Why can’t I get ribbon in my Tartan? 

There are around 10 000 tartan designs out there (registered & un-registered). Getting ribbon to match each of those has been a frustrating problem for years.

My tartan is well known, why’s mine not available?

Unfortunately, traditional tartan ribbon has only ever been held in stock (inventory) in less than 50 of the best-selling patterns. This has been lucky for the very few. With none available for the 9,500 other tartans.

The tartan industry has tried to help − cutting & sewing lightweight wool fabric into short lengths called Wool Tartan Ribbon Strips. There are 500 tartans available like this. And if wool fabric cut across the pattern width worked for you this was a solution. Albeit always subject to colourway availability in the version you were matching to e.g. Modern, Ancient, Hunting, Weathered and so on.

YOUR SEARCH IS OVER! (Scroll DOWN to see Products)

Custom made-to-order ribbon is now available on 10m rolls in a beautiful Sateen Polyester. Made to Order in Scotland to match ANY tartan you specify. Including any Modern, Ancient, Hunting, Muted or Weathered, Dress or any personal tartan variant. If you can't find your exact tartan on the '700 Stocklist Tartans', just select 'Custom Matched'  ribbon and type in the tartan you want or email us.

 This is the Tartan Ribbon solution for everyone who must have THE RIGHT THING.

This product was developed for consumers to match everyday tartans used for weddings, events, invitations, trimmings & tributes. Every tartan design is miniaturised onto satin-faced polyester ribbon to achieve best match and representation. This is made to order and there is nothing comparable we are aware of. The ribbon has a lustrous feel, supple, washable, colour-fast, and dry-cleanable. [Also available: matching polyester silk-effect tartans and other polyester fabrics when wool is not available or wool allergy is a factor.]

 I need 4 different ribbon widths, but don’t want to pay for a roll in each width.

See ‘Tartan Ribbon, ASSORTED WIDTH Pack’ assorted across 4 widths.  Each ‘mini-production’ batch consists of 22 PRE-CUT lengths of .98m (38.5in). This is an assortment of 4 common widths from 15mm (5/8in) to 50mm (2in) wide. Total Metres in one Asstd. Pack 21m (22 yd). One pack more than equivalent to 2 x regular 10m rolls. Allow 4-6 weeks for production. 

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1 x Assorted Width Ribbon Pack Contains:   [Pack Total = approx 21 m, 22 yds.]

10 x lengths 15mm x .98 (5/8th in x 38.5in) 
6 x lengths 23mm x .98 (1 in x 38.5in) 
4 x lengths 38mm x .98 (1 1/2inch in x 38.5in) 
2 x lengths 50mm x .98 (2 inch x 38.5in)

 Important Note on Tartan Copyright:

 Please be aware Ribbon orders will not be accepted for tartans for which copyright restrictions exist, unless you are the designer or have permission from the designer.

 If the tartan you’re matching to is restricted in some way, and after asking, is NOT available as ribbon from the purveyor of the design, we will be glad to create you some ribbon to complement your tartan for your special event. Such ribbon will convey enough of the sense of your tartan’s pattern and colour, but in the absence of design owner's permission, its layout will never be permitted to infringe any owner’s design copyright.  As a rule we find most weavers who haven't made ribbon available in their tartans to be amenable for the customer's sake.

 IMPORTANT NOTE:  on ordering tartan ribbon online form elsewhere:

 If you are ordering ribbon from further afield, please check what you’re actually getting will have tartan on BOTH sides!   We’ve heard stories from buyers who’ve come to us with last-minute rush-jobs after receiving one-sided ribbon from abroad. The Scottish-Made ribbon has TARTAN ON BOTH SIDES on a top-quality sateen ribbon. 

(Scroll down to see PRODUCTS)

 A word about colour, miniaturising Tartan Designs for Ribbon.

Kilt tartan patterns are usually about 6 or 7 inches square. (160 mm). While ribbon is only between 5/8th inch and 2 inches wide (15mm - 50mm). In reducing the scale of a tartan by up to 600%, sections of its pattern (sett) can become indistinct. This is because adjacent colours or areas merge and become too dark. Or pattern repeats become so small they become meaningless smudges, and can no longer convey any sense of the tartan the ribbon is being built from.

This problem is common in predominantly dark green and navy or navy and black patterns. Muted greys and browns pose challenges too. And for example, when two red threads, which were never prominent even at original size, simply disappear into a darker surround when miniaturised. Sometimes this has to be compensated for.