Snap fasteners are a versatile yet often overlooked clothing closure that can provide a creative way to customize and embellish your unique clothes and fashion designs. Metal snap buttons in particular can elevate a garment while delivering durability and quality construction.
What Are Metal Snap Buttons?
Metal snap buttons consist of two main components: female studs and male bars. The female studs have a hollow post that the male bar snaps into. When joined, the bar and stud are securely locked together. Metal snap buttons for clothes are commonly made from brass, although stainless steel and zinc alloys are also options.
Compared to plastic snap buttons, metal snap fasteners offer several key advantages:
- Durability: Metal snaps are far more resilient, able to withstand thousands of open and close cycles before wearing out.
- Longer Life: Metal snap together buttons can easily outlive the garments they’re attached to.
- Security: When properly aligned and snapped together, metal fasteners provide a very secure closure.
- Strength: Metal snap buttons offer greater holding strength for heavy-duty applications.
- Aesthetics: Brass and stainless steel snaps provide a more premium and sophisticated aesthetic over plastic options.
Design Options for Metal Button Snap
Metal snap buttons come in a wide range of designs to suit different purposes:
- Standard: The classic metal snap button design with circular studs and straight bars. Ideal for waistbands, collars and plackets.
- Oval: Similar to standard snaps but with oval shaped studs and bars. Provide slightly more surface area for an emblem or logo.
- Hidden: Also called “no show” snaps. The studs and bars are small and low profile, often concealed under the fabric. These provide an inconspicuous closure.
- Ball-Socket: Studs have an indented cup shape that the spherical bar snaps into. Commonly used for bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry-like applications.
- All-Purpose: Feature studs with four-way posts that accept L-shaped, straight or ball-shaped bars. Provide versatility for multiple closure points.
- Rounded: Studs and bars have rounded edges for a softer, more organic feel. Often chosen for children’s clothing.
- Fancy: Featuring decorative details like swirls, dots or rings. Provide an embellished look to stand out from basic snap closures.
- Logo: Custom shaped with your logo or design embossed or engraved on the surface. Ideal for creating a signature closure on unique fashion designs.
Attaching Metal Snap Buttons to Clothing
There are two primary methods for securely attaching metal snap fasteners to garments:
Rivets: Small metal shafts that are inserted through the posts and fabric. The ends are then flared or peened to secure them in place. Rivets provide the strongest attachment and are recommended for heavy-duty applications.
Sewing: The studs and bars are sewn directly to the fabric using thread. Best suited for lightweight uses where maximum security is not required. Sewing metal snaps may require a sturdy industrial sewing machine.
To ensure longevity, choose the correct size snaps for your fabric thickness. Larger diameter snaps are generally needed for heavier materials like denim.
Creative Ways To Use Metal Snap Buttons
Beyond basic functionality, metal snap buttons can provide a creative avenue for self-expression and fashionably embellishing your clothing designs:
- Waistbands: Snap closures instead of buttonholes and buttons on jeans, trousers and skirts.
- Collar Closures: Replace traditional shirt studs for a casual yet durable closure.
- Cuffs: Snaps can cuff sleeves on shirts and blouses in lieu of button sleeves.
- Decorative Closure: Add multiple snaps in fun patterns as an ornamental fastener.
- Bra Accessories: Attach to bra straps to hold back shoulders or conceal straps.
- Handbags: Use as an alternate closure instead of zippers or clasps.
- Kidswear: Integrate into onesies, rompers and children’s overalls.
- Jewelry: Attach to bracelets, necklaces and anklets for adjustable fit.