Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Uniform buttons must look the same on all staff and keep their appearance after many washes and ironings. For corporate, hotel, restaurant and medical uniforms, urea buttons are used most often – they do not soften with heat and keep their colour – while metal buttons with an emblem are chosen for ceremonial and representative uniforms. A logo and a colour matched to a sample turn the button into part of the corporate identity.
What is required of uniform buttons
A uniform is a work garment and a business card at the same time. The buttons must therefore meet two sets of requirements:
Functional
- resistance to washing at 60 °C and above and to tumble drying;
- resistance to industrial ironing and pressing;
- stable colour, without yellowing or fading;
- secure sewing that withstands daily fastening.
Visual
- the same shade across different batches, because uniforms are reordered for years;
- a match with the fabric colour or the corporate palette;
- the option of a logo, monogram or symbol;
- a style that suits the type of uniform – from a classic jacket to a chef’s jacket.
Uniform buttons by sector
| Sector | Typical garment | Recommended material |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality (reception, service) | Jacket, waistcoat, shirt | Urea, metal with emblem |
| Restaurants and kitchens | Chef’s jacket, apron | Urea, snap buttons |
| Medical and beauty | Tunic, coat | Urea, melamine |
| Security | Shirt, jacket, trousers | Urea, metal |
| Aviation, transport, ceremonial uniforms | Jacket, greatcoat | Metal buttons with relief |
| Retail chains and banks | Shirt, blouse, jacket | Urea, quality polyester |
For most everyday uniforms the practical solution is urea buttons. Representative uniforms often use metal buttons with a raised emblem, which are cleaned and pressed separately.
Uniform button sizes
- Shirts and blouses – 16L–18L (about 10–11.5 mm) for the front and cuffs, 14L–16L for the collar.
- Chef’s jackets – 20L–24L (about 12.7–15.2 mm); shank buttons or snap buttons are often used.
- Jackets and waistcoats – 28L–32L for the front, 20L–24L for the sleeves.
- Outer jackets and greatcoats – 32L–40L.
When ordering for uniforms, choose one button style in several sizes. This keeps the look consistent across all garments in the set.
The same colour in every batch
Uniforms are rarely ordered all at once. New staff, worn garments and new branches mean reorders over months and years. Therefore:
- Keep the approved sample of the button and colour (Pantone or a physical fabric sample).
- Give the article code and colour with every reorder.
- Use one material for all garments – urea and polyester in the same colour look different.
- With a new batch, compare the buttons with the approved standard in daylight.
Urea is dyed through, and with the right recipe the colour repeats consistently, which is a big advantage for uniforms.
Uniform buttons with a logo
A logo on the button is a discreet but recognisable detail. It is most often done in three ways:
- Laser engraving – precise, suitable for small lettering and complex logos, does not wash off.
- Relief from a die – the logo is pressed together with the button; it requires a die and is economical for larger runs.
- Metal button with an emblem – the classic solution for representative uniforms.
You can see examples of customisation in the engraved buttons category. Before sending your logo, prepare it in vector format and consider its legibility at a diameter of 15–20 mm – thin lines and small text get lost.
Mistakes that make uniforms more expensive
- Choosing from a catalogue photo – the shade on screen rarely matches the real one. Approve the colour only from a physical sample.
- Different suppliers for different garments – the shirt and the jacket in the set end up with buttons of a different tone and style.
- A logo that is too complex – thin lines and small letters cannot be read on a 15 mm button and make engraving more expensive to no effect. A simplified version of the mark often works better.
- Polyester with high-temperature washing – the initial saving leads to replacing buttons after a few months.
- No reserve – with every order, set aside spare buttons for repairs so you do not have to order a separate batch for a few garments.
Combining with other accessories
A uniform often includes other branded elements – a woven label with the logo, a metal logo plate or zips in the corporate colour. When you plan them together with the buttons, you get a unified look and a simpler delivery process.
Budget and price
The price of uniform buttons depends on the material, the size, the number of positions in the set, whether there is a logo and the quantity. Making a die for a raised logo is a one-off investment spread over future reorders. For specific figures, send a request for a quote with a description of the set.
How to plan the order
- draw up a list of all garments in the set and the number of buttons on each;
- determine the sizes for each position;
- choose the material according to the washing process;
- prepare the colour and the logo;
- request samples and test them on the actual fabric.
Uniform buttons from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags from Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We make uniform buttons in urea and metal, in colours matched to a sample and with a logo, send samples quickly and deliver throughout the EU. Send the uniform specification via the contact page.
