A method is disclosed for manufacturing slide fasteners from a single homogeneous elongate stringer chain (F) or a stringer chain (F) comprising a plurality of interconnected stringer chains of different characteristics having first standard element-devoid space portions (S1). The method comprises marking the stringer chain (F) at spaced apart locations by providing second element-devoid space portions (S2) greater in length than the first standard space portions (S1) and detecting the second space portions (S2) to trigger operation of respective operative units in the manufacturing apparatus. <IMAGE>
