Megahome is developing self-adhesive bra cups in various colors such as red, pink and black.

Companies focus on colorful designs and shorter lead times to accommodate increasing orders.

Even as traditional brassieres continue to dominate output, China makers of women's undergarments are devoting a bigger portion of output to self-adhesive bra cups, or posts. This comes as a response to growing demand for underwear that provides ample support while staying "invisible."

Models are usually made of silicone and have a hypoallergenic adhesive to mold onto the wearer's skin, offering lift and contour like conventional bras. These have transparent TPU front closures and no shoulder straps, making them suitable to be worn under revealing tops with an open back or low-cut neckline.

The silicone cups have skin-friendly adhesive backing. Products are washable and reusable for up to 100 times.

Suppliers are expecting shipments of self-adhesive bra cups to improve in the next 12 months. Most of them are planning to strengthen productivity to accommodate the anticipated increase in orders.

Makers are now investing in design software, including CAD and Adobe Photoshop. They are also hiring additional R&D personnel to be able to turn out more models monthly and shorten sampling time.

Among the suppliers interviewed, Kaixi International (HK) Co. Ltd is focusing on comfortable and skin-friendly models. Materials sourced domestically and from the US are tested by SGS prior to production.

The company's 10-member R&D team uses CAD software in creating new designs.

Specializing in undergarments, Kaixi owns 300 sewing machines from Taiwan, Japan and Germany. Production follows ISO 9001:2000 guidelines.

At Shenzhen Shizu Technology Ltd Co., posts currently make up 20 percent of exports. The company focuses on low-end and midrange models, procuring silicone and TPU from Guangdong province, Taiwan and the US.

Products are tested against the AQL 2.0 standard.

Shenzhen Shizu is developing bra cups in various colors, aside from the traditional black and nude hues. The company is planning to hire one more designer to shorten sampling time.

Offering midrange and high-end models, Wenzhou Bonlife Industry Co. Ltd exports mainly to the US. Materials are sourced from Guangdong and the US.

The company is ISO 9001:2000-certified.

Wenzhou Bonlife is hiring additional designers to cut down sampling time from 10 days to five.

At Megahome Plastic and Rubber Products Co. Ltd, new designs are developed using software such as CAD and Adobe Photoshop. The recent releases come in pink, yellow and red.

The company sources silicone from Guangdong.

At Shenzhen Diya Silicon Gel Product Fty, self-adhesive bra cups were among the best-selling underwear designs in 2007.

The company is hiring additional R&D personnel to come up with colorful and comfortable models.