter. I’ve seen Radical Rubber, but I don’t want meters of the stuff as I’ve nowhere to keep it and they charge a premium if you order less online than 5 meters at a time.
Would be interested to know.
Thanks.
February 15th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Hi StretcyWench! Add yourself to Radical Rubber’s mailing list and you’ll get updates when they sell off seconds. Naturally, their black goes almost immediately, but I’ve managed to buy it in various gauges. It’s actually cheaper to buy the seconds than it is to buy stretch knit for garment prototypes.
February 15th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Oops, I see that you’re aware of Radical. But seriously, it’s cheap enough for 10 metres of seconds, under 30 GBP, which ends up being almost cheaper than buying it anywhere else. You’ll be surprised at how ingenious latex crafters are at storing their rolls, and you’ll have plenty for practice and future projects when you need it.
February 20th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
I notice the great, less expensive, prices for latex on UK websites, but are there any places in the United States that sell for those prices as well? For instance, Radical Rubber has a shipping charge of £75. I’d be relieved if there was a company in the states that sold latex without the pricey shipping to send it overseas. Anyone know? Links?
February 23rd, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Hi all have to say awsome web site !!!
been surfing for a while and i found this.
just wanted to say i’ve bought some sheeting from
mjtrends.con here in the U.S. AND have been happy with it.
i just orderd some last tuesday and i had it by saturday
again awsome site !
March 6th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
What is a good thickness for a latex garment? Radical Rubber sells 0.25 mm stuff but surely that is way way thin? Or does itmean 2.5mm (0.25 cm)?
March 7th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
It is 0.25mm! The very thin latex like the 0.25 is usually used for latex stockings or as well for underwear. For regular clothing like T-shirts, pants, dress etc. you can use 0.35 and even up to 0.60, depending on your design.
The thickness of the sheeting used for normal cotton clothing is not much different compared to the thickness of latex sheeting, here it also a matter of the design.
March 11th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
i use 0.60 for latex corsets since you need something nice and sturdy
March 15th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Another sheeting provider is: http://eurocatsuits.com/latex-sheeting-and-adhesives
Not as cheap as RR, but most of the time with less shipping fees and no minimal length requirement (plus roll width is 1,10m, can be usefull sometimes).
Didn’t tried yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
April 5th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Dear Latex Kitty and the other Latex artists,
Although I am from UK as is radical rubber, I was charged £10 for my £7.65 meter of blue latex sheet.
I went to radical rubber, I tried to order from euro catsuits, but I decided it was cheaper on radical rubber.
And I am trying to find a UK based latex glue firm as I don’t want to spend £8 on the glue and delivery.
I know I sound very much a cheap bargain hunter, but I am just a student trying to concoct an outfit for a photo shoot and I’m just experimenting at the moment with Latex to see if I’m any good at making latex clothes.
April 5th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
oops wording error ^^
I was charged £10 -postage* for my £7.65 meter of blue latex sheet.
April 7th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
In the USA there is a company called MJ Trends that is a little more costly than radical rubber but you only have to worry about the domestic shipping charges….I believe their website is http://www.mjtrends.com ! Good Luck from Florida, USA
June 21st, 2009 at %I:%M %p
I’ve just scanned around the net and can only find Radical rubber, who I rather not go to after read this section, and cloth house. Surely there’s more and 2 suppliers.
July 4th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Does anyone know what to use when screen printing latex sheeting? Is it liquid latex? I’ve still experimenting but it’s hard finding any information on what inks/ materials to use.
July 18th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Hi,
I wonder if anybody ever tried to create clothes from silicone? I am talking about the really soft and stretchy one (maybe it is a little bit thicker than the usual rubber sheet, but still would be ok because it is more stretchy than rubber).
Any idea where I can buy this kind of material in sheet to try to create some simple clothes?
Thanks
September 1st, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Hi all,
I’m wanting to make a rose and was wondering what thickness latex to use, that will be pliable but still maintain rigidity- thinking around 0.3 or .4?
I can feel some messy try outs coming on…
November 22nd, 2009 at %I:%M %p
Hi, I’m about to make my first latex dress, just a boob tube style mini dress, am wondering what the best thickness to go for is?
I’ve been looking at http://www.fourdrubber.com, does anyone know if this place is good quality/reasonably priced? I’m totally new to making latex clothing!
January 12th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
MrLat,
I’ve been looking around for awhile trying to find silicone sheeting comparable to what one would use for latex clothing. So far, I’ve only found this:
http://www.q5designs.com/
There’s alot of silicone sheeting manufacturers out there, but I’ve yet to find one with sheet thicknesses in the .30mm -.60mm range though. Hopefully someone else has had better luck.
January 26th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
im design studing and will make a colection of recykling things and thing can i use ols tubes for truks annd mopeds and cars? for exampel a dress or sweatshirts”
martin
January 26th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
@martin
Yes sure you can. If you glue them, be sure to use the rubber cement.
You can even use the tires if you wanna make something really rough and simple, but then you have to sew them of course, since they are to thick to be glued.
Good luck! PS: would be interesting to see what you made in the end
March 4th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Can anyone add a list of a few us based latex companies? so far I know about http://www.mjtrends.com/. all there stuff comes in 36 inch wide and i wanted a bit wider. I was looking for 40+ inch wide. All the others are foreign companies and charge like 50 bucks in shipping. I’m trying to avoid an extra seem.
April 6th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Just a follow up on the silicone sheeting -
I found a couple manufacturers in California that can roll sheets as thin as .38 mm, but the pricing when compared to mjtrends .40mm is pretty dismal: $60 per yard. They also don’t guarantee the exact specified thickness.
So yes it is possible to get comparable silicone sheeting but at a serious markup. If someone with good negotiating skills were motivated enough to pursue this, I’m sure the many fetishists with allergies would be grateful.
April 15th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
i found customer services abysmal at 4drubber…
really wouldn’t go there the staff are very rude
April 22nd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
So far I have been waiting over 5 weeks for my order from Radical Rubber. After the first week of waiting I emailed them and they replied saying that they were waiting on one of the colours to be delivered. I have since emailed them a couple more times and have yet to hear anything. Not very impressed with them I must say, need the latex for my final piece at college!
Has anybody else had an problems with them?
April 23rd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Dear Beth ,
(first : sorry for my english , I’m just a poor little frenchie !!)
When you order at radical rubber , specially in the order form , where you must precise the number of meters you need you have some grey and red symbol , if you go on it you can see their stock….actually some colors or thickness ar not available , and you must wait may or another month…You must absolutely take a look on the stock before order (if you HATE waiting like me…) .
In your situation , I think you just have to go on their website , look at the stock of the colours you order , if it’s available know….call and make a scandal , but if they are waiting … you just can wait to (sorry for this..) .
April 27th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
According to the website the colours and thicknesses I ordered are available now.
I would have no problem with waiting for something to come into stock, if they don’t have it, they don’t have it. It’s just the lack of communication which is bugging me.
I guess I will have to give them a ring.
Cheers Rubber Doll
May 1st, 2010 at %I:%M %p
HELP ME !!!
I (desperately….) search the right method to PAINT ON LATEX , with a PERMANENT result…..I search everywhere , ask to lot of people (with no answer..) so…
If somebody have the solution…I’ll appreciate !! very much !! Thanks a lot !!
June 4th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
HI IM FROM THE US. AND IM LOOKING FOR LEOPARD PRINT LATEX. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANYTHING?
OR WOULD I HAVE TO DO LIKE A SCREEN PRINT ON IT TO MAKE THE DESIGN?
June 6th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
just recieved my order from eurocatsuits.com, a czech based company. easy going, reasonable prices, and as the order came via airmail within three businessdays, reasonable handling and shipping too.
Stefan
July 8th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
HELP!!!!
i am interested in learning how to make latex clothing and is interested in making latex leggings!!
what thickness of latex should i use for the leggings? and how much seam allowance would it need for slack?
this is all new to me, so any help or tips would be great!!
July 30th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Can you please clarify how mm translates to gauges. For example, I see on websites that their products are made from “20 gauge latex,” but when I go to purchase sheeting it’s only sold in .2mm – .8mm. How can I convert these two units.
Thanks in advance!
-Se7en*
August 2nd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Does anyone know of a latex like material other than PVC for those that are allergic?
September 3rd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Hi, I just talked with someone @ Stockwell elestrometrics and they are sending me some samples of silicone sheeting. The selection of colors is low Grey, cream and black. The price minimum is $150.00 US. If you click the web site link, and scroll down to the 4th box, you’ll see the Durometer of 10, 20, and 35. They sell the in .001 inch. This is spendy, but what do you do if there is a latex allergy? Datwhiteguy
September 3rd, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Oops I was wrong! the thickness is .01 inches. But I will see what the samples look like Datwhiteguy
September 4th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
I was wondering where to go to purchase all of these things.
I would also like to know how much latex to buy to just create the gloves – I’d like to start small…
Thank you!!!
September 4th, 2010 at %I:%M %p
Oh, I’m sorry forgot to mention – I’m in and around San Diego Ca.
Thank you!