Garment Fastenings & Clothes Closures

The difference comes down to fabric weight, visual style, and installation technique. Sew-on press studs (snap fasteners) feature small pre-drilled holes around their outer rims, allowing them to be hand-stitched directly onto fabric linings; they are lightweight, hidden from view, and ideal for cardigans, shirts, and delicate closures. Conversely, heavy-duty non-sew snaps (such as our Anorak/Jacket Snaps H4070) are metal rivet-style fasteners that clamp permanently through the fabric using a specialized tool; they are highly visible on the outside of garments and engineered to handle intense physical tension on rainwear, sportswear, and coats.

Selecting the right snap fastener (press stud) size is essential to ensure your closures don’t tear fine fabrics or pull open too easily. We stock an exact sizing matrix of cards to suit every project:

• 8mm (Size 1) & 10mm (Size 2): Tiny, low-profile snaps perfect for fine babywear, sheer blouses, and delicate dress linings.

• 11mm (Size 7) & 15-20mm (Size 10): Highly versatile mid-range sizes ideal for standard cardigans, shirt collars, cushions, and lightweight bags.

• 24mm (Size 12): Jumbo-sized snap fasteners designed to provide maximum holding strength on heavy winter coats, dense wool jackets, and luggage.

Non-sew fasteners like our Anorak H4070 jacket snaps and colourful fashion snap fasteners are installed mechanically using our dedicated Tool Set for Fashion Snaps. Rather than sewing, you punch a neat hole in your fabric panel where you want the snap located. You then insert the decorative cap and post through the hole, sandwiching the fabric in between. Placing the metal setting tool over the post, you strike it firmly with a hammer; this collapses the central metal rivet column, locking the snap permanently and cleanly into place.

Standard flat buttons are perfect for shirts and bedding, but they lie too close to the fabric to accommodate bulky layers. Shanked buttons (which feature a hollow loop on the back instead of holes on the face) lift the button body slightly off the fabric, providing the vital clearance required for thick tailored jackets and blazers to overlap cleanly. Toggle buttons (such as our 30mm bronze and imitation bone chestnut toggles) are long, barrel-shaped fasteners paired with rope or cord loops. Because they are highly tactile and easy to grasp, they are the gold standard closure choice for heavy winter duffle coats and thick wool outerwear.