Long / Short tapes (1000pcs)

Upholstery Long / Short Button Tapes for Cushion Buttoning

These upholstery long and short button tapes are made for use with compatible tape-backed covered buttons to create a practical through-button fixing for cushions, mattresses and other suitable upholstered products.

Supplied in packs of 1,000, the tapes are available in a choice of lengths from 30mm to 120mm, allowing the fixing system to be selected according to the depth and construction of the finished upholstery.

They are particularly useful for caravan cushions, upholstered seating, bedding manufacture and other applications where a covered button needs to pass through a padded construction and be secured on the reverse.

Product Specification

• Product type: Upholstery long / short button tape
• Pack quantity: 1,000
• Available lengths: 30mm, 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, 110mm and 120mm
• Application: Through-buttoning cushions and upholstered furniture
• Use with: Compatible tape backs and covered button shells
• Suitable for: Cushions, caravan seating, bedding and furniture manufacture

What Are Upholstery Button Tapes?

Button tapes are fixing components used to secure fabric-covered upholstery buttons through cushions and other padded furniture constructions.

They work with compatible Tape Backs fitted into the rear of a covered button.

The tape provides the connection through the upholstery, allowing the button to be pulled to the required depth and secured from the reverse.

Common terms for this type of fixing include:

• Upholstery button tapes
• Cushion button tapes
• Long button tapes
• Short button tapes
• Through-button tapes
• Tape-back button fixings
• Caravan cushion button fixings
• Bedding button tapes

How Do Long / Short Button Tapes Work?

A typical tape-backed buttoning arrangement uses a covered button on the visible face of the cushion and a tape fixing passing through the cushion interior.

The basic arrangement is:

Covered button tape back button tape cushion or padding secure fixing on reverse

In a typical caravan cushion application, a short tape section fits into the covered button, passes through the cushion and is secured with the longer section on the underside.

This creates a through-buttoned appearance without using conventional buttoning twine.

Use with Upholstery Tape Backs

These button tapes are specifically designed to work with Tape Backs.

Tape backs are metal upholstery button backs used with compatible aluminium shells to produce a covered button capable of accepting long or short tapes.

A complete covered button assembly can include:

• Aluminium button shell
• Upholstery fabric
• Tape back
• Long or short button tape

All components should be selected to suit the required button size and upholstery construction.

Long / Short Tapes for Caravan Cushions

One of the most useful applications for tape-backed buttons is caravan seating.

Caravan cushions frequently use through-buttoning to:

• Hold the cushion shape
• Control the filling or foam
• Create decorative depressions
• Maintain a neat seat or back profile
• Reproduce original caravan upholstery detailing

The covered button sits on the visible surface while the tape passes through the cushion and is secured underneath.

This method is particularly useful where access to the back or base of the cushion is available.

Upholstery Button Tapes for Motorhome and Campervan Cushions

Tape-backed button fixings can also be suitable for motorhome and campervan upholstery.

Typical applications include:

• Seat cushions
• Back cushions
• Dinette seating
• Bed conversion cushions
• Removable upholstered panels
• Replacement leisure-vehicle cushions

When replacing original buttoning, select a tape length and button system appropriate to the depth of the existing cushion.

Button Tapes for Bedding Applications

Long and short tapes are also widely used within the bedding industry.

Through-buttoning can be incorporated into suitable:

• Mattresses
• Upholstered bed products
• Bed cushions
• Padded bedding components
• Upholstered mattress-style products

The tape system allows the button to be secured through deeper padded constructions where a direct surface fixing would not be suitable.

Choosing the Correct Button Tape Length

Available lengths are:

• 30mm
• 60mm
• 75mm
• 90mm
• 110mm
• 120mm

The correct length depends on the depth and construction of the upholstered item.

Factors to consider include:

• Cushion thickness
• Foam depth
• Additional fibre or wadding
• Cover thickness
• Required button depth
• Rear fixing method

Choose a tape length that allows the button to pass through the complete upholstery construction while leaving sufficient material for secure fitting.

Button Tapes for Through-Buttoned Cushions

Through-buttoning is used where a button on the face of the cushion needs to be mechanically connected through the complete cushion depth.

This can help create:

• Decorative button details
• Controlled cushion depressions
• Traditional furniture styling
• Replacement buttoning
• Consistent cushion shaping

The amount of tension applied will influence the finished depth of the button.

Avoid excessive tension that may unnecessarily distort the foam, filling or upholstery cover.

Making Covered Buttons for Button Tapes

The visible upholstery button can be produced using compatible Aluminium Button Shells and a matching tape back.

The fabric is formed around the aluminium shell using the correct button-making equipment.

For regular production, use a matching Button Die and suitable button press.

Accurately made covered buttons provide:

• Consistent button size
• Neater fabric coverage
• Better alignment
• Reliable attachment of the button back
• A more professional finished appearance

Cutting Fabric for Covered Buttons

Covered buttons require accurately sized fabric circles.

Use a Fabric Cutter to prepare consistent covering pieces for button manufacture.

The correct cut size depends on:

• Button shell size
• Fabric thickness
• Material stretch
• Button-back type

Always test the complete button assembly before beginning a large production run.

Button Tapes or Wire Back Buttons?

Long and short tapes provide a different fixing method from conventional Button Wire Backs.

Choose button tapes with tape backs when:

• A tape fixing suits the cushion construction
• Caravan or bedding-style through-buttoning is required
• A direct tape connection through the cushion is preferred
• The original furniture already uses a tape-backed system

Choose wire backs when:

• Upholstery twine is being used
• Traditional deep buttoning is required
• A tied fixing is preferred
• A wire loop is needed behind the covered button

Button Tapes or Prong Back Buttons?

Button Prong Backs use long metal prongs rather than flexible button tape.

Choose tape-backed buttons where:

• A flexible through-cushion fixing is required
• The furniture already uses tape buttons
• Caravan or bedding applications call for this system

Choose prong-backed buttons where:

• A rigid mechanical fixing is preferred
• The prongs can pass directly through the upholstery
• A washer can secure the prongs from the reverse

Button Tapes or Hook Back Buttons?

Hook Backs create covered buttons designed to hook onto an upholstery twine loop.

Tape backs use a different system in which the fixing tape itself passes through the upholstered construction.

The correct choice depends on:

• Existing furniture construction
• Cushion depth
• Access to the reverse
• Required fixing method
• Original button system

Button Tapes or Contra Buttons?

Contra Buttons are commonly positioned on the reverse of cushions as an anchor for conventional through-buttoning.

Button tapes provide a different fixing method and are designed specifically to work with compatible tape backs.

When repairing existing furniture, matching the original fixing system is generally the most straightforward approach.

Replacing Button Tapes on Existing Cushions

Long and short tapes are useful when repairing cushions where the original tape fixing has failed or the covered button needs replacing.

Before removing the old buttoning, check:

• Existing tape length
• Cushion depth
• Button size
• Button-back type
• Original fixing position
• Required button depression
• Condition of the foam and cover

Recording the original construction makes it easier to reproduce the finished appearance.

Button Tapes for Upholstery and Furniture Manufacture

Button tapes are suitable for:

• Professional upholsterers
• Caravan upholstery workshops
• Motorhome converters
• Cushion manufacturers
• Bedding manufacturers
• Furniture manufacturers
• Furniture repair workshops
• Contract upholstery businesses

The 1,000-piece pack size makes the product particularly suitable for workshops carrying out regular production or replacement buttoning work.

Complete Your Tape-Back Buttoning System

For a complete tape-backed upholstery button, combine the tapes with suitable Tape Backs and Aluminium Button Shells.

For manufacturing fabric-covered buttons, browse Buttoning Tools for button dies, presses and fabric cutters.

Browse Button Parts for alternative button backs, washers and fixing systems.

Browse Buttoning Parts & Equipment for the wider range of professional upholstery buttoning components and equipment.

For help choosing the correct button tape, button back or covered-button components, contact us.

Upholstery long and short button tapes for securing fabric-covered buttons through cushions, mattresses and suitable upholstered furniture.

• Pack of 1,000 button tapes
• Available in 30mm, 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, 110mm and 120mm lengths
• made for use with compatible tape-backed upholstery buttons
• Suitable for through-buttoning cushions and padded upholstery
• Commonly used for caravan cushions and bedding applications
• Provides a practical alternative to traditional twine fixing
• Suitable for furniture manufacture, cushion production and upholstery repair

Use with compatible Tape Backs fitted into a fabric-covered button.

For making covered buttons, combine with matching Aluminium Button Shells and suitable Buttoning Tools.

Browse Button Parts for alternative button backs, shells, washers and fixing components.