Cap Construction Guide
Wig cap construction affects the comfort, fit, and natural look of your wig. Lace front, monofilament, hand-tied, and basic cap styles each offer unique features to suit different needs and preferences.
Many manufacturers combine multiple construction methods in a single wig. For example, a premium wig may feature a lace front, monofilament top, and wefted back to balance realism, comfort, and cost. Fully hand-tied caps offer the highest level of realism but are also the most labor-intensive and expensive to produce.
Basic Cap
Hair is sewn in horizontal rows (called wefts) onto the cap. The crown is often machine-teased (permatease) to conceal the wefts and add volume. The open wefting provides better air ventilation. (Other terms are Wefted cap, Machine-made cap, Closed cap, Traditional cap, Standard cap, Classic Cap, and a variation, Open cap/Capless).
Lace Front
A lace front wig has a sheer lace panel extending across the front hairline. Individual hairs are hand-tied into the lace, creating the illusion that hair is growing directly from the scalp. This is especially beneficial if you prefer styling the hair off of your face. The remainder of the cap is usually wefted or monofilament.
Monofilament Crown
Only the crown area is monofilament, giving a realistic appearance where hair naturally changes direction.
Monofilament Part
Only the parting area is made from monofilament mesh. Individual hairs are hand-tied in this section, creating the appearance of a natural scalp while keeping the part fixed in one location.
(Pictured here: Monofilament Part with a Lace Front)
Monofilament Top
The entire top section is constructed from sheer monofilament mesh with individually hand-tied hairs, allowing the hair to be parted in multiple directions while maintaining the appearance of natural scalp.
(Pictured here: Monofilament Top with a Lace Front)
Double Monofilament Top
A double monofilament top has two layers:
The outer monofilament mesh where the hairs are hand-tied and a second, ultra-soft layer underneath that sits against your scalp. This construction is exceptionally comfortable, especially for those who have sensitive skin/scalp. It gives a more realistic scalp appearance because the extra layer diffuses the appearance of knots.
Hand-Tied
Every individual hair is hand-knotted throughout the entire cap giving the movement of natural hair and complete styling flexibility, therefore, the hair can be styled in any direction. The cap is soft and flexible providing superior comfort for sensitive scalps.
(Pictured here: Double Monofilament Top with a 100% Hand-Tied cap)