Quick answer: metal buttons are made from a metal alloy and finished in gold-tone, silver-tone, gunmetal or an aged brass-tone. Most have either a shank (loop) on the back or four sew-through holes, and sizes run from about 10mm to 30mm. They bring a structured, jewelry-like finish to coats, blazers, cardigans and craft projects.
Ask a tailor why they keep a tin of metal buttons on the bench and the answer usually comes back to weight. Metal sits differently on a coat. It catches the light and holds its shape through years of wear, and it gives a plain front a sense of intent that plastic rarely manages. What follows is the difference between the finishes, where each one belongs, and how to pick a set that suits your fabric.
At a Glance
- Material: Metal alloy, commonly a zinc alloy or a brass-tone alloy
- Finishes: Gold-tone, silver-tone, gunmetal, antique brass-tone, matte and enamel-look
- Back: Shank (loop) back or four-hole sew-through
- Sizes: Roughly 10mm to 30mm for most garments
- Good for: Coats, blazers, jackets, cardigans, uniforms and statement pieces
- Wholesale: Single packs for home sewing, bulk orders with trade pricing
What Are Metal Buttons?
Metal buttons are cast or stamped from a metal alloy rather than molded from resin, glass or wood, and that difference shows the moment you pick one up. They sit cool and heavy in the hand, hold fine detail such as engraving or a hammered surface, and keep their shape wash after wash. Plain polished ones slip quietly into a tailored coat. Others carry a raised crest, a leaf, a knot or a small floral motif and become the feature themselves, which is how one category ends up covering both a city overcoat and a hand-knitted cardigan.
What Are Metal Buttons Made Of?
Most metal buttons start life as a metal alloy, usually a zinc alloy or a brass-tone alloy, which is then given a surface finish. In practice the finish is what you are really choosing between, since it is the part you see.
- Gold-tone: warm and dressy, the classic pick for blazers and coats.
- Silver-tone: cool and clean, easy to pair with almost anything.
- Gunmetal: dark gray with a modern, understated edge.
- Antique brass-tone: a warm, aged look, with the finish sitting deeper in the recesses.
- Matte: low-sheen color for a quiet, contemporary finish.
- Enamel-look: a glossy color fill set into the metal, often with a bright rim.
Why Choose Metal Buttons?
Because they change a garment without touching the fabric. Swap the plastic buttons on a plain coat for gold-tone metal ones and the whole piece reads differently, at a fraction of what a new coat would cost. Metal is hard-wearing too, which matters on clothes you actually wear rather than save, and the extra weight helps a lapel or a cardigan front hang properly instead of curling. Keep a few spares in a tin and a lost button becomes a five-minute job rather than the end of the garment.
What Finishes Do Metal Buttons Come In?
Finish is where most of the decision happens. Gold-tone and aged brass-tone read traditional and warm. They flatter navy, camel, cream and the deeper autumn shades. Silver-tone and gunmetal are cooler and more contemporary, and they hold their own against gray, black, white and denim. A matte finish keeps things quiet when you would rather the buttons stayed in the background, while enamel-look metal adds a note of color to cardigans and blouses. Stuck between them? Warm gold-tone is the safe all-rounder for outerwear, and silver-tone covers most of everything else.
How Do You Choose the Right Metal Buttons?
Four checks, and you are done.
Finish and Color
The rundown above covers the tones. The question left to settle here is whether you want the buttons to disappear into the garment or to be noticed. Keeping the tone close to the fabric keeps things subtle. Going the other way, a warm gold-tone on a charcoal coat or gunmetal on cream, turns the button row into a deliberate detail.
Size
Diameter follows the weight of the fabric. Coats and jackets take the larger sizes, roughly 23mm to 30mm. Cardigans and dresses sit around 15mm to 20mm. Shirts and cuffs want something smaller, 10mm to 12mm. If you are replacing a set, measure the old button and the buttonhole before you order, because a button two millimeters too wide simply will not pass through.
Back and Attachment
Check the back before you buy. A shank button has a small loop instead of holes, so it lifts clear of the fabric and hides the stitching, which is what you want on a thick coat or a decorative front. Sew-through buttons have two or four holes, sit flat against the cloth and go on quickly, which suits shirts and lighter pieces.
Style
Plain polished buttons keep a tailored line clean. Engraved, hammered and motif buttons work as small accents. Decide how loud you want the button row to be, and pick from there.
How Do You Style Metal Buttons?
Metal buttons are an easy, low-cost way to change the feel of a garment.
- Replace the buttons on a plain coat or blazer with gold-tone metal ones and it reads as a different garment.
- Run a row of matching metal buttons down a cardigan for a polished, coordinated front.
- Use a single crest or knot button as an accent on a pocket, collar or cuff.
- Pair gold-tone with warm knits, and silver-tone or gunmetal with cooler grays and denim.
- Keep the spares for bags, brooches, hair accessories and craft projects.
Buying for a shop or brand? These metal buttons are also available for wholesale and bulk orders, with trade pricing for boutiques, makers and studios. Get in touch for a wholesale quote.
How Do You Sew On a Metal Button?
For a shank button:
- Mark the button position, thread a needle, double the thread and knot the end.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric to the mark.
- Pass the needle through the shank loop, then back down through the fabric close to where it came up.
- Repeat through the loop several times, keeping a little slack so the button sits comfortably.
- Wind the thread a few times under the button to form a neat thread shank, then knot off on the back.
For a four-hole button:
- Mark the position and bring the needle up through one hole from the back.
- Take it down through the diagonal or opposite hole to form parallel bars or a cross.
- Keep a little tension so the button sits flat, and stitch through the holes several times to secure.
- On thicker fabric, stitch over a pin or toothpick laid across the button, then slide it out and wind the thread underneath.
- Finish with a few small stitches on the back and knot the thread.
How Do You Care for Metal Buttons?
The metal itself holds up well. The finish is the part that needs looking after. Hand wash pieces with decorative metal buttons where you can, or put them in a laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Bleach and harsh cleaners dull the surface, so keep them well clear, and wipe the buttons with a soft dry cloth rather than anything abrasive. Do not run an iron straight over them, and store spares somewhere dry between projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are metal buttons made of? Most are made from a metal alloy, commonly a zinc alloy or a brass-tone alloy, then finished in gold-tone, silver-tone, gunmetal or an aged brass-tone.
Are metal buttons shank or sew-through? Both. Some have a shank (loop) back that hides the stitching, and some have two or four holes that sit flat against the fabric.
What sizes do metal buttons come in? Most run from about 10mm to 30mm. Smaller sizes suit shirts and cuffs, medium sizes suit cardigans and dresses, and larger sizes suit coats and jackets.
Which finish should I choose? Warm gold-tone and aged brass-tone suit navy, camel and earthy tones. Cooler silver-tone and gunmetal suit gray, black and denim.
Do metal buttons tarnish? Kept dry and cleaned gently, the finish holds up well. The things to avoid are bleach, harsh chemicals and prolonged moisture.
Can I put them in the washing machine? For everyday metal buttons, a gentle cycle in a laundry bag is usually fine. For decorative or enamel-look pieces, hand washing is kinder to the finish.
Can I order them in bulk? Yes. Our metal buttons are available for wholesale and bulk orders with trade pricing, alongside smaller packs for home sewing.
Rule of Thumb
Choose a shank back with a warm gold-tone or antique finish for coats and tailored pieces, and a silver-tone or gunmetal button, shank or sew-through, for everyday and casual wear.
Where to Buy Metal Buttons
Looking for a set for a particular coat or cardigan? Browse our metal buttons in gold-tone, silver-tone, gunmetal and aged brass finishes, in shapes and sizes to match the piece you have in mind. Buying for a shop or a brand? Our buttons come in wholesale and bulk orders too, with trade pricing for boutiques, makers and studios, so get in touch for a quote.
Can You Buy Metal Buttons Wholesale?
Yes. As a button manufacturer, we offer our metal buttons for wholesale and bulk orders, with trade pricing for boutiques, fashion brands, tailors and craft studios. Whether you are stocking a shop, fitting out a production run or filling craft kits, we ship factory-direct worldwide. Tell us the finishes, sizes and quantities you need, using the contact details below, and we will reply with a wholesale quote and bulk availability.
Get in Touch
Have a question about our metal buttons, or want a wholesale quote? Our customer service team is happy to help.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +86 158-8823-7906
- Address: No. 163, Hanbu Road, Qiaoxia Town, Yongjia County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, 325106
Recommended Reading
- Types of Buttons: A Guide to Styles, Materials and How to Choose
- The Complete Buying Guide to Metal Sunflower Buttons
- The Complete Buying Guide to Metal Bird Buttons