Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Urea buttons (UF buttons) are made of urea-formaldehyde resin – a thermoset plastic that hardens irreversibly when moulded. They do not soften with ironing, high-temperature washing or dry cleaning, so they are used mainly for shirts, uniforms and workwear. They look similar to polyester buttons, but are harder, heavier and have a denser, matte appearance.
Urea buttons – what they are made of
The name comes from urea (carbamide), and the abbreviation UF stands for Urea Formaldehyde. The raw material is a powder mix of resin, filler (most often cellulose) and pigment. The mix is dosed into a heated steel mould and pressed under high pressure. During heating a chemical reaction – cross-linking – takes place, after which the material can no longer be melted and re-moulded.
This difference determines how the button behaves in use:
- Thermoplastics (polyester, nylon, ABS) soften when heated. Under hot pressing or an iron on a high setting they can lose their shape or gloss.
- Thermosets (urea, melamine, phenolic resins) keep their shape until the temperature reaches the level at which the material starts to decompose – far above ironing settings.
Properties of urea buttons
Advantages
- Heat resistance – the button does not stick to the iron or deform when finished shirts and jackets are pressed.
- Hardness – the surface is scratch-resistant and keeps edges and holes precise.
- Chemical resistance – withstands dry-cleaning solvents and detergents.
- Colour throughout – the pigment runs through the whole body, so a scratch does not reveal a different colour underneath.
- A refined look – a dense, slightly matte effect, also used to imitate stone, marble and horn.
Limitations
- Brittleness on impact – the harder material is less elastic than polyester. A hard knock when washed in a drum with heavy objects can chip an edge.
- A more limited range of effects – transparent, pearlescent and high-gloss effects are much easier to achieve with polyester.
- Higher price – the moulding process is slower and requires more finishing operations.
How to recognise a urea button
In the factory, three simple checks are most common:
- Weight and sound – a urea button is noticeably heavier than a polyester one of the same size and gives a higher, “ceramic” sound when tapped.
- Hot point test – a heated metal point leaves a mark in polyester, but makes no dent in urea. The test is done only on a sample, not on the batch.
- Edges and holes – after moulding the edge is polished and the inside of the holes is smooth, with no threads from machining.
The most reliable way, of course, is to ask the supplier for a material specification.
Where urea buttons are used
| Product | Why urea | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s and women’s shirts | Industrial ironing and collar pressing | 16L–18L (10–11.5 mm) |
| Uniforms (hotels, restaurants, security) | Frequent washing, stable colour | 18L–28L |
| Medical clothing | High-temperature washing | 18L–24L |
| Work jackets and trousers | Industrial washing and drying | 24L–32L |
| Jackets and suits | Pressing during finishing, matte look | 20L–24L sleeve, 28L–32L front |
Sizes are in lignes (L), where 1L = 0.635 mm. When choosing the size, start from the fabric thickness and the buttonhole length, not just the look.
Urea buttons or another material
Urea is not a “better” material in principle – it suits specific conditions. For fashion garments that are washed gently and do not go through industrial pressing, polyester buttons offer more colours and effects at a lower price. Urea is the logical choice when the garment:
- will be washed often at 60 °C and above;
- goes through a steam press or tunnel finisher;
- is dry-cleaned;
- must look the same after many cycles of use.
If you need a logo on the button, urea engraves well because it is a hard, homogeneous material. You will find examples of personalisation in the engraved buttons section.
Sewing on and caring for urea buttons
Urea buttons are sewn on with standard automatic button sewers, but a few details reduce rejects:
- Machine feeding – the heavier button sits stably, but check that the machine’s clamp holds a rimmed model without scratching it.
- Thread – shirts and uniforms use polyester sewing thread that tolerates the same temperatures as the button.
- Number of stitches – on workwear, increase the stitches and add a shank (wrapping) so the thread is not cut by the edge of the hole.
- Washing – fasten garments before washing and use mesh bags for delicate items to reduce knocks in the drum.
The button itself needs no special care – it follows the regime stated on the garment’s care label.
How to choose urea buttons for an order
Before sending an inquiry, prepare the following information:
- item and fabric (shirt, uniform, workwear; fabric weight);
- size in lignes and number of holes (2 or 4) or a shank button;
- colour – from the catalogue, to Pantone or to a fabric sample;
- finish – matte, satin, with an effect;
- care regime of the finished garment (washing temperature, ironing, dry cleaning);
- approximate quantity and desired lead time.
The price depends on the size, model, colour, logo and quantity, so it is determined after a request for a quote.
Urea buttons from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, headquartered in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We offer wholesale urea buttons in standard colours and to order – with a logo, in a colour matched to a sample and with fast sampling. We deliver across the EU. Send us the model, size and quantity via the contact page, and you will receive a quote.
