Plastic Buttons: Types, Uses and Selection Guide

Plastic buttons are the most common fastening used across shirts, coats and fashion garments — valued for being lightweight, low-cost relative to metal or shell, and available in a wide range of colours and finishes.

Common types of plastic buttons

• 2-hole and 4-hole buttons — the standard flat button, sewn directly through the holes. 4-hole is generally more secure than 2-hole for garments under more stress (coats, workwear).
• Shank buttons — have a small loop on the back instead of holes, sewn through the shank. Common on tailored jackets and coats where a flush, hole-free front is wanted.
• Snap-style buttons — a two-part fastening (no sewing through the button face) used where quick, repeated fastening matters, such as workwear and some casualwear.

Where plastic buttons are used

Shirts and formalwear typically use small, flat 2 or 4-hole buttons for a clean finish. Coats and outerwear often use larger shank buttons that can handle a heavier fabric weight. Fashion and export garment production spans all three types, chosen based on the specific design rather than one default.

What to specify when ordering

• Size — button diameter, usually specified in "ligne" (a traditional button-sizing unit) or millimetres.
• Hole count / shank type — 2-hole, 4-hole or shank, matched to how the garment will be sewn.
• Colour and finish — matte, glossy, pearlised or a custom colour match to the garment fabric.
• Quantity and packaging — production volumes are usually ordered by the gross or by weight; confirm your preferred unit when requesting a quote.

Specifying these up front — rather than after samples are cut — is the single biggest time-saver in a button order. See how to choose a garment accessories supplier for the broader sourcing process.

Frequently asked questions