Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Coloured metal buttons have a metal base coated with a coloured lacquer or with several layers that create an effect: pearl metallic, glitter, marble, splatter or patina. The button keeps the weight and shape of metal but gets a colour that electroplating cannot give – for example petrol green, purple or blue patina. In the Polkom colour chart these finishes are grouped in series P – 42 codes.
How lacquer and effect finishes are made
The button base is first cleaned and prepared. Then a coloured layer is applied – a solid lacquer, a metallic with fine pigments, or a base onto which an effect is added: splatter, rubbed-in gold, patina in the recesses. Finally, most effects are protected with a clear lacquer. That is why relief models and engraved buttons gain the most: the colour stays in the depths while the raised parts stand out.
Enamel is a related but different method: a coloured compound fills recessed fields of the piece, separated by metal edges. It is used most often on metal logo plates and badges. A lacquer finish covers the whole button and gives more freedom for effects.
The groups in series P
| Group | What it looks like | Example codes | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black and white | solid gloss, matt or textured surface | PK-P01, PK-P02, PK-P03, PK-P04, PK-P07 | classics, uniforms, shirts, white and ecru collections |
| Pearl metallic and glitter | fine sheen, pearl effect, tiny sparkles | PK-P09, PK-P11, PK-P13, PK-P16, PK-P25 | eveningwear and womenswear, knitwear, childrenswear |
| Brushed lacquers | colour with parallel lines | PK-P14, PK-P31, PK-P38, PK-P39, PK-P40 | outerwear, bags, sports styles |
| Patina | green, blue or turquoise patina, like old bronze | PK-P15, PK-P22, PK-P35, PK-P36 | boho, vintage, handcrafted collections |
| Splatter, speckle and marble | a unique pattern on every button | PK-P10, PK-P24, PK-P27, PK-P28, PK-P29 | designer pieces, capsule collections |
| Antique and metallic in earth tones | olive, brown, bronze, gunmetal | PK-P17, PK-P21, PK-P23, PK-P30, PK-P34 | heritage, menswear, autumn-winter collections |
Black, white and textured lacquers
The most requested lacquer codes are actually the simplest. Gloss black (PK-P01) and matt black (PK-P02) give a classic black button with the weight of metal – for uniforms, coats and blazers. The textured lacquers – textured matt black (PK-P03), textured white (PK-P05) and textured ivory (PK-P07) – have a fine grainy surface that hides fingerprints and small signs of wear. Gloss white (PK-P04) and ivory suit shirts, summer dresses and white collections, where silver or gold metal would look too cold or too bright.
Pearl metallic and glitter
Lilac pearl metallic (PK-P09) and taupe metallic (PK-P13) have a soft sheen that changes with the angle. They work well on jersey, velvet and wool fabrics in a similar tone. White pearl glitter (PK-P25) suits bridal and eveningwear, while brushed petrol green (PK-P14) shows how a brushed texture can be coloured, not just silver.
Patina, marble and splatter
Copper with green patina (PK-P15) and blue patina (PK-P35) recall old bronze objects. They look best on relief models, where the patina stays in the recesses. Red and gold marble (PK-P28) and the black, red and yellow splatter (PK-P10) are bold accents for designer pieces.
Every button is slightly different
With marble, splatter and patina, the pattern forms during application and is never repeated exactly. Two buttons from one batch will share the same character and tone but will not be identical. This is part of the charm of the effect, and it is worth explaining to your customers too, for example in the product description.
How long a coloured finish lasts
A lacquer finish is a layer on top of the metal, so it behaves differently from the electroplated finishes in series G and M:
- Impacts. With a hard knock the lacquer can chip, especially on sharp edges. Models with rounded edges hold up better.
- Machine washing. The buttons knock against the drum. Wash the garment inside out or in a bag, at a moderate temperature.
- Dry cleaning. Some solvents can soften the lacquer. If the garment will be dry cleaned, test a sample or choose a finish from series G or M.
- Ironing. Don't iron directly over the button. Use a cloth or iron around it.
- Garment dyeing. If the garment is dyed after the buttons are attached, the lacquer may absorb some of the dye. A test is essential.
For workwear and garments that are washed frequently and intensively, metal finishes are the safer choice. Coloured lacquers are best suited to fashion garments, coats, knitwear and accessories.
How to bring a coloured button into the collection
- Tone on tone. Choose a lacquer in the colour of the fabric, for example petrol green on dark green wool. The button looks refined and the metal shape shows.
- Contrast. White glitter on navy or marble on black draws attention – suitable for one or two accents, not for the whole garment.
- Link to the print. Take a colour from the fabric's pattern and repeat it in the button.
- Coordinate with other metal parts. If the garment also has snap buttons or a buckle, choose a metal tone for them that suits the effect – for example antique bronze with patina.
A colour outside the chart
If you are looking for a tone not in series P, send us a fabric sample or a Pantone reference. We will check whether the colour can be achieved on the chosen model. Lacquer finishes cover the metal completely, so the chart shows them in one version, without separating brass and zinc alloy.
All Polkom metal finishes, including the base under the lacquer and effect finishes, are nickel free.
Coloured metal buttons from the manufacturer
Polkom is a manufacturer of metal buttons and accessories with over 30 years of experience, offering custom logos and designs and fast samples. Browse the metal buttons, choose codes from the colours and finishes and write to us via the contact page.
