The 328 P needle (needle system 328) has a pearl point for working coated and synthetic materials as well as synthetic leather. It is used in industrial sewing machines for coated and synthetic materials, where a cutting point would damage the coating. Suitable machine classes are found, among others, at Dürkopp Adler (classes 069, 104, 105, 166), Singer (classes 45, 46, 47, 132) and Textima (classes 200, 211, 221, 223).
Thinner needle sizes are used, among others, for thinner films and light synthetic leather, and the thicker versions for thicker, multi-layer synthetic leather and heavy PVC coatings. As sewing thread, a matching thickness is usually recommended depending on the needle size chosen, e.g. from Amann Rasant or Serafil (polyester); for heavy-duty use, a bonded nylon thread. The pearl point displaces the material's fibres instead of cutting them, protecting the coating.
