Ordering custom clip on sunglasses used to mean you’ll have to go to a physical location or mail your frame for the manufacturing process. Modern technologies like the internet and smart mobile devices now allow the luxury of ordering from almost anywhere.
In this short guide we’ll go over the the necessary information you’ll need to provide in order to get a pair of clip on sunglasses that fits your frame perfectly:
- How to take pictures of your spectacles
- Understanding the frame information
- How to measure your spectacles
How to take pictures of your spectacles
Instead of using a physical object as a mold, we’ll use images of the frame to create a pattern for the clip on lenses, set it’s base curve, determine the length of the prongs and take unusual features (for example, a protruding nose bridge) into consideration.
A total of 3 images are needed:
1. Lens
This image is used to create a pattern for the clip on lenses. We trace the edges of the frame and/or lenses thus creating a shape that will offer sufficient coverage.
For optimal results, the picture has to be taken in a perpendicular angle to the plane of the lens and from a distance to prevent a fisheye effect which will distort the shape.
Guideline:
– Fold the temples and place on a flat surface
– Turn flash off
– Aim at the center of the lens from about a foot away and zoom in
– Make sure the angle is perpendicular to the plane of the lens
2. Top
This image will be used to determine the base curve of the clip on and the length of the clip on’s top prongs.
If there are any unusual features that should be taken into consideration such as a protruding bridge or thick lenses, they will show up in this image.
3. Bottom
This image will be used to determine the base curve of the clip on and the length of the clip on’s bottom prongs.
If there are any unusual features that should be taken into consideration such as a protruding bridge or thick lenses, they will show up in this image.
Understanding frame Information
Most frame manufactures print or curve information on the frame that usually includes the following: The brand name, Model name or number, color, eye size, bridge size and temple length.
We use this information to categorize and properly scale the clip-on so it fits the frame properly.
Brand
The brand name will usually be printed on one of the temples.
Some of the most popular brands people buy clip on sunglasses for are Warby Parker, Ray-Ban, Nike and Oakley.
The brand model of the frame in the example is Valentino (it’s printed on the other temple).
Model
The Model is either a number, a name or a combination of letters and numbers.
Warby Parker uses different names, Ray-Ban models are RB or RX followed by a 4 digit number and Nike uses 3 or 4 digit numbers as the model.
The color is also printed on the frame, however it’s not relevant to the order. The color code comes after the model.
In the example the model is V2664 and the color code is 031.
Sizes
- Eye Size
- Bridge Size
- Temples Length
The Eye size is the width of the prescription lens in millimeters. The bridge size is the distance between the lenses. The temple length isn’t relevant to the order.
The eye and bridge sizes are usually separated with a square.
In the example, it’s 51◻16 (135 is the temple length).
How to measure your spectacles
The printed sizes are accurate in most cases, however there are unexpected exceptions. In order to assure the accuracy of the scale, you may be asked to provide a real world measurement.
Use a caliper (or a ruler) to measure the total height of the spectacles.
The preferable measuring unit is millimeters.
