Lens choice moves your cost per unit more than almost anything else after the frame. Here is the short version of what each option is for.
TAC (triacetate cellulose)
The standard lens for volume fashion sunglasses. Light, low cost and available with polarised film. Excellent for opening price points; scratches more easily than glass.
Polycarbonate
Impact-resistant and light — the lens you want when safety matters (kids, sport, promotional). Often paired with UV400 treatment.
Glass
The optical quality choice: scratch resistance and clarity that plastic cannot match. Heavier and more expensive, so it belongs on step-up models.
Polarised: yes or no?
Polarisation cuts glare off water, roads and snow, which is exactly what repeat customers notice. It typically adds a step-up tier to your range, and it is one of the easiest upsells in sunglasses retail.
Tint categories
- Category 1–2: fashion and low light
- Category 3: general purpose — the volume seller
- Category 4: high-mountain, snow and marine (not legal for driving in most markets)
A practical range: 60–70% of volume in TAC category 3, a step-up polarised tier, and a small premium glass selection. See materials guide for detail, or ask for a lens specification sheet.