Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide

January 22, 2026 191
Metal buttons significantly impact a garment's final appearance and functional performance.Manufacturers supplying mainstream brands typically establish systems for material selection,process control,and validation.This guide outlines the primary materials used for apparel hardware,their characteristics,and how they meet the specific needs of different apparel categories,accompanied by case studies from industry suppliers and practical production insights.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


I.Material Properties and Selection Criteria

The performance of metal garment fasteners is determined by their base material,with each type offering unique advantages for button design and functionality.

Brass Alloy

Brass serves as the base material for numerous garment buttons.


  • Characteristics:≥99.5%copper content supports precision stamping,crucial for maintaining dimensional tolerances required in tailored garments like suits.

  • Applications&Surface Treatments:Brass accepts diverse electroplating and antiquing processes.Manufacturers produce these components for brands with specific aesthetic requirements,employing techniques like CNC engraving or multi-layer plating.


  • Compliance:Brass components can be produced to meet OEKO-TEX Standard 100 safety certification requirements.Songji holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification,ensuring all brass button products comply with this safety standard.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


Stainless Steel

  • Features:Grades like 304 and 316L stainless steel offer high corrosion and discoloration resistance.

  • Applications:Their strength and durability make them suitable for jackets,workwear,and denim apparel.They can undergo extended salt spray testing(e.g.,over 50 hours)as required by functional apparel brands.

  • Processing:Techniques like nickel-free plating enable stainless steel to meet ecological and skin contact standards.In a custom button case for the brand Carhartt,Songji's workwear buttons passed over 50 hours of salt spray testing.

Zinc Alloy

Zinc alloy offers a balance of weight,cost,and design flexibility for high-volume apparel applications.


  • Features:Approximately 20%lighter than stainless steel,enabling complex mold designs.Production techniques like multi-cavity molding ensure consistency.Songji employs its patented“multi-button per mold”process for zinc alloy buttons,significantly boosting production efficiency.
  • Applications:Its balance of cost and versatility makes it ideal for denim buttons,basic fasteners,and fashion applications.Finishing options range from mirror-polished plating to vintage effects.For example,Songji's denim buttons for LEE pass 72-hour salt spray tests,while its children's buttons for Carter's feature rounded safety edges with lead content below 60ppm.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


Titanium Alloy

Titanium alloy is a material option for professional functional apparel.


  • Characteristics:Titanium alloy boasts a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel,coupled with exceptional corrosion resistance and biocompatibility,making it a preferred choice for specialized functional garments.
  • Application Scenarios:The production cost and processing complexity of titanium alloy buttons result in a higher price point compared to other materials.Consequently,its use is primarily confined to high-end outdoor and luxury apparel sectors.

II.Application of Metal Buttons in Women's Apparel

In women's wear,buttons often serve as part of the decorative design language.Conventional considerations for buttons focus more on surface treatment techniques,color,and compatibility with fabrics.

  • Design and Surface Finishing:Premium brands typically customize metal buttons to match brand-specific color standards(e.g.,Pantone numbers)and texture requirements like matte,glossy,or distressed finishes.For Ying'er brand collaborations,Songji designs based on the brand's visual identity elements and offers plating options including antique bronze and matte black.

  • Quality Verification:Buttons for premium womenswear undergo testing before shipment,including colorfastness to rubbing and corrosion resistance.Songji Button Factory subjects buttons to over 30 inspections from raw materials to finished products,ensuring durability and quality.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide



III.Applications in Outdoor Apparel and Workwear

Testing standards for these buttons are defined based on actual usage scenarios and brand requirements.

  • Durability Testing:Buttons must pass tests like salt spray corrosion resistance(48-72 hours).The minimum pull strength requirement for snap buttons is typically 90N,with higher standards for load-bearing applications.
  • Material Selection:Stainless steel or reinforced alloys are typically specified for these buttons due to their inherent corrosion resistance and durability.Compliance with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 safety requirements is mandatory.Over the past nine years,Songji has successfully passed 72 factory audits for international brands including GAP and Carhartt,with its management system rigorously validated.

Button manufacturers serving this sector typically provide documentation of third-party factory audits covering quality and social responsibility.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


IV.Application of Metal Buttons in Children's Apparel

Children's apparel,being intended for minors,demands the most comprehensive safety requirements across all applications.

  • Regulatory Compliance:Buttons must meet or exceed standards such as CPSIA(U.S.)and EN 71-3(Europe).OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification is a common requirement.Songji's custom snap fasteners for Carter's infant apparel meet OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification,with total lead content controlled below 60 ppm.
  • Design and Testing:Designs feature smooth rounded edges and secure attachment methods to prevent accidental cuts during use.For children's clothing buttons,testing procedures include simulated misuse scenarios for tensile strength and torsion resistance.
  • Traceable Source System:Songji has established a full-process traceability system from raw materials to finished products.Information for each batch is traceable,and relevant production data is retained for 5 years or longer.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


V.Supplier Capabilities:From Customization to Scale

Beyond materials,a manufacturer's operational system determines its ability to fulfill brand orders.

  • Customization&Button R&D:Suppliers offering in-house OEM/ODM services control the entire process from design to production.Extensive existing product libraries(e.g.,over 10,000 designs)accelerate the prototyping phase.
  • Production Capacity:Factory scale is reflected through objective metrics like floor area and annual material consumption.Some manufacturers employ proprietary processes to maintain consistency in high-volume output.
  • Compliance&Validation:Manufacturers certified by multiple brand audits demonstrate standardized,procedural management systems,evidenced by objective accreditations such as ISO 9001.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


Conclusion

Selecting metal buttons for apparel involves matching material properties with functional and aesthetic requirements.Partner manufacturers must possess the technical capability to execute design specifications,validate product performance through testing,and ensure compliance of finished buttons via standardized systems.For instance,Songji provides customized solutions for international brands like Armani,Carhartt,Carter's,and LEE,demonstrating its ability to integrate material science,process technology,and rigorous quality control.


Metal Buttons for Clothing:Material and Application Guide


Brands systematically evaluate suppliers based on comprehensive data encompassing material expertise,process control,verifiable certifications,and proven track records in meeting stringent supply chain service requirements.This ensures brands procure apparel buttons that meet their specific needs and standards.For inquiries regarding custom apparel button solutions,please contact Songji Buttons.