Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Workwear buttons must withstand frequent high-temperature washing, tumble drying and industrial ironing without deforming, breaking or losing colour. Most often urea (UF) buttons are chosen for jackets, shirts and trousers, metal buttons and eyelets for heavy-duty clothing and snap buttons where quick fastening is the goal. The choice depends on the washing process, the fabric and the risks in the workplace.
What stresses buttons on workwear
A fashion garment is washed a few dozen times over its whole life. A work garment can go through hundreds of cycles, often in an industrial laundry. There are several kinds of stress:
- Heat – washing at 60–90 °C, tumble drying, steam tunnel finishers.
- Chemicals – strongly alkaline detergents, bleach, degreasing agents.
- Mechanical – knocks in the drum, friction against other garments, strain when fastening with gloves on.
- Working environment – oils, solvents, dust, friction against machines and furniture.
A button that is ideal for a women’s blouse can crack, yellow or come off within the first few months in such an environment.
Workwear buttons – materials and when to use which
| Material | Strengths | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Urea (UF) | Does not soften with heat, hard, stable colour | Jackets, shirts, trousers, aprons, uniforms |
| Melamine (MF) | Even higher resistance to steam and detergents | Rental clothing, industrial laundries |
| Metal (brass, plated steel) | High mechanical strength | Overalls, heavy trousers, denim |
| Snap buttons | Quick fastening, no buttonhole | Work jackets, outer jackets, aprons |
| Polyester | Low price, many colours | Workwear with moderate washing |
For most workwear manufacturers, the starting point is urea buttons: they combine heat resistance, a reasonable price and a classic look. For heavy-duty clothing consider metal buttons, and for quick dressing snap buttons.
When metal is not a good idea
In some environments metal parts are undesirable – for example when working with electrical installations, in the food industry, where a detached metal part is a risk to the product, or for clothing that will pass through a metal detector. Urea or another non-metallic material is then more appropriate. Check the client’s requirements and the applicable standards for protective clothing.
Workwear button sizes
Work garments usually use larger buttons than fashion garments, because they are fastened quickly and often with gloves on.
| Position | Size in lignes | Approximately in mm |
|---|---|---|
| Work shirt – front | 18L–20L | 11.5–12.7 |
| Pockets and cuffs | 18L–24L | 11.5–15.2 |
| Work jacket – front | 24L–32L | 15.2–20.3 |
| Trousers – waistband | 24L–28L | 15.2–17.8 |
| Outer jacket and parka | 32L–40L | 20.3–25.4 |
1L = 0.635 mm. The buttonhole length is calculated as the button diameter plus its thickness, and on workwear another 1–2 mm is added to make fastening easy.
Shape and design of the button
- Thick, rounded rim – less risk of chipping and of cutting the thread.
- Four holes – better load distribution than two holes.
- Recessed centre – the thread is protected from friction.
- Shank button – for thick fabrics where the button needs to “sit” above the fabric.
- Dark, saturated colours – hide dirt and wear better than white.
Sewing on: half of the durability
Even the strongest button falls off if it is sewn on poorly. With workwear, pay attention to:
- The thread – polyester or poly-cotton (core-spun) of a suitable thickness.
- The number of stitches – more stitches than the standard for fashion garments.
- The shank – wrapping under the button on thick fabrics so the thread does not wear through.
- Reinforcement – a fusible interlining or a small backing button on the inside at high-stress points.
- Control – a pull-off test on samples from every batch.
Common mistakes when choosing
- choosing a button by its look, without information about the washing programme;
- too small a size on clothing that is fastened with gloves on;
- white buttons on clothing washed with aggressive detergents that must look immaculate;
- mixing suppliers and materials in one run, so that the shade differs;
- skipping a sample test before the large order.
Buttons by type of work garment
Work jackets and outer jackets
The front often has a zip and a placket, and the buttons are on the pockets, cuffs and placket flap. Urea in 24L–28L with a thick rim is the standard solution; on heavier fabrics shank buttons are also used.
Work trousers and overalls
The waistband and straps carry the greatest load. Here metal buttons and eyelets are preferred, while urea is suitable for pockets and openings.
Aprons and shirts for service staff
These garments are washed almost daily and ironed. Urea in 18L–20L keeps its appearance and leaves no marks when ironed.
Logo and corporate colour
Workwear often carries the company identity. Urea buttons can be made in a colour matched to a fabric sample or to Pantone, and with an engraved logo. It is a discreet way to brand clothing that does not wash off.
Workwear 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 supply urea, metal and snap buttons to workwear manufacturers throughout the EU and make samples and logo orders quickly. Describe the garment, fabric and washing process in a request for a quote.
