Are Promade and Premade Fans the Same?

Created: 04/27/2025Updated: 05/17/2025

Discover if Promade and Premade Fans are the same in the lash industry. A complete guide comparing benefits, differences, and how to choose the right lash fans.

Promade and premade fans are two game-changers in the world of volume lash extensions—but they are far from identical. Understanding their differences is crucial for lash artists aiming to deliver either bespoke, textured looks or fast, uniform sets. In this guide, we'll break down how promade and premade fans differ in design, handling, and performance so you can confidently choose the best fit for your artistry and business goals.

New to lash fans or want a full breakdown of types, curls, stems, and application techniques? Explore our Ultimate Guide to Premade Lash Fans here to build a strong foundation.

Introduction to Lash Fans: Promade vs. Premade

Promade and Premade Fans dramatically transform the workflow of lash artists by streamlining the volume lash extension process.

If you're navigating through lash extension solutions, understanding the differences and advantages of each fan type is crucial.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what these lash fans are, how they differ, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose between them based on your needs. Let’s dive right in!

What Are Lash Fans?

In the world of eyelash extensions, "lash fans" refer to a group of synthetic lashes bonded together at the base, which are designed to be attached to a natural lash, creating a fuller, voluminous look.

Fans vary in their dimensions, curl type, and volume directly affecting the lash style outcome.

Typically, they range from 2D to 14D, where each "D" represents the number of lashes in one fan.

Using lash fans significantly cuts down on appointment time compared to handmade volume fans created on the spot.

With lash fans, artists can maintain consistency and boost efficiency, especially crucial in high-volume salons.

Overview of Promade Fans

Promade fans, sometimes referred to as "pro-made" or "handmade premade" fans, are produced by skilled technicians who create them manually before packaging them for easy use.

These fans are primarily heat-bonded at the base, producing an ultra-thin connection point that mimics the delicate and feathery appearance of fully handmade fans.

One of the distinctive advantages of promade fans is customization.

They often display a wispy, organic texture perfect for achieving bespoke lash sets.

Because they're handmade, they allow lash artists to choose from narrow to wide fans, adding creative freedom to each application.

Overview of Premade Fans

Premade Fans are manufactured predominantly by machines to create uniform and consistent lash fans that come attached directly onto a strip within trays.

These fans are typically bonded using a small amount of heat or adhesive at the base.

They are the epitome of speed and systemization in the lash business perfect for lash artists aiming for a standardized, swift workflow.

Premade fans ensure symmetrical lash sets with minimal effort, making them highly attractive for beginners and busy salons alike.

Understanding Promade and Premade Fans

Main Differences Between Promade and Premade Fans

Promade and Premade Fans serve a similar purpose efficient volume lash applications but they vary extensively in terms of structure, feel, and application experience.

Shape and Consistency

While premade fans boast a rigid, uniform structure, promade fans tend to feature a slightly more open and airy silhouette.

Premades produce almost identical lash sets every time, while promades provide a bespoke, varied texture reminiscent of classic handmade fans.

This characteristic is crucial when you want either hyper-consistency or a natural flutter.

Material and Construction

Both Promade and Premade Fans use PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) fiber for resilience and softness.

However, the way these fibers are aligned and bonded differs.

Premades may have thicker bases due to adhesive use, causing slightly more bulk on the lash line.

Promades, being heat-bonded, achieve an almost seamless, thin connection, making it lighter and more flexible.

Manufacturing Process (Handmade vs. Machine-made)

Premade fans are mass-produced mechanically, guaranteeing identical results across trays.

In contrast, promade fans are hand-crafted, allowing slight artistic variations.

Understanding this distinction is vital for lash artists considering whether to prioritize customization (promade) or speed and predictability (premade).

Application Methods in Eyelash Extensions

The lash extension workflow with Promade and Premade Fans involves key steps: picking the fan, dipping it into adhesive, and placing it carefully on the natural lash.

Premade fans often save significant time because they’re already firmly affixed to the strip, ready for pickup.

Promades require a more delicate touch and careful handling, as they are loose in the tray and more delicate.

For salons aiming to optimize salon lash service options, premade fans streamline procedures for predictable results, while promades cater to bespoke styling needs.

Types of Lash Fans Beyond Promade and Premade

Handmade Fans Explained

Handmade fans remain the gold standard in customized lash artistry.

Lash artists create them during application, adjusting fan width, closure, and direction based on the client's eyes.

This technique demands excellent control and experience yet continues to be ideal for tailored results unmatched by any premade options.

Choosing handmade fans fits perfectly under the "best result no matter the time" philosophy, but it requires a solid grasp of lash extension techniques.

Heat Bonded Lash Fans vs. Glue Bonded Lash Fans

Heat bonded lash fans use thermal fusion rather than adhesives to join the lash bases, creating lighter, more flexible connections.

On the other hand, glue bonded lash fans depend on a minimal amount of adhesive at the base, resulting in a sturdier bond but occasionally a bulkier feeling.

When considering retention and comfort for clients, heat bonded lash fans often outperform glue bonded ones, offering better adaptability to lash line movements.

Which Fan Type is Best for Your Lash Studio?

Selecting the fan type for your lash studio boils down to business goals: efficiency or personalization.

High-turnover salons may benefit from premade fans to save time per client.

Meanwhile, boutiques focusing on bespoke styling and premium pricing may find promade fans more suitable for offering customized, high-end looks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Promade and Premade Fans

Benefits of Using Promade Fans

Promade Fans offer near-limitless custom styling capacity, feather-light bases, and a delicate finish approximating handmade sets.

They’re a bridge for artists seeking handmade quality without sacrificing appointment duration.

When aiming for unique or wispy lash designs, knowing when to use promade fans becomes an essential skill.

Benefits of Using Premade Fans

Premade Fans slash application time significantly, allow for strict quality control in set uniformity, and are exceptionally beginner-friendly.

Their presence has democratized volume lashes, enabling newer artists to perform standardized enhancements confidently.

These factors contribute to premade fans being one of the best options when exploring salon lash service options.

Limitations of Each Type

Promade fans can be time-consuming to pick up if loosely packed and require more careful handling.

Premade fans might feel slightly heavier on natural lashes and portray a less organic outcome.

Both types still encounter trade-offs: pros and cons of promade fans include artisanal looks versus pickup clumsiness, while premades risk uniformity-over-naturalness concerns.

How to Choose Between Promade and Premade Fans

Factors to Consider: Skill Level, Time, Client Expectations

Choosing Promade vs. Premade hinges on multiple factors.

Newer artists, looking for speed and repeatable results, often embrace premade fans.

Advanced artists may gravitate towards promades for added texture and natural finishes that captivate discerning clients.

Time constraints, volume expectations, and client's stylistic preferences lead this important decision.

Cost Comparison Between Promade and Premade Fans

Financially, promade fans tend to be slightly cheaper per bundle because they're not machine-packed perfectly.

However, factoring in pickup time and how densely packed trays are, costs can balance out.

Premades usually guarantee faster workflow but higher up-front tray costs.

Budget-conscious lash studios must weigh these nuances carefully to optimize profitability.

Lash Retention and Client Satisfaction

In lash retention studies, promade fans have slightly outshined premade ones due to finer bases offering better glue encapsulation on natural lashes.

Yet, both types can achieve > 90% retention success rates with correct application.

Ultimately, the impact on client loyalty depends more on application technique than merely the fan type.

Visual Guide: Spotting the Difference Between Promade and Premade

Visual Characteristics of Promade Fans

Promades appear softer, more organic, and their heat-sealed thin bases blend invisibly into the lash line — a signature artisan touch.

How Premade Fans Look on Natural Lashes

Premades display a slightly more rigid, defined symmetrical gathering, creating dense lashlines that scream perfection but may lack some natural flair.

Infographic: Promade vs. Premade Comparison

Feature	Promade Fans	Premade Fans
Method	Handmade	Machine-Made
Appearance	Natural, Wispy	Uniform, Dense
Handling	Requires Care	Easy Pickup
Base Profile	Ultra-thin, Seamless	Slightly Thicker
Ideal For	Customized Lash Looks	Fast Volume Set

FAQ: Common Questions About Lash Fans

Are promade fans better for volume lashes?

Yes, promade fans beautifully mimic handmade fans with flexibility and can achieve gorgeous volume sets especially wispy, textured styles.

Do premade fans last as long as handmade fans?

Not exactly. Handmade or promade fans tend to integrate better into natural lash lines due to thinner bases. However, premades still provide excellent retention when skillfully applied.

Is it easier to apply promade or premade lash fans?

Premade fans are easier for quick pick-and-place volume creations, making them ideal for beginners and high-volume schedules.

Can I mix different types of lash fans in one set?

Absolutely! Many advanced lash artists blend promade and premade fans within the same set to balance texture, dimension, and application time effectively.

Conclusion: Which Lash Fans Are Right for You?

In the eternal debate between Promade and Premade Fans, there’s no universal winner only the best tool for your artistry and business model requirements. Promade fans shine when customization, texture, and naturalness are required.

Premades dominate where speed, uniformity, and operational efficiency matter. Take the time to evaluate your salon’s goals, the skill set of your lash technicians, and your clients’ aspirations. Whether you lean towards one or masterfully use both, leveraging lash fans well is the hallmark of an exceptional lash artist.

**Rockie Ng** is a certified lash artist and the founder of **Napricot**, a brand specializing in high-quality premade lash fans. With over 6 years of hands-on experience in the lash extension industry, she has worked with thousands of lash artists worldwide to improve application techniques, retention, and styling outcomes.

Rockie is passionate about bridging the gap between product quality and lash education. Through Napricot, she actively shares insights on lash trends, technical guidance, and product innovations to help lash professionals deliver better results — faster and safer. Follow: [@napricotbeauty on Instagram](https://instagram.com/napricotex01)