Wholesale Buttons – How to Order Correctly as a Garment Manufacturer

To order wholesale buttons correctly, prepare a clear specification (type, material, size in lignes, colour, number of holes or shank, quantity by size), request and approve a physical sample, and order the entire quantity from one batch so that the shade is consistent. This way you avoid the most common problems – colour differences, the wrong size and production delays.

Who buys buttons wholesale

• Garment factories and CMT workshops – work to the brand's specification and need exact quantities on time.
• Fashion brands and designers – look for their own design, colour or logo.
• Uniform and workwear ateliers – need repeatable designs over many years.
• Sewing supplies and haberdashery shops – look for a wide range for resale.

Wholesale buttons – how to prepare a specification

A good specification saves days of correspondence. Include:

1. Type and construction – 2 or 4 holes, shank, press-on, toggle.
2. Material – polyester, metal, corozo, mother-of-pearl, horn, wood, etc.
3. Size – in lignes or millimetres, with the unit clearly stated. If the garment has several sizes, give them separately.
4. Colour – a Pantone number (TCX or TPX for textiles), a piece of the fabric or a physical sample button.
5. Finish – matte, gloss, satin, horn or marble effect, type of metal finish.
6. Logo or engraving – vector file, size and position.
7. Quantity – by size and colour, including spare buttons and a reserve for rejects.
8. Care requirements – washing, ironing, dry cleaning, specific tests.

Samples – the most important stage

Never launch a production run based only on a photo or a catalogue number. A sample lets you check:

• that the colour matches the fabric in daylight and artificial light;
• whether the button passes through the buttonholes set in the pattern;
• how it behaves when washed and ironed according to the care label;
• whether the button-sewing machine works with it without problems.

For custom buttons the sample is approved in writing – it is the agreed reference against which the production run is checked.

Colour and batches

Buttons, especially those made of natural materials and dyed designs, can have small differences in shade between batches. Here is how to protect yourself:

• order the quantity for the whole production run at once;
• if the garment has buttons in two sizes, order them together so they are dyed at the same time;
• keep the approved sample and the batch number for repeat orders;
• with natural materials, accept that slight variation is part of their character.

How many buttons to order

Calculate the quantity with the formula: number of garments × number of buttons of each size per garment, plus spare buttons (one of each size per garment, if you include them) and a sensible reserve for rejects and losses during sewing. The button trade traditionally also works in gross – 1 gross is 144 pieces. Minimum quantities depend on the article: stock designs can usually be ordered in smaller quantities, while custom buttons require a larger run. The safest approach is to ask about the specific design.

What determines the price of wholesale buttons

• material – natural and metal buttons cost more than polyester;
• size and thickness;
• complexity of the shape and number of operations;
• finish, dyeing and plating;
• applying a logo and making a mould;
• quantity and packaging.

Instead of comparing only the unit price, also compare the quality of the sample, the colour match and the reliability of the supplier. A button that breaks or fades ends up costing far more because of complaints.

The most common mistakes in wholesale orders

• a size without a unit – "24" instead of "24L" or "24 mm";
• forgotten sleeve, pocket or inside buttons;
• ordering an additional quantity months later, with a visibly different shade;
• unchecked compatibility with washing and ironing;
• ordering logo buttons late, when they require a sample and approval.

Packing, labelling and delivery

Agree in advance how the buttons should be packed. For large runs it is convenient for each bag to contain a set number of pieces and to be marked with article, size, colour and batch. This speeds up goods receipt and distribution to the production lines. If the buttons go straight to a sewing factory in another country, confirm the delivery address and the documents required. Polkom delivers across Europe, and lead times depend on the article and the quantity.

Long-term work with one manufacturer

For brands with permanent styles – uniforms, corporate wear, basic shirts – it makes sense to work with a single button manufacturer. They keep the samples, colour recipes and moulds, so every subsequent order is identical to the previous one.

Stock designs or custom buttons

Stock designs suit fast runs and basic garments – the choice is large and there is no mould-making stage. Custom buttons are the right choice when you need an exact colour, your own design or a logo. Many brands combine the two approaches: classic polyester buttons for basic styles and engraved buttons with a logo for key garments.

Wholesale buttons from Polkom

Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of buttons based in Sofia, with over 30 years of experience. We offer more than 10,000 articles in stock, production to your design and logo, fast samples and delivery across Europe. Send a request for a quote with your specification – you will receive a specific proposal.