Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Metal shirt buttons give a garment a character that polyester and mother-of-pearl rarely achieve – from vintage denim to an evening shirt with gold half-dome buttons. Polkom is a manufacturer of metal shirt buttons in four classic shapes: 4-hole, 2-hole, flat shank and half-dome shank. The core colours are gunmetal, nickel (nickel free), gold, black and antique silver, and the sizes are 9, 10, 11.5 and 12.5 mm. The buttons are light and elegant, and delivery is fast.
In this article we look at when metal suits a shirt, how the four shapes differ, how to choose colour and size and what to include in your inquiry.
When metal shirt buttons are a good choice
A metal button is the natural choice when a shirt should look more structured or more refined than the classic model. It is used most often on:
- denim and chambray shirts – antique silver, gunmetal or black emphasise the seams and pockets;
- overshirts and workwear – a stronger detail on the front and the pocket flaps;
- uniform and corporate shirts – gold or nickel for a representative look;
- women's shirts and blouses – a half-dome or flat shank button as jewellery on the placket;
- evening shirts – black or gold for contrast with the fabric.
For everyday business shirts, where the button should stay unnoticed, classic polyester is usually the better choice – see the classic pearl-effect shirt buttons in 16 colours.
The four classic shapes
4-hole metal button
This shape follows the classic shirt button: flat, with a rim and four holes in the centre. It is sewn on the same machines as polyester buttons, so it requires no change in production. In antique silver the surface has an aged look with a lighter rim and darker recesses – ideal for denim, work shirts and vintage-style collections.
2-hole metal button
The 2-hole button is more minimalist: a smooth surface with a bevelled rim and two holes, leaving more clean metal on the face. It suits modern shirts where you want a calm, graphic detail. We offer it in nickel (nickel free), gold, gunmetal and black.
Flat metal shank button
A shank button has no holes – it is sewn on through a loop at the back. The face stays completely smooth, and the button sits slightly above the fabric and fastens softly. The flat shape suits cuffs, collars, pocket flaps and women's blouses. It is available in gunmetal, nickel (nickel free), gold and black. How a shank button is sewn on and fitted is explained in detail in the article metal shank button.
Half-dome metal shank button
The half-dome is a convex, domed button with a shank. It reflects light more strongly than the flat shapes and is therefore perceived as a decorative detail – on the placket of women's shirts, on evening styles, on the collar or as a single accent button. This shape is also offered in gunmetal, nickel (nickel free), gold and black.
Colours: gunmetal, nickel, gold, black and antique silver
The five core colours cover most collections. Here is how they are most often combined with the shirt fabric:
| Button colour | Suitable fabrics and colours | Impression |
|---|---|---|
| Gunmetal | denim, grey, black, navy | modern, restrained |
| Nickel (nickel free) | white, light blue, grey, pastels | clean, cool shine |
| Gold | navy, burgundy, white, black | representative, festive |
| Black | black, white, dark tones | graphic, minimalist |
| Antique silver | denim, chambray, khaki, workwear fabrics | vintage, aged |
The difference between gunmetal, graphite and a black finish is explained in the article what is gunmetal, and the general rules for choosing a colour in how to choose the colour of a metal button.
Any colour from the colour chart
If the five core colours don't suit the collection, metal shirt buttons can be made in any colour from our colour chart with 147 colours and finishes. That way the buttons can match the other metal accessories on the garment – eyelets, rivets, buckles or cord ends. How a code is chosen from the chart and approved is described in the article metal finish colour chart.
Sizes: from 9 to 12.5 mm
Metal shirt buttons come in the same sizes as the classic ones: 9, 10, 11.5 and 12.5 mm (roughly 14L, 16L, 18L and 20L). The smaller size usually goes on the collar and sleeve placket, the larger one on the front and cuffs, on overshirts and on pocket flaps. A table of button positions on the shirt is in the article on classic shirt buttons.
With shank buttons, keep in mind that the loop raises the button above the fabric. The buttonhole therefore has to match the diameter and height of the button – test it on a sample before you start the run.
Light, elegant and nickel free
Shirts are made from thin fabrics such as poplin, Oxford, batiste or viscose, and a heavy button would pull the placket down. That is why our metal shirt buttons are light and elegant – with a fine profile that doesn't weigh down the fabric or leave an imprint when ironing.
All Polkom metal accessories are nickel free. "Nickel" is only the name of a colour for us – a silvery, cool shine – not nickel content in the material. The same applies to black, gunmetal, gold and antique silver. More on the topic is in the article nickel-free accessories for clothing.
Washing and ironing shirts with metal buttons
Metal buttons withstand normal shirt washing. We recommend washing the garment inside out and not ironing directly over the button. For industrial laundering or tumble drying it is wise to test a sample first. Detailed advice is in the article metal buttons in the washer and dryer.
Ordering metal shirt buttons
For a quick quote, state the shape (4-hole, 2-hole, flat shank or half-dome), the colour or the code from the colour chart, the size and the approximate quantity. Minimum quantities depend on the article – send an inquiry. If needed, we send samples so you can check the button on the fabric and buttonhole. Delivery is fast, and the full range is in the metal buttons collection. You can send an inquiry via the contact page.
