Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Engraved wooden buttons, as well as corozo, coconut and bone buttons, receive their logo from a laser that scorches the surface and leaves a warm brown to dark outline without any paint. Each natural material reacts differently: corozo gives the clearest and most even contrast, wood a soft smoked effect, coconut a discreet dark mark and bone a classic brown engraving.
Why natural materials are well suited to engraving
On plastics and metals the logo is often highlighted with colour or a finish. With natural materials this is not necessary: the laser creates the contrast itself by caramelising the organic matter on the surface. The result looks as if the mark had always been part of the button – no glossy layer, no ink. That is why engraved natural buttons are a favourite choice for brands that focus on sustainability, a crafted look and an ecological message.
Engraved wooden buttons
Wood is the most widely used natural material for branded buttons. Engraving produces an outline ranging from light brown to almost black, depending on the type of wood and the laser settings.
- Light woods (beech, maple) give the strongest contrast and the logo can be read from a distance.
- Dark woods (walnut, rosewood) allow a more discreet, tone-on-tone mark.
- The direction of the grain affects the edge of the engraving – with very fine detail the lines may follow the grain.
Wood is a porous material, so the lines of the logo should be slightly thicker than on dense materials. You will find details of the styles in the category wooden buttons.
Engraved corozo buttons
Corozo – a material made from the nut of the tagua palm – is dense, hard and even. This makes it perhaps the best natural material for laser engraving. The logo is sharp, with clean edges, and even small text remains legible. Corozo can be dyed in many colours, and engraving on a dyed button reveals the natural light tone beneath the dye, which gives an interesting two-tone effect. Like all Polkom products, corozo buttons are available with OEKO-TEX® certification. Find out more about the material in corozo buttons.
Engraved coconut buttons
Coconut shell is dark by nature, so engraving on it is dark on dark – discreet and visible mainly at an angle. This effect is popular for linen shirts, summer garments and ethnic-inspired collections, where the logo should not shout. Simpler marks and a larger size are recommended for coconut.
Engraved bone buttons
Bone has a dense, smooth surface and a light tone. The engraving is brown and classic. The grooves are often filled with colour – black, brown or navy – for even clearer contrast. Bone buttons with a logo are used for shirts, waistcoats and jackets with a vintage character.
Comparison of natural materials
| Material | Contrast | Fine detail | Suitable garments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corozo | high | very good | shirts, jackets, coats, knitwear |
| Light wood | high | good | childrenswear, knitwear, casual wear |
| Dark wood | low to medium | medium | coats, cardigans, jackets |
| Coconut | low | medium | linen shirts, summer collections |
| Bone | medium to high | good | shirts, waistcoats, jackets |
Other natural materials
Besides the four main materials, laser engraving is also done on horn, mother-of-pearl and leather. Natural horn gives an engraving similar to bone, but on a dark, veined background, so the logo is more discreet. Mother-of-pearl is fragile and has an iridescent lustre – the engraving is light and matte, suitable for small marks on shirts. Leather buttons and leather patches can also be engraved, but the result depends heavily on the tanning and the colour of the leather. A sample is essential for each of these materials, because their behaviour under the laser varies more than that of wood and corozo.
Natural variation – an advantage, not a defect
Every natural button has a unique pattern, tone and density. That is why the engraving on two buttons from the same batch may look slightly different – one a little darker, the other with a more visible grain. This is part of the character of the material and is usually perceived as a sign of authenticity. If it is critical for you that all buttons are absolutely identical, polyester or metal styles are a better choice.
Caring for engraved natural buttons
- Wash at low to medium temperature; prolonged soaking is not recommended, especially for wood.
- Avoid aggressive bleaches – they can lighten the material and reduce the contrast of the logo.
- When ironing, do not press the iron directly onto the buttons.
- Wooden buttons sometimes have a lacquer coating – specify whether you want engraving before or after lacquering.
Tips for ordering
Send the logo as a vector file, state the material and size and, if possible, a sample of the fabric. If you are torn between two materials, ask for samples of both with the engraved logo – the difference in contrast is best judged in person. For wood and coconut, plan a larger logo size than for corozo. Also consider how the button sits against the fabric: light corozo with a dark engraving stands out on dark fabric, while dark wood with a tone-on-tone logo suits calm, earthy palettes better.
Polkom – engraving on natural materials
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, with over 30 years of experience. We engrave logos on corozo, wood, coconut, bone and other materials and produce samples for approval before series production. See engraved buttons and send an inquiry with your logo and chosen material.
