Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Metal jeans buttons are not sewn on but attached with a press: a top cap with a hollow post is fixed to the fabric with a tack that passes from the inside outwards through the denim. The most widely used sizes are 17 mm and 20 mm, and the choice depends on the weight of the denim, the style of the garment and whether the button should swivel. Below you will find the types, the sizes and a practical ordering checklist.
How a metal jeans button is constructed
The classic jeans button has two parts. The upper part is the visible cap with a post (stem) into which the tack goes. The lower part is the tack itself – a round base with a sharp pin that pierces the fabric from the inside, enters the post and is flattened under the press. This produces a permanent connection that withstands pulling far better than a sewn-on button.
This construction explains why jeans buttons are placed at the most stressed point of the trousers – the waistband closure. There a sewn-on button quickly loosens its thread, while a pressed one stays stable for years.
Types of metal jeans buttons
Fixed buttons
The post is tightly gripped by the tack and the button does not rotate. This is the most common option for denim trousers, skirts and jackets. It is suitable when the logo on the cap must always stay in the same position.
Swivel buttons
Here the cap is connected to the post so that it can rotate around its axis. The advantage is easier buttoning and less wear on the buttonhole, as the button “finds” the right position by itself. They are often used on heavy denim and workwear trousers. The downside is that the logo does not stay fixed – for asymmetric lettering it is better to choose a fixed style.
Buttons with a decorative cap
The cap can be smooth, with a raised logo, with lettering around the rim, perforated or with an enamelled centre. There are also styles with an insert of another material. The construction is the same – only the upper part changes.
Sizes of metal jeans buttons
The size refers to the diameter of the cap. In practice the following values are mainly used:
| Diameter | Approx. in lignes | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | 22L | children's jeans, skirts, denim shirts, pockets |
| 17 mm | 27L | waistband of women's and men's jeans – the most common size |
| 20 mm | 32L | men's jeans, workwear trousers, denim jackets |
| 23–27 mm | 36L–42L | decorative styles, jackets with a strong look |
Besides the diameter, the length of the tack also matters. It must match the thickness of the fabric layers in the waistband – denim, lining and any fusible interfacing. A tack that is too short does not grip the post, while one that is too long bends and leaves the button loose. With a new style, always do a trial attachment on an actual waistband.
Materials and finishes
Jeans buttons are most often made of brass, steel or zinc alloy, and the tack is brass or steel. Brass is corrosion resistant and suitable for garments that are washed often. Steel is strong and economical but requires a quality finish. Zinc alloy allows heavy caps with deep relief.
Popular finishes for denim are antique brass, antique copper, oxidised (black) nickel colour, dark nickel colour and matte silver – all nickel free. For the classic indigo look, the “aged” tones are most often chosen, matching the rivets on the pockets. It is best for the cap, the tack and the rivets to come from one batch and one finish so there is no difference in shade.
How to choose metal jeans buttons
- Denim weight. For thin stretch denim choose a lighter cap and a short tack. For heavy denim over 12–13 oz – a larger diameter and a longer tack.
- Type of garment. Trousers usually have 17 mm or 20 mm on the waistband, while jackets may use smaller buttons on the cuffs and larger ones on the front.
- Fixed or swivel. If the cap carries a logo that must stay upright, choose a fixed style.
- Finish. Coordinate it with the rivets, the zip and the metal logo plate, if there is one.
- Attachment. Make sure you have a suitable die for your press, or have the manufacturer attach the buttons.
Metal jeans buttons with a logo
The jeans button is one of the most visible places for the brand. The logo can be raised or debossed, laser engraved or written around the rim of the cap. For a heavy, deep relief, zinc alloy casting is usually used, while for thinner and lighter caps – stamped brass. Send the logo in vector format (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) so that the details can be transferred accurately to the die.
If you are looking for a denim fastening without the typical post – for example for shirts or children's clothing – also have a look at snap buttons. You will find more general styles in the metal buttons category.
Common mistakes when choosing
- Ordering tacks of one length for all styles without considering the thickness of the waistband.
- Combining buttons and rivets from different suppliers with a visibly different shade of antique finish.
- A cap that is too large and heavy on lightweight denim, pulling the waistband forward.
- Choosing a swivel button for a logo with text, which then sits crooked.
Ordering from the manufacturer
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia, with over 30 years of experience. We make metal jeans buttons in standard sizes and to your design, with a logo and finish of your choice, produce samples quickly and deliver across the EU. Send us the size, the finish, the type of tack and your logo via the contact page – you will receive a quote and a sample proposal. Minimum quantities depend on the article.
