Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Leather-covered buttons are made by stretching thin, soft genuine, faux or suede leather over a metal or plastic shell and locking it with the back under a press. They are suitable for coats, jackets, blazers, bags and furniture, when the button must match the leather details or create a warm contrast with the textile. They work best in larger sizes and with a flatter profile.
Why choose leather-covered buttons
- Unity with the product – the button is made of the same leather as the collar, cuffs, pockets or the whole garment.
- Contrast – a leather button on a wool coat or tweed jacket is a classic combination.
- A sense of quality – leather is warm to the touch and ages well.
- Flexibility – different colours, prints, perforation and embossed patterns are possible.
Types of leather for covering buttons
Smooth genuine leather
Thin nappa or lambskin is the most suitable – soft, supple and of even thickness. Thick cowhide is hard to bend around the shell, so it is either skived or used for larger sizes.
Suede and nubuck
The matte surface gives a warm, soft look. Suede covers well but picks up dirt more easily, so it is suitable for outerwear and accessories rather than for areas of greatest friction.
Faux (eco) leather
Polyurethane and PVC materials cover easily, have a constant thickness and a wide range of colours. This is a suitable choice for vegan collections and for furniture. Watch the quality of the coating – cheap faux leather can crack at the edge of the button, where it is stretched most.
Patterned or printed leather
Leather with a crocodile or snake emboss or with perforation gives a decorative effect. The pattern must be fine enough to show on a small button.
Size and profile for leather-covered buttons
| Leather thickness | Recommended minimum size | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Very thin (up to about 0.6 mm) | 20L (about 13 mm) | half-dome or flat |
| Thin to medium (about 0.6–0.9 mm) | 24L–28L (15–18 mm) | flat or low dome |
| Thicker (over about 0.9 mm) | 32L (20 mm) and up | flat |
The values are approximate. Besides thickness, suppleness also matters – soft lambskin covers more easily than stiff leather of the same thickness. The surest approach is to make a trial button.
Where leather-covered buttons are used
- Coats and jackets – leather buttons in the tone of leather collars, elbow patches and flaps.
- Blazers and waistcoats – classic combinations with tweed, corduroy and wool.
- Leather garments – the button is made of the same leather as the product.
- Bags and accessories – fastening with a loop or a decorative accent.
- Furniture – buttoning (tufting) of Chesterfield-style leather sofas and armchairs.
- Shoes and boots – decorative buttons on the side edge.
Production specifics
Leather does not stretch like textile and does not forgive mistakes. So when covering with leather:
- The circle is cut with a more precisely calculated diameter, because excess leather forms hard folds under the back.
- With thicker leather the edge of the circle is skived so it can be tucked in.
- The press pressure is adjusted carefully – too much pressure cracks the grain at the edge.
- The choice of back takes the greater load into account – heavy coats need a strong shank.
- With light and thin leathers, check that the shell does not show through.
Colours and shade matching
Genuine leather varies in shade between individual hides and even within one hide. If the buttons must match leather details on the garment, cut them from the same hide or at least the same batch. With faux leather the shade is more consistent, but it can also vary between production batches of the material.
Caring for leather buttons
Buttons covered with genuine leather must not be machine washed. Garments with such buttons are dry-cleaned by a specialist leather cleaner, or the buttons are removed. Faux leather tolerates wiping with a damp cloth, but high temperatures and solvents can damage it. If the garment is washable but the buttons are not, consider removable buttons with a split pin or a separate care label that clearly states this.
Leather-covered buttons and matching other details
If the product has other leather elements – a waistband label, a patch, piping – the buttons should be from the same batch of leather. This way there is no difference in shade or texture. Leather labels with a logo are described in detail under leather labels, and materials and accessories for leather goods under footwear and leather.
Frequently asked questions when ordering
- Can I send my own leather? Yes – this is the best way to achieve a perfect match.
- How much leather is needed? It depends on the size and number of buttons; leather has unusable areas and defects, so it is sent with a larger allowance than textile.
- Can the leather carry a logo? It is possible to mark the leather by hot stamping or laser before covering, with the logo centred in the circle.
You will find all the base and profile options in the fabric-covered buttons category.
Leather-covered buttons from Polkom
Polkom makes covered buttons to order and wholesale with genuine and faux leather – with the customer's material or one selected by us. We work with manufacturers of clothing, leather goods and furniture, make trial buttons quickly and deliver across the EU. Send a piece of leather and a description of the product via the contact page.
