The characteristical SCHMETZ Color Marking

SCHMETZ household sewing machine needles feature a colour-coded shoulder marking that makes it easy to identify both the needle type and size at a glance. The first colour denotes the needle type, while the second indicates the size.

Once a needle is taken out of its packaging, telling needle types apart can be tricky. The size is stamped onto the shank, but the imprint is very small. To address this, SCHMETZ introduced a colour marking system directly on the needle, allowing clear identification even without the original packaging. The system uses eleven distinct, easy-to-distinguish colours.

The Universal Needle carries just a single colour mark indicating its size.

The Hemstitch Needle is recognisable by the two characteristic wings on either side of the blade, and is available in sizes NM 100/16 and NM 120/19.

The Double Eye Needle — with its twin eyes — and the Quick Threading Needle — identifiable by the small slot beside the eye — are both straightforward to distinguish by sight.

Needles that closely resemble the Universal Needle carry two colour marks: the lower colour again represents the size, while the upper colour identifies the needle type.

Needle type and size information is also printed on all SCHMETZ sewing needle packaging.