Plastic Sew-On Snap Fasteners – Clear, White and Black

Plastic sew-on snap fasteners are snap closures made of nylon (polyamide) or another engineering plastic, available in clear, white, black and, less often, other colours. They are light, do not rust, are nickel free and are barely visible under the fabric. That is why they are preferred for blouses, dresses in thin fabrics, lingerie and children’s clothing.

Plastic sew-on snap fasteners: material and construction

Like metal ones, plastic sew-on snap fasteners consist of two parts – a male part with a raised stud and a female part with a socket. Each part has holes around the edge for sewing. The difference is the material: instead of brass or steel, a resilient engineering plastic is used, most often nylon. It has a slight springiness, so the stud enters the socket with a soft but distinct click.

Clear sew-on snap fasteners

The clear version is the most versatile. On the fabric it takes on the colour of the material and stays almost invisible, so one model can be used for the collection’s whole colour range. This simplifies stocking and reduces the number of articles.

White and black sew-on snap fasteners

The white and black models are opaque and do not show through. White ones are chosen for light, white and pastel fabrics, black ones for dark fabrics. On very thin and sheer materials, a solid colour is sometimes a better solution than clear, because clear plastic can reflect light and show up as a shiny dot.

Advantages of plastic sew-on snap fasteners

• They do not rust – suitable for garments that are washed often and for swimwear and beachwear.
• Nickel free – a good choice for lingerie, baby and children’s clothing and for people with sensitive skin.
• Light – they do not pull on thin fabrics and add no weight.
• Almost invisible – especially the clear models.
• Quiet – they do not rattle in the washing machine or scratch other garments.

Drawbacks and limitations

Plastic is softer than metal, so the holding force at the same size is usually lower. Under heavy load – a coat overlap, a waistband, heavy wool – a plastic snap can come undone by itself. Plastic is also sensitive to high temperatures: a hot iron directly on the snap can deform it.

You can read more about the metal alternative in the article on metal sew-on snap fasteners.

Do plastic snap fasteners last?

Quality nylon sew-on snap fasteners withstand hundreds of closures and repeated washing. Problems usually come from:

• a size too small for the load – the snap comes undone by itself;
• sewing with too few stitches – the snap tears off rather than breaks;
• ironing with a hot iron directly on the snap;
• cheap, brittle plastic that cracks when bent.

If the snap comes undone too easily, choose a larger size or a metal model. If it tears off, the problem lies in the stitching and in the strength of the fabric at the attachment point.

How to sew on plastic snap fasteners

They are sewn on exactly like metal ones: the male part on the upper (overlapping) layer, the female part on the lower one. Each hole is stitched with several stitches, and on thin fabrics the spot is reinforced with interfacing or a small piece of fabric on the wrong side. Choose a thread in the colour of the fabric – with clear snaps, the thread is the only thing that shows.

Where plastic sew-on snap fasteners are used

• blouses and dresses in chiffon, georgette, viscose and silk – necklines, slits, cuffs;
• lingerie and nightdresses – straps, necklines, concealed closures;
• baby and children’s clothing – a light and safe closure without metal;
• swimwear and beachwear – where metal would rust;
• decorative cushion covers, curtains and home textiles.

Plastic sew-on snaps or press-on snap buttons

If the closure needs to be visible and withstand very frequent use, press-on snap buttons, which are attached with a press and die, are more suitable. Plastic sew-on snap fasteners are for concealed closures, for delicate fabrics and for cases where you do not want to pierce the fabric. For decorative buttons in the colour of the fabric, also browse the polyester buttons.

Ironing and washing

• Fasten the snaps before washing.
• Iron on the wrong side and avoid direct contact between the iron and the snap.
• Do not use a tumble dryer at high temperature unless the label allows it.
• Do not bleach aggressively – some plastics turn yellow.

Plastic sew-on snap fasteners in series production

In production runs, the biggest advantage of clear snaps is that one article serves many fabric colours. This reduces the number of stock positions and the risk of the exact colour being missing at the moment of sewing. With white and black models it is useful to check whether the tone matches the thread and the fabric – a pure white snap on ecru fabric sometimes shows more than a clear one. Before approving the run, sew several snaps onto a sample, wash it and check that the plastic has not yellowed, cracked or lost its click.

Store the male and female parts in separate, clearly labelled boxes, especially with clear models, where the two parts are easily mixed up on the work table.

What to specify when ordering

When ordering plastic sew-on snap fasteners for production, specify the colour (clear, white, black), the size or diameter, the type of fabric and the load, the quantity and whether you want samples. For a non-standard colour, send a fabric swatch – minimum quantities for dyeing depend on the article.

Plastic sew-on snap fasteners from Polkom

Polkom is a manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, supplying wholesale, with over 30 years of experience and large stock. In the sew-on snap fasteners category you will find clear, white and black plastic models in various sizes, as well as metal versions. Send an inquiry with size, colour and quantity via the contact page and you will receive a quote and samples.