Almost every artificial Christmas tree is made of two kinds of tip: molded PE and cut PVC. The ratio between them sets most of what a shopper notices, and most of what you pay. Here is how to specify it.
The short answer
- PE tips are injection-molded. They look and feel like real needles, even up close, and cost more per tip.
- PVC tips are cut from film. They are flat, even and dense, and cost less per tip.
- Most mid-range trees mix the two: PE on the outside where shoppers look and touch, PVC inside to add fullness.
- The PE share is your main price lever. Specify it as a percentage of tips, for example 50% PE.
How PE tips are made
PE (polyethylene) tips are injection-molded. Each mold shapes a whole cluster of needles with taper and texture, so the tip reads as the end of a real branch. Because every style needs its own mold, the range of shapes depends on the factory: we hold more than 200 PE tip molds, from short, dense spruce tips to long, soft pine.
PE tips hold their shape well after months folded in a carton, and they take flocking and frosting.
How PVC tips are made
PVC tips are cut from thin film into strips, then twisted onto wire. The needles are flat and uniform. Because they are cheaper to make and pack densely, PVC is the quickest way to make a tree look full from a few steps away.
On their own, PVC tips suit opening price points and high-volume programs. Inside a mixed tree, they fill the gaps behind the PE tips.
Side by side
| Feature | PE tips | PVC tips |
|---|---|---|
| How they are made | Injection-molded clusters | Cut from film, twisted onto wire |
| Up close | Reads as real needles | Flat, even needles |
| From a distance | Natural, varied | Full and uniform |
| Cost per tip | Higher | Lower |
| Typical use | Outer layer, premium trees | Inner fill, value trees |
| Flocking | Yes | Yes |
Choosing a PE share
Think of the PE share as the dial between price and realism. A common pattern across retail ranges:
- Opening price: 100% PVC. Full and even, lowest cost per foot.
- Mid-range: a PE and PVC mix, with the PE on the outer layer. This is our highest-volume line.
- Premium and display: a high PE share, up to 100% PE, for trees that sell on close inspection.
Two trees can have the same height and tip count and still look very different, because a PE tip covers more space than a PVC tip. Compare quotes at the same PE share, or ask for the share in both quotes. Our guide to tip count covers the other specs to check.
What to put in your brief
- Heights you want, in feet or centimeters.
- Target retail price or landed cost for each height.
- PE share, or ask us to propose one for your price.
- Tip style: send a photo of a tree you like, and we match it to our molds.
- Lights: unlit, or the bulb count, color and plug for your market.
If you are unsure between two PE shares, ask for a sample at each. Seeing them side by side settles the question faster than any spec sheet.
Questions buyers ask
Is PE always better than PVC?
No. PE looks more natural up close, but PVC makes a full, even tree at a lower price. Most good trees use both.
Can a PE tree be flocked?
Yes. We flock PE, PVC and mixed trees on our own flocking line, in a standard or a light weight.
Can you match a tree we already sell?
Yes. Send the tree or photos with its specification, and we make a counter-sample for you to compare.