What is the difference between Lycra and spandex?

Answer 1

The LYCRA® fiber brand is a valuable asset of INVISTA and is a world-renowned trademark. The LYCRA® fiber trademark is registered with trademark offices around the world as a brand of a broad variety of articles and services i.e. premium stretch fibers and fabrics, garments, and cosmetics.

We love it when you talk about LYCRA® fiber, but please remember that not all materials that stretch contain LYCRA® brand fiber.

Please use the LYCRA® fiber brand name correctly, help us retain its distinctive value:

LYCRA® fiber is not a category name for all stretch fibers or fabrics, so please don't use it as such. If in doubt use the term "stretch".

Please don't say: "Men in LYCRA®" because not everything that stretches contains LYCRA® fiber. It's a disservice to the person who values the performance of LYCRA® fiber over generic stretch materials.

There is no such thing as a "LYCRA® dress": there are dresses that contain LYCRA® fiber and those that don't.

LYCRA® fiber is a trademark of INVISTA.

Guidelines to follow when using the LYCRA® fiber trademark:

MAKE THE TRADEMARK DISTINCTIVE. The preferred usage for the LYCRA® fiber trademark is to use all capital letters. For example: LYCRA® Black fiber.

SHOW PROPER REGISTRATION STATUS. Always use the superscript "®".

ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT GENERIC. LYCRA® fiber.

DO NOT ALTER THE TRADEMARK. The trademark must be used only in the exact form in which it is registered. Never combine the LYCRA® fiber trademark with any other word or use it in close proximity to titles, words, trademarks, or other trade names or company names. Do not use "LYCRA®" in the plural, hyphenated, or possessive form, i.e., LYCRA®'s comfortable fit.

NEVER incorporate "LYCRA®" in a domain name, email address, metatag, URL or unapproved website.

DO NOT USE the LYCRA® fiber trademark on business cards, letterheads, invoices or other business material.

AUTHORISED USER. Each document that has use of the LYCRA® fiber trademark must include a footnote identifying INVISTA's ownership: LYCRA® fiber is a trademark of INVISTA.

How to use the LYCRA® fiber wave logos.

The LYCRA® fiber wave logos may only be used with the prior explicit permission of your INVISTA representative. The logos may only be reproduced from the artwork supplied by INVISTA. Please contact your INVISTA representative to receive the current artwork.

Hangtags.

Customers who both purchase components and manufacture products that satisfy INVISTA's Global Quality Standards can request hangtags and stickers from INVISTA to attach to their products to promote the LYCRA® fiber trademark. Visit our Hangtag site or contact your local INVISTA representative.

The supply of hangtags is subject to a product verification process, necessary to ensure the compliance with the Global Quality Standards.

Statutory labeling obligations.

Various jurisdictions permit the use of fiber trademarks in connection with mandatory fiber content labeling, commonly called "sew-in labels". INVISTA encourages our customers to use the LYCRA® fiber trademark on sew-in labels in accordance with these regulations. Textile products sold in the United States must satisfy specific rules.

LYCRA® fiber is a trademark of INVISTA.

To answer the question: One of the big differences is Spandex is not quite so protective of the tradename.

Answer 2

Neither; LYCRA is a world-renowned trademark of INVISTA, but is just one brand of spandex, the coined term for that type of synthetic fiber. There is no difference, since the words lycra and spandex are commonly used interchangeably.