Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Good buttons for children's clothing must be light, smooth, free of sharp edges and sewn on so securely that the child cannot pull them off. Polyester buttons with two or four holes are the most common choice, because they do not break into sharp pieces, can be dyed in bright colours and withstand frequent washing. For baby clothes, around the neck and crotch, snap buttons are the more practical fastening.
Why safety comes first
Small children explore everything with their mouths. A button that comes off is a small part that can be swallowed or inhaled. That is why, on children's clothing, a button is judged not only on appearance but above all on how firmly it stays in place after repeated washing, pulling and chewing. In Europe, mechanical hazards on children's clothing (small parts, sharp edges, cords) are described in the technical report CEN/TR 16792, and the requirements for cords in the EN 14682 standard. The manufacturer is responsible for the product being safe, which is why many brands introduce their own button pull-strength tests.
Which buttons to choose for children's clothing
Material
- Polyester – light, smooth and with an almost unlimited choice of colours. On impact it does not shatter into sharp pieces like glass or some brittle plastics.
- Nylon – even tougher, suitable for sporty children's workwear-style clothing and jackets.
- Wood and natural materials – beautiful, but they require a more careful check for cracks and stricter care.
- Metal and metallised finishes – heavier; with finishes, care must be taken that they do not peel.
For most children's collections, polyester buttons offer the best balance of safety, colour and price.
Shape and surface
- a rounded rim with no sharp corners or casting burrs;
- smooth holes without roughness that cuts the thread;
- a flat or slightly concave profile that does not catch;
- no glued-on decorations (stones, pearls) that could come off.
Novelty buttons – teddy bears, flowers, stars – are children's favourites, but they must be solid, cast in one piece, not assembled from parts.
Size
The size is given in ligne (1L = 0.635 mm). On children's clothing, 14L–20L is most often used for tops, dresses and shirts, and 20L–28L for cardigans, jackets and little coats. Smaller buttons are harder for the child to fasten alone, while larger ones are easier to grab and pull. The choice is a compromise between convenience, looks and safety.
Sewing on: where safety is decided
Even the best button is dangerous if it is sewn on weakly. In production, pay attention to the following:
- Suitable thread – strong polyester sewing thread, not a thin decorative one.
- Number of stitches – the button-sewing machine is set with a sufficient number of passes through each pair of holes.
- Securing the end – the knot or machine lock must not unravel in the wash.
- Backing – on thin and jersey fabrics, interfacing or a small backing button is placed on the reverse so the fabric does not tear.
- Inspection – random samples from the batch are tested for pull strength with a special device.
For sewing on buttons, see also our sewing threads.
Buttons for baby clothes
On baby clothes (bodysuits, rompers, sleepsuits), fastening must be quick and must not press on the skin. Hole buttons are used mainly decoratively or on the back of larger baby dresses and cardigans. For fronts, shoulders and crotches, many manufacturers choose snap buttons, which are attached with a press and require no buttonholes. In all cases there is no room for decorative elements that could come off.
Washing and caring for children's clothes with buttons
Children's clothes are washed often and at higher temperatures. Quality polyester buttons withstand machine washing and tumble drying, but it is best to avoid ironing directly over the button with a very hot iron. If the collection will be garment-dyed or enzyme-washed, test the buttons in the same process. A colour check is also important with light tones: cheap pigments can fade or stain the fabric.
Common mistakes in children's clothing
- Choosing tiny buttons that the child cannot fasten alone.
- Decorative buttons with glued-on elements.
- Sewing on with too few stitches for the sake of production speed.
- Buttons with a sharp edge around the holes that cuts the thread.
- Buttons in places the child chews – cuffs, collar – without an additional check.
Colours and themed collections
In children's collections, the button is often an accent. Polyester allows bright solid colours, pastel tones, pearl lustre and two-tone models. The colour can be matched to a fabric sample, and for larger runs a button in a bespoke shape, cast specially for the brand, is also possible. Consider a consistent button style across the whole collection – this makes the clothes easier to combine and makes them look like a series.
Buttons for children's clothing from the manufacturer
Polkom manufactures and wholesales polyester buttons for children's clothing – from stock and to order, in the colour of your fabric and with your logo. We help with choosing the size and model, make samples quickly and deliver across the EU. We also offer sewing buttons onto finished garments. Send an inquiry describing the collection; minimum quantities depend on the article.
