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CIC
02 · Manufacturing

The Workshop, Up Close.

Three materials, four signature techniques, one team. Acetate, combination, titanium — produced under one roof, by one workforce, against one standard. Below: the patented and proprietary techniques that separate CIC from generic OEM.

Equipment & Process Backbone

Heyuan · F1 → F5 + Bangkok · 1 line
  • Automated wire-core shootingHidden wire in temple, machine-set
  • 5-axis CNCFront + temple, 0.05 mm tolerance
  • Automated laminationMetal inlay & chain pickup
  • Push-Thru hot-press cellsPatented · per-brand mold library
  • Climate-controlled linesAir-con + LED for colour fidelity
  • IP coating chamberVacuum, titanium + metal
  • Tumble + barrel polish14-day cure for hand-feel
  • Tracer & bench-alignment QC2 boxes × 20 pcs sampled per SKU
Signature Techniques · 04

Four Methods, One Workshop.

CIC ships standard acetate, combo, and titanium at scale — but the work below is what partner brands quietly buy us for. Patented pressing, proprietary mold libraries, and an automated lamination cell rare in Heyuan.

Push-Thru front · multi-tone, post-press · Heyuan F3
Technique
Patented · CIC

The Push-Thru Technique.

Patented pressing method — China patent ZL 2015 1 0558145.8 (Wang Daomin). Eliminates the step-down effect of traditional lamination.

Heat and pressure push coloured acetate layers through other layers on the same plane via a mold, producing a smooth multi-coloured surface with vibrant depth and dimension. Unlike step-milled lamination, Push-Thru runs in 2-layer (1.0 mm + 5.0 mm) or 3-layer (1.0 mm + 0.5 mm + 4.5 mm) constructions, and two 3-layer Push-Thru fronts can be laminated together for a 6-tone effect popular in the French market.

  • Method

    Heated mold press through coloured layers on a single plane — no step-down.

  • Construction

    2-layer 1.0 + 5.0 mm · or 3-layer 1.0 + 0.5 + 4.5 mm.

  • Custom molds

    Wide pattern library — flowers, geometrics, brand marks.

  • Sustainability

    Zero acetone — traditional lamination requires solvent glue. Eligible for ISCC PLUS sustainable acetate.

  • Cost

    Lower than traditional lamination — fewer steps, no solvent, less waste.

  • 6-tone effect

    Two 3-layer Push-Thru fronts laminated together — popular in FR market.

Layers
2 or 3
Step-down
None
Acetone
0%

Markets · US · EU · FR

Wrapped end-piece, sport wrap-around · macro
Technique
In-house mold library

Sculptural & Wrapped End-Pc.

Mold-pressed sculptural detailing with seamless wrapped end-piece construction. Density rises after pressing, so the front resists deformation over time. Unlike CNC engraving, mold work delivers a flawless, scratch-free surface with finer relief — and is faster and lower-cost than CNC.

  • Method

    Mold-pressed front and end-piece in one shot.

  • Density gain

    Pressing increases material density; reduces long-term warping.

  • vs CNC

    Smoother bevels, finer relief, no tool-mark artefacts.

  • Use cases

    Sporty wrap-arounds, bevelled fronts, signature side detailing.

  • Throughput

    Faster and more efficient than CNC sculpting.

Markets · IT · US · JP · KR · EU

Metal-inlay acetate · detail
Technique
Patented · CIC

Metal Inlay, Chain & Stone Lamination.

Stone-lamination process patented — China patent ZL 2016 1 0168786.7 (Wang Daomin). Metal and stone secured without pins, screws or glue.

Metal embellishments, silver chains, or stones laminated directly into the acetate body — top, sides, and all around the rim — secured without any pins, screws or glue. Automated lamination machinery gives flawless, repeatable results, and the metal can be plated for a richer, more colourful product.

  • Method

    Pressed and laminated — chains, plates, stones, foils, micro-text.

  • No fasteners

    Secured without pins, screws or glue. Nothing to loosen.

  • Surface

    No visible bond line, no inclusion bubbles.

  • Consistency

    Defect-free finish, machine-repeatable across runs.

  • Use cases

    Jewellery-grade acetate, hidden brand marks, plated chains.

Markets · EU · selected US

Technique
SILMO 2026 preview

Wrapped Push-Thru Fusion.

Confidential prototype — combined Push-Thru effect inside the wrapped end-piece area.

A new fusion concept: the Push-Thru colour effect rendered inside the Wrapped End-Pc area. Merges sport wrap silhouette with multi-tone editorial colour layering. Already previewed with select US and EU partners under NDA; first public showing at SILMO.

  • Exclusivity

    Net-new construction never seen in market — first-mover advantage for the partner brand.

  • Design upside

    Sport silhouette + editorial colour at the end-piece — new collection territory.

  • Sampling

    Bespoke molds per brand · NDA + sample protocol.

  • Lead time

    Quoted per project — typical 90–120 days first run.

Markets · US · EU · early access

Materials · 04

Four Materials, Run Daily.

Acetate block · raw, honey-tortoise — Heyuan
Materials · 01
01 / 04

Acetate.

Italian and domestic cellulose acetate sheets, multi-layer laminated, CNC milled, hand polished. Raw stock from Eleung, Mazzucchelli, Huayi, Jinyu, and Jimei.

Process · Steps · 6
  1. 01Sheet selectionTwo-week colour-match cycle
  2. 02CNC millingFront · temples · core
  3. 03Wire-core shootingAutomated, in-temple
  4. 04Lamination / Push-ThruTwo- to three-layer; see techniques
  5. 05Hand polishTumble + barrel · 14 days
  6. 06AssemblyHinge, pad-arm, set — 100% inspection
MOQ
300 / SKU · 100 / colour
Lead Time
120 d first · 90–120 d reorder
Combo hinge assembly · 5x macro
Materials · 02
02 / 04

Combination.

Acetate fronts with stainless, monel, or beta-Ti temples. Electroplating, soldering, brazing — all in-house. No subcontract metal work.

Process · Steps · 5
  1. 01Metal formingStainless, monel, beta-Ti
  2. 02ElectroplatingIP coating, in-house chamber
  3. 03Solder & brazeHinge mounting
  4. 04Acetate frontCNC, lamination, polish
  5. 05Marrying & QC100% per-frame check, tracer test
MOQ
300 / SKU
Lead Time
120–150 d first run
Metal frame forming · temple line
Materials · 03
03 / 04

Metal.

Full-metal frames in stainless, monel, and nickel-silver. Forming, electroplating, and IP coating in-house, paired with the same hinge and QC discipline as our acetate lines.

Process · Steps · 5
  1. 01Wire & sheet formingStainless · monel · nickel-silver
  2. 02BrazingBridge, end-piece, hinge
  3. 03ElectroplatingIn-house chamber
  4. 04IP coatingColour & wear finish
  5. 05Assembly & QC100% per-frame check
MOQ
300 / SKU
Lead Time
120–150 d first run
Titanium temple stock · bone ground
Materials · 04
04 / 04

Titanium.

Beta-titanium for the lightest premium frames. Ultralight assembly and IP coating. Gauge, hinge, and weight tuned per technique and model.

Process · Steps · 5
  1. 01Sheet stampingBeta-titanium
  2. 02Laser cut5-axis
  3. 03IP coatingVacuum chamber
  4. 04Spring hingeStandard spring hinge
  5. 05Final assemblyHand-finished, anti-allergen
MOQ
300 / SKU
Lead Time
120–150 d first run

Quality Protocol · Zero-Defect Target

100% per-frame inspection
  • 100%
    Pre-shipment inspection

    Every frame inspected against tracer + bench alignment + surface finish before despatch.

  • 2×20
    Per-SKU sample size

    Two boxes of 20 pieces randomly pulled from each carton for in-line QC.

  • < 0.3%
    Return rate · 7yr partner

    Long-term return rate across an 18-SKU continuous-production partner.

  • 3–4 d
    CAD turnaround · avg

    Average CAD revision delivered to client mailbox in working days.

Cooperation

Bring Us a Frame.

Send a sketch, a Pantone, or a brief. We reply inside three working days with a sample plan, lead times, and a cost breakdown.

Begin a Project →How We Work →
Manufacturing · CIC Eyewear