button

A button is a disc or knob, typically 8 to 25 millimeters in diameter, attached to fabric by thread or a shank and designed to pass through a buttonhole to fasten two pieces of material together. In textile production, buttons are manufactured from shell, plastic, metal, wood, or horn, then sewn or heat-set onto garments during the finishing stage. The button sits proud of the fabric surface, with the thread or shank creating a small gap that allows it to grip securely within the hole.

Buttons fall into two main categories by attachment method: sew-through buttons, which have two or four holes drilled completely through the disc, and shank buttons, which have a hollow protrusion on the reverse side through which thread passes. Sew-through buttons are sewn directly to the garment using a buttonhole stitch; shank buttons require a thread loop or wire loop to be formed during sewing, raising the button slightly above the surface. The choice depends on fabric weight, garment type, and desired appearance.

Manufacturing and Specification

Button blanks are stamped, molded, or lathed from raw stock, then finished by edge-beveling, polishing, or coating. Plastic buttons dominate production due to cost and speed; polyester and melamine are standard materials. Shell buttons, made from shells or horn veneered with shell, command higher prices and are reserved for tailored wear. Metal buttons are used on workwear and outerwear; wood buttons appear in casual and heritage garments. Buttons must meet durability standards: they are tested for thread-pull resistance (typically 5 to 10 pounds minimum), color fastness to light and moisture, and dimensional stability.

Button sewing is performed by automated or semi-automated machines that position the button, form the thread loop or directly stitch holes, then cut and secure the thread. Modern equipment can set 50 to 100 buttons per minute on shirts and blouses. The thread used is often polyester or nylon, matched or contrasted to the garment color. Problems in button attachment include loose stitching leading to early loss, thread breakage from burrs on button edges, and misalignment causing stress on buttonholes.

The term button derives from Old French bote, meaning a knob or bud, and entered English textile vocabulary by the 14th century. Buttons remain one of the last hand-adjacent processes in mass garment production, though automation now dominates. A single shirt may carry 6 to 8 buttons; a coat or jacket 6 to 12. Button cost per unit ranges from 0.01 to 0.50 US dollars depending on material and finish, making button selection a significant factor in garment costing and perceived quality.