Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A rivet is a small two-part metal fastener – a cap and a base with a pin, which are set into each other through the fabric with a press. It is not used for fastening; it locks the seam at the most stressed points of the garment, for example at the corners of jeans pockets, and is a decorative detail at the same time. A rivet is fixed: once attached, it cannot be undone, only cut out.
What is a rivet and where does it come from
The word rivet means a fastener that joins materials permanently. In garment terminology, “rivet” is used almost always for the small decorative and functional fasteners on denim, workwear, bags and leather goods, while in engineering the term has a broader meaning. The idea is old: in the late 19th century workers’ trousers began to be reinforced with copper rivets, because the pockets tore under the weight of tools. Since then the rivet has been an integral part of classic jeans to this day.
How a rivet is built
A standard garment rivet has two parts:
- Cap (top part) – the visible front. It can be smooth, embossed, with a logo, with lettering around the edge or with a hole in the centre through which the tip of the pin is visible.
- Base with pin (bottom part) – a small washer with a sharp or blunt pin. The pin passes from the inside out through all layers of fabric and enters the cap.
When pressed, the pin spreads inside the cap and the two parts lock together permanently. A correctly attached rivet does not turn, creak or pull out, even when the fabric is pulled hard.
Pointed or flat-ended pin
Sharp-pointed pins pierce the fabric on their own and are convenient for denim with a dense but not very thick structure. With leather, canvas and many layers, a hole is usually punched first and then a rivet with a blunter pin is attached. The choice depends on the material and the press settings.
Types of rivets
| Type | Feature | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Single-cap rivet | Cap at the front, small base at the back | Jeans pockets, dungarees, jackets |
| Double-cap rivet | Cap on both sides | Bags, belts, straps, leads |
| Open-centre rivet | The pin is visible in the centre | Vintage and authentic denim |
| Logo rivet | Embossed or engraved cap | Branded collections |
| Decorative rivet | Various shapes and large caps | Jackets, footwear, accessories |
You can see the full range of models and finishes in the rivets category.
Rivet, eyelet and snap button – what is the difference
The three elements are often confused because they are attached with similar presses and usually come in the same finish. Their function, however, is different:
- Rivet – a fixed fastener that only reinforces and decorates. It does not open.
- Eyelet – a metal ring that forms and reinforces a hole for a lace, cord or air. Find out more in the eyelets category.
- Snap button – a four-part fastener that clicks shut and opens repeatedly. See our snap buttons.
On jeans and jackets the three elements often work together: a waistband button, rivets on the pockets and eyelets or snap buttons on the cuffs. That is why it is best to choose them from one series of finishes.
What rivets are made of
Copper and brass are the most common, because they do not rust, withstand repeated washing and develop a natural patina over time. Aluminium is lighter and cheaper but softer and less resistant to heavy loads. Steel parts are used less often and always with a good coating, as they can corrode if damaged.
Finishes range from natural and antique copper, brass and antique brass to nickel colour and matte nickel colour (both nickel free), gunmetal and black. On distressed denim the finish is often chosen so that it “wears” together with the fabric during washing.
Where rivets are placed on a garment
The position of a rivet is not random – it sits where the seam takes the greatest strain:
- the top corners of the front pockets;
- the bottom end of the fly, sometimes instead of a reinforcing bartack;
- the base of belt loops on workwear;
- the corners of the back pockets – less often, as they can scratch furniture and seats;
- the attachment points of handles and straps on bags and dungarees.
When rivets are placed for purely decorative reasons, for example on a cuff or collar, the same rule applies: there must be enough layers or a fusible backing behind them so that the fabric does not tear around the pin.
How a rivet is attached – in brief
The position is marked, a hole is punched if needed, the pin base is placed on the inside, the cap on top, and the two parts are set with a press and a die of suitable shape. The key is that the pin has the right length for the thickness of the fabric stack: too short and it does not grip, too long and it bends and the cap sits crooked.
How to choose a rivet for a specific product
Start from the material and the load, not from the look. For classic blue jeans, copper or antique copper with a cap of about 8–9 mm is usually chosen. For black and light denim, nickel colour (nickel free), gunmetal or a black finish look better. For workwear strength matters – a denser base and a pin matched to the canvas. For bags and belts, choose a double-cap rivet, because both sides of the material are visible. Finally, think about branding: the cap is small, but every rivet on the garment can carry your logo.
Rivets from the manufacturer
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags with over 30 years of experience. We offer rivets in standard models from stock and to your design – with a logo, a specific finish or shape – and before the production run we make a sample for testing on your fabric. Send the size, material, finish and approximate quantity via the contact page and you will receive a quote.
