Sofia Martinez
Plastic snap buttons, also known as KAM snaps, are a fun, colourful, and inventive alternative to buttons. They are quick and easy to install and can be used on a variety of items, from baby bibs to purses and pillow covers. They require no sewing and can be installed in less than a minute. To apply plastic snap buttons, you will need snap pliers or a heavy-duty press machine, and it is recommended to practice on a scrap piece of fabric first. The process involves poking a hole through the desired location, inserting the prong of the snap through the hole, and then using the pliers or machine to secure the snap in place.
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What You'll Learn
Using KAM snap pliers
KAM snap pliers are a great tool for installing plastic snap fasteners, which are a perfect alternative to buttons. They are straightforward and simple to use. Before you start, make sure you have the right size pliers for your snaps. The most common snap size is T5 (size 20), and you can buy pliers that fit this size. However, if you want to use different sizes, get pliers with corresponding plastic dies that can be changed.
To begin, mark where you want your snap to be positioned and use an awl to poke a hole. Then, put the prong of the cap through the hole from the top side of the fabric and attach the socket onto the prong from the other side. Next, take your pliers and attach the socket and the cap. Put the flat piece of the cap inside the black tray (the divot) of the pliers, making sure it fits snugly. Match the socket with the other end of the pliers, ensuring the indentation is away from the prong. When you are happy with the alignment, squeeze the handles of the pliers firmly. You will feel resistance, and you should see the post in the cap squash down. Repeat the process to attach the stud part of the snap.
To check your snaps are placed correctly, there should be a clicking sound when you open and close them. If your fabric is not firm enough, you can reinforce it with interfacing before placing the snap. To remove the snap, place the pliers on the side and squeeze to break the seal between the two components.
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Sandwiching the snap
Prepare the Fabric:
Start by laying your fabric on a flat surface, ensuring it is free of any folds or creases. Identify the exact spot where you want the snap to be placed. It is recommended to mark the spot with a fabric marker or tailor's chalk to serve as a guide.
Place the Snap Components:
Take the snap set, which typically consists of four parts: the snap cap (top button), the socket (bottom button), the stud, and the backplate. Place the socket and stud together, aligning them at the marked spot on the fabric. Ensure that the prongs of the stud pierce through the fabric.
Sandwich the Snap:
Now, it's time to layer the remaining components. Place the backplate over the prongs of the stud, making sure it is securely attached and covers the prongs completely. Then, take the snap cap and fit it onto the socket. Gently but firmly, press the snap cap and socket together. You may hear a clicking sound, indicating that they are locked in place.
Secure the Snap:
To ensure a strong and durable snap, use a snap fastening tool or a pair of flat-nose pliers to gently flatten the prongs of the stud against the backplate. Be careful not to over-flatten the prongs, as it may weaken the snap. Alternatively, some snap sets may have special prongs that require folding inward or outward, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific guidelines.
Test the Snap:
Once the snap is secured, gently tug on the snap cap and socket to ensure they are firmly attached to the fabric. Then, try snapping and unsnapping the closure a few times to test its functionality. A well-attached snap should open and close smoothly without any signs of loosening or detachment.
By following these steps, you can confidently sandwich the snap and create a secure and long-lasting plastic snap button closure. Remember to practice on scrap fabric to perfect your technique before applying snaps to your final project.
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Positioning the cap
Firstly, it is important to understand the different parts of the snap button. The cap is the outer covering of the snap, while the stud and socket are the inner parts that connect to form the closure. The cap is usually placed on the outside of the project, with the stud and socket on the inside.
Now, let's get into the step-by-step process of positioning the cap:
- Create a hole: Use an awl or a similar tool to poke a hole through the fabric where you want to place the snap. This hole should be just large enough for the prong of the backing piece to fit snugly.
- Insert the backing piece: Take the backing piece, which is the part with a prong, and insert it through the hole you just made. The prong should go through the hole from the underside of the fabric so that the backing piece sits flat against the underside.
- Position the cap: Place one of the caps over the prong on the other side of the fabric. The cap should be positioned on the right side of the fabric, directly across from the backing piece. Make sure the cap is securely fitted around the prong.
- Secure the cap: Using your thumb or a flat-headed tool, gently press down on the centre of the cap to ensure it is securely attached to the prong. You may hear a slight click or feel some resistance when the cap is properly snapped into place.
- Test the placement: Before proceeding, check that the cap is securely attached and does not wiggle or move when gentle pressure is applied. If necessary, use a small amount of adhesive or glue to ensure a firm hold, but be careful not to use too much, as it may stain the fabric.
- Repeat for additional snaps: If your project requires multiple snap buttons, repeat the above steps for each snap, ensuring that the spacing and placement are consistent.
Remember, practice makes perfect. If you are new to using plastic snap buttons, it is recommended to practice on a scrap piece of fabric before applying snaps to your final project. This will help you get a feel for the process and ensure that your actual project turns out flawlessly.
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Using a snap setting tool
Madam Sew's snap pliers are a popular choice for installing plastic snap buttons. The pliers come with everything you need: three different divots, two rods, an awl, and a screwdriver. The process is straightforward: mark the desired location of the snap, poke a hole, and put the prong of the cap through the hole from the top side of the fabric. Then, attach the socket to the prong from the other side of the fabric. Finally, place the flat piece of the cap inside the black tray (the divot) of the pliers and match the socket with the other end of the pliers, ensuring everything is aligned correctly. Squeeze the pliers to secure the snap in place. Repeat the process for the stud part, making sure no part of the button sits outside of the divot.
The Closet Core Patterns website offers a similar snap setting tool in their Kelly Anorak kits, which includes a small circular anvil and two different snap setting tools, as well as a metal hole punch and a hammer. To use this tool, start by marking the location of the snap with a pencil and making a hole with the hole punch or awl. Insert the button cap post into the hole, ensuring the cap is on the outside of the garment. Place the spring socket on the cap post, then position the base of the cap inside the indent of the anvil with the socket facing up. Place the end of the narrower tool through the socket and align it with the post. Use the hammer to strike the setting tool a few times to flatten the cap post and lock it in place. Repeat this process for all caps and sockets before installing the stud and posts.
Another option is the Snap Fastener Installation Tool from Sailrite, which requires additional components such as a button, socket, eyelet, and stud fastener. The process involves using a cutting block and a mallet to punch a hole in the desired location. Then, insert the button snap fastener component through the hole and nest it in the die with the concave side up, ensuring the button is visible on the right side of the fabric. Place the socket component on the other side and use the installation tool and mallet to hammer and flatten the rivet. Repeat the process for the bottom fabric assembly layer, inserting the eyelet through the hole and nesting it in the die with the concave side down. Place the stud component on the other side, ensuring it is positioned correctly, and use the installation tool and mallet to secure it in place.
When using any of these tools, it is important to reinforce the fabric with interfacing before placing the snap to ensure a strong hold. Additionally, practice on a scrap piece of fabric first to get a feel for the process and avoid damaging your project.
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Practising on scrap fabric
Begin by cutting a piece of scrap fabric that is slightly larger than the size of the snap button you will be using. This will give you enough space to work comfortably. If your fabric is thin or delicate, you may want to consider backing it with a piece of interfacing to provide more stability.
Using your snap button kit or individual tools, separate the two halves of the snap button—the stud and the socket. Following the instructions for your specific tool, assemble the stud and socket onto the respective pronged backs. Typically, this involves placing the pronged back through the centre of the snap button and bending the prongs inward to secure it in place.
Position one half of the snap button on the right side of your fabric, considering the placement and ensuring it is centred and aligned properly. Then, following the instructions for your specific tool, attach the snap button securely in place. Some tools may require a hammer to fix the snap button in place, while others may have a built-in press or a specific mechanism to secure the prongs.
Repeat this process for the other half of the snap button on the corresponding location of the scrap fabric. Ensure that the two halves match up and that the snap button functions properly when fastened together. Practise a few times to get a feel for the pressure and technique required for your specific tool and fabric combination.
Once you are confident and have mastered the technique on the scrap fabric, you can move on to attaching snap buttons to your actual project with precision and ease. Remember to always consider the specific instructions for your snap button kit or tool, as well as any unique characteristics of your chosen fabric.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need snap pliers, which come in kits with a few snaps or can be purchased separately. You can also use a hammer/anvil handsetter or a heavy-duty press machine.
Plastic snap buttons come in various sizes and colours. The size and colour you choose will depend on your project and personal preference.
Plastic snap buttons are quick and easy to install once you have the technique down. They require no sewing or complicated buttonholes. It is recommended to practice on a scrap piece of fabric first to get a feel for the process.
First, poke a hole through the fabric where you want to place the snap. Then, put the backing piece with a prong through the hole. Place the female snap piece on the prong, facing up. Next, nestle the backing into the black cup of the snap setting tool and push down. Finally, squeeze the snap setting tool to secure the snap.
Yes, plastic snap buttons can be removed without leaving a hole. To remove them, simply squeeze the snap sideways in your pliers to break the seal between the cap and the stud/socket.
