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Stephen Ira

SEO Auditor

Expertise:

Hook-and Loop Product Engineering
• Product Innovation
• Mechanical Engineering
Stephen Ira worked as an inventor for a small manufacturing company where he developed several patents that included Velcro® brand products which led to his founding of HookandLoop.com in 1989, distributing Velcro® brand fasteners across the country. Stephen’s company has grown into a business that specializes in manufacturing hook and loop products that are used in the final products in many industries around the world. Stephen is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a BS degree in mechanical engineering and specialized in machine design and solar engineering. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he enjoys an avid outdoor lifestyle and spending time with his two daughters.
10+ Years of Experiences
180+ Articles Written
Organization
The association for Business Journalist

Stephen'S Picks

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Do Stretchy Hook and Loop Products Exist?

AI 2 min read

Updated On: May 25, 2025

There are tons of hook and loop variations available in different styles like low-profile or heavy duty. There are several different colors that we offer from military colors to neon colors and everything in between. There are different widths available from as narrow as 3/8" to 54" wide, depending on the product, but are there stretchy hook and loop options?

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Can you Cut to the Same Length Pieces?

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 21, 2024

Hook and loop is sold separately on 25 yard rolls, but we realize that no one uses it that way. Some people use smaller pieces, some use longer pieces, some use one side only, and some use the same sizes for both sides. This is why we offer our cut to length service for free. Yep, free. F-R-E-E.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Best Ways to Hang Up Wide Loop

AI 2 min read

Updated On: May 25, 2025

Wide loop products, like this VELCRO® Brand wide loop, are fantastic for display panels, pedal boards, shadow boxes, and tons of other useful applications. But what do you do with it once you receive it? Well just as there are several options of wide loop, there are several ways of hanging fabrics like your wide loop.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Customer Questions: Is Your Product in Stock?

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jul 19, 2025

At HookandLoop.com, our product stock features a variety of widths and two different brands, from sew on colors to peel and stick hook and loop in two different adhesive backings, to specialty fasteners like Total Hook, VELCRO® Brand VELSTRETCH®, VELCRO® Brand ONE-WRAP® and more. We have a whole warehouse full of hook and loop product stock that gets turned around on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis depending on how popular the item is.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Stacked rolls of colorful hook and loop fastener material.

Fire Retardant Hook and Loop

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 1, 2026

Fire retardant hook and loop, also known as flame resistant or fireproof adhesive, has a protective coating that slows the burn process so that it meets certain specifications. The testing method our material is subjected to is FAA 25.853.(b).

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Stacked rolls of colorful hook and loop fastener material.

The Difference Between Hook Vs. Loop

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 1, 2026

Before going over the difference between hook and loop, it’s important to note that what most people consider “Velcro” is a product called hook and loop. “Velcro” is a brand, called the Velcro Companies, and they are the original manufacturer of hook and loop fasteners.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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There’s No Such Thing as a Velcro Strap

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Feb 9, 2025

“Velcro” is actually a brand, not a product! The product is called hook and loop fasteners and we manufacture hundreds of thousands of straps annually with hook and loop. We make these straps with our DuraGrip Brand hook and loop as well as with VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners. So technically, the proper way to describe “Velcro straps” would be “Hook and Loop Straps made with VELCRO® Brand Fasteners”. Now lets strap in.
Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

Low Profile Hook and Loop Products

AI 2 min read

Updated On: Jun 1, 2026

Low profile hook and loop is something we get requests for fairly often. The Velcro Companies sell a consumer product known as Industrial Strength hook and loop that uses the standard Loop 100 fastener with a low-profile molded HTH hook. While we don’t offer that exact hook style, we do carry some comparable hook fasteners.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

Hook and Loop Color Options

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 1, 2026

Color options are always a popular topic here amongst our customers. Black is far and away the most popular color, but we offer 25 different color options among all of our products for a variety of needs and applications and it’s time we review those color options for you.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
Yellow and black hook and loop fastener strap peeling apart.

"Do You Send Samples?"

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 1, 2026

Every day we take phone calls and answer emails from customers trying to find the right product for their application. Sometimes we suggest sending samples to the customer in order to test out the products we have available and to see which one works the best for them.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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Strap Options For Businesses

AI 3 min read

Updated On: Jun 21, 2024

All of the strap options we have available online are only a fraction of what we can do. Every part of our strap manufacturing process is fully customizable and we can provide a quote usually in the same day. We offer custom tip styles, colors, and lengths as well as sewn straps, grommets, and more.

Stephen Ira
by: Stephen Ira
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