The Ultimate Guide to Shank Buttons - SUNMEI BUTTON (2024)

Struggling to find information on shank buttons? Here’s everything you need to know. From the different varieties of shank buttons available to how you sew them into place. So whether you’re a clothing designer, a crafter or a garment accessory retailer, check out our ultimate guide to shank buttons.

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Shank buttons (also known as shank back buttons) aren’t flat. And they don’t have holes on their surface. Instead shank buttons have a protrusion on the back (a “hidden” hole), through which thread is sewn in order to attach the button onto fabric.

Shank buttons can be made from a number of different materials. And they come with a wide variety of surface designs. These designs are uninterrupted by the sewing holes you’d get with a standard sew through button.

Shank buttons are available in a range of sizes too. Larger buttons are more suited to garments like coats. Whilst cardigans or shirts would require a smaller shank button.

Shank buttons come in a huge range of sizes, designs and styles. They can obviously be used as a fastening for items of clothing. But they can also be used as decoration on fabric items and jewellery. They can even be used in craft projects.

Whatever you want to use shank buttons for, get some inspiration with these varied styles and designs:

Looking for red shank buttons? Or navy blue shank buttons? Colorful shank buttons can be made from nylon or acrylic.

The original color of a nylon button is black or white but they can be dyed. Acrylic buttons are injected with color, rather than dyed. Acrylic shank buttons tend to have a shinier appearance than nylon shank buttons.

So which is best, sew through buttons or shank buttons?

Here we compare the two sewing shanks:

Sew through buttons have holes in the button blank (the main part of the button). There can be two or four holes, which are used to sew the buttons onto a garment.

Shank buttons have a “hidden” hole protruding from the back of the button.

Sew through buttons are usually made from resin or other types of plastic, like nylon. Holes are drilled into resin buttons after they have been formed. Whilst for nylon buttons, the holes are formed in the mold after injection.

For shank buttons, the shank may be formed in the mold along with the rest of the button. Alternatively, the shank can be created as a separate component that is then attached to the button at a later stage.

Because the shank button manufacturing process is more complicated than that of sew through buttons, shank buttons are sometimes more expensive.

Sew through buttons are the kind of button you nearly always see on shirts. Four-hole buttons are the preferred choice for heavier garments.

You’ll find shank buttons in jewellery, craft items and on a wide range of garments including coats, cardigans, sweaters, blouses and shirts. They are much better suited to heavier garments than sew through buttons.

In terms of design, flat buttons are simple, classic and often unobtrusive.

Shank buttons, on the other hand, come in a variety of different shapes and designs, making them decorative as well as functional items.

• What are you going to use the shank button for? For fastening or decoration?
• What materials, sizes, styles and colors are you looking for?
• What design are you looking for?
• And do you want to buy shank buttons in bulk?

Still got questions about buttons? Check out this article on button types if you’d like to learn even more.

Head to our product pages to discover the wide range of button styles available at SUNMEI BUTTON. And, if you’d like to see the real thing, just contact us for shank button samples. We’re always here to help!