Button die

Upholstery Button Die for Fabric-Covered Buttons

This upholstery button die is made for producing neat, consistent fabric-covered furniture buttons using compatible button shells and backs.

Available in sizes 24, 30, 36 and 44, the die is suitable for standard upholstery fabrics and can be used for button production across furniture manufacture, headboards, traditional upholstery, restoration and deep-buttoning work.

Using the correct die helps form the covering fabric smoothly around the button shell while securing the chosen button back to create a professional finished upholstery button.

Product Specification

• Product type: Upholstery button die
• Available sizes: 24, 30, 36 and 44
• Application: Fabric-covered upholstery button making
• Material suitability: Standard upholstery fabrics
• Use with: Matching button shells and compatible button backs
• Requires: Compatible button press
• Suitable for: Upholstery workshops, furniture manufacture and restoration

What Is an Upholstery Button Die?

An upholstery button die is the shaped tooling used inside a button press to form fabric around a button shell and assemble the shell with its chosen back.

The die holds and forms the components accurately so the finished button has a consistent shape and neatly wrapped fabric edge.

A typical button-making setup includes:

Button die aluminium shell upholstery fabric button back compatible button press

The button size, shell, back and die must all be correctly matched.

Making Fabric-Covered Upholstery Buttons

Fabric-covered buttons are widely used throughout furniture and upholstery work.

Typical applications include:

• Deep-buttoned headboards
• Sofa backs
• Armchairs
• Footstools
• Ottomans
• Cushions
• Upholstered bed panels
• Decorative wall panels
• Furniture restoration
• Replacement furniture buttons

Using a proper button die allows multiple covered buttons to be produced to a consistent size and finish.

Available Button Die Sizes

Size 24 Button Die

The size 24 die is suited to smaller covered upholstery buttons where a compact decorative detail is required.

Use with matching size 24 button shells and compatible backs.

Size 30 Button Die

Size 30 is a useful general-purpose upholstery button size for headboards, furniture and decorative buttoning.

Use with matching size 30 button components.

Size 36 Button Die

The size 36 die produces a larger covered button with greater visual presence.

It is particularly useful for deep-buttoned headboards, sofa backs and larger decorative upholstery work.

Size 44 Button Die

Size 44 is the largest option in this standard die range and produces a covered upholstery button.

It is suitable where the button is intended to form a prominent decorative feature.

Always match the die size to the corresponding button shell and back.

Use with Aluminium Button Shells

The visible face of a fabric-covered button is formed using a compatible Aluminium Button Shell.

aluminium button shells are available in corresponding upholstery button sizes, allowing the shell and die to be matched correctly.

The shell is positioned in the die with the prepared upholstery fabric and pressed to form the finished covered face.

Choosing the Correct Button Back

The button die can be used as part of a button-making system with different back styles according to how the finished button will be fitted.

Wire Backs

Button Wire Backs provide a metal loop for attaching upholstery twine.

They are particularly useful for traditional and deep-buttoned upholstery where the button is pulled through the furniture using twine.

Prong Backs

Button Prong Backs use long prongs that pass through suitable upholstery constructions and are secured from the reverse.

They are useful for headboards, upholstered panels and other suitable furniture applications.

Hook Backs

Hook Backs create a covered button that hooks onto a prepared twine loop.

This provides another fixing option for suitable deep-buttoned furniture.

Tape Backs

Tape Backs are designed to accept long and short button tapes for through-buttoning cushions, caravan seating and bedding applications.

The correct back should be selected according to the furniture construction rather than appearance alone.

Cutting Fabric for Covered Buttons

Before pressing a button, the covering fabric should be cut accurately.

Use a matching Fabric Cutter to prepare consistently sized fabric circles.

Accurate cutting helps:

• Provide enough fabric to wrap the shell
• Reduce excessive material inside the button
• Create cleaner folds
• Improve edge coverage
• Produce more consistent finished buttons
• Reduce wasted fabric and button components

Always test the selected fabric before starting a larger production run.

How to Make an Upholstery Button with a Button Die

Select Matching Components

Choose the correct:

• Button die size
• Aluminium shell size
• Button back size
• Fabric cutter
• Upholstery fabric

All button components must be compatible.

Cut the Upholstery Fabric

Use the correct fabric cutter to prepare a clean circular piece of fabric.

Position the fabric centrally so it forms evenly around the shell.

Position the Shell and Fabric

Place the fabric and aluminium shell into the appropriate section of the button die.

Keep the fabric centred and smooth before pressing.

Add the Button Back

Position the chosen button back correctly in the die.

The fixing style may be a wire, prong, hook, tape or another compatible button back according to the application.

Press the Button

Operate the compatible button press to bring the die components together and form the finished covered button.

Remove the button and check that:

• The fabric is centred
• The edges are securely retained
• The button back is correctly attached
• There are no loose folds
• The shell has not been distorted

Button Die for Headboard Buttons

Fabric-covered buttons are widely used for upholstered headboards.

A matching button die allows consistent buttons to be produced for:

• Diamond-buttoned headboards
• Square button patterns
• Upholstered bedheads
• Decorative bed panels
• Feature wall panels

Using the same die, shell and fabric-cutting method throughout the job helps keep every button consistent.

Button Die for Deep-Buttoned Furniture

Deep-buttoned furniture often requires a large number of matching covered buttons.

Applications include:

• Chesterfield-style furniture
• Sofa backs
• Armchairs
• Ottomans
• Footstools
• Headboards
• Upholstered wall panels

A dedicated upholstery button die is especially useful for this type of work because consistency between buttons has a noticeable effect on the finished appearance.

Standard Button Die or Thick Material Button Die?

This standard upholstery button die is intended for conventional upholstery fabrics.

For leather, vinyl or particularly heavy fabric, use the specialist Button Die for Leather, Vinyl & Thick Fabric.

Thicker covering materials create more bulk around the shell and can require different tooling to form the button correctly.

Choose the specialist die when working with:

• Leather
• Faux leather
• Upholstery vinyl
• Thick woven fabric
• Heavy upholstery material

Selecting the correct die for the covering material helps reduce damaged shells, poorly formed buttons and wasted material.

Button Die and D-1 Button Press

The D-1 Button Press provides a straightforward hand-operated solution for workshops producing covered upholstery buttons.

A press and correctly matched die provide the controlled pressure required to assemble the button consistently.

This combination is useful for:

• Upholstery workshops
• Furniture repairs
• Headboard manufacture
• Bespoke furniture production
• Replacement button making
• Regular covered-button work

Button Die and TEP-2 Press

The TEP-2 Press is a hand press that can be fitted with interchangeable dies.

In addition to button-making applications, the TEP-2 can also accept suitable tooling for press studs and rivets, making it useful for workshops carrying out a variety of upholstery and trimming jobs.

Always use the correct die or attachment for the component being fitted.

Upholstery Button Dies for Furniture Restoration

A button die is also useful when reproducing missing or damaged covered buttons on existing furniture.

Before making replacements, check:

• Existing button diameter
• Button-back type
• Covering material
• Original fabric thickness
• Fixing method
• Button spacing
• Button depth

Matching the original button size and construction helps replacement buttons blend more naturally with existing upholstery.

Upholstery Button Dies for Trade Workshops

Button dies are particularly useful for:

• Professional upholsterers
• Headboard manufacturers
• Furniture manufacturers
• Furniture restoration workshops
• Soft furnishing businesses
• Contract furniture manufacturers
• Automotive and trimming workshops
• Bespoke furniture makers

For standard fabric-covered button production, combine the die with matching shells, button backs, a fabric cutter and a compatible button press.

Browse Button Parts for aluminium shells, wire backs, prong backs, hook backs, tape backs, washers and related button components.

Browse Buttoning Tools for presses, cutters, specialist dies and button-fitting equipment.

Browse Buttoning Parts & Equipment for the wider professional upholstery buttoning range.

For help choosing the correct die, shell, button back or button press, contact us.

Upholstery button die for producing neat, consistent fabric-covered furniture buttons using compatible button shells and backs.

• Available in sizes 24, 30, 36 and 44
• made for standard upholstery fabric
• Produces professional fabric-covered buttons
• Use with matching aluminium button shells and button backs
• Suitable for headboards, sofas, chairs, footstools and deep-buttoned upholstery
• Use it for professional upholstery workshops and furniture manufacture
• Use with a compatible button press

Pair with matching Aluminium Button Shells and the appropriate button back for the required fixing method.

For accurate fabric preparation, use a matching Fabric Cutter before pressing the button.

Working with leather, vinyl or particularly heavy fabric? Use the specialist Button Die for Leather, Vinyl & Thick Fabric.

see the Buttoning Tools range for presses, cutters, dies and button-fitting equipment.