Short answer: most garment buttons run $0.02–$0.36 per piece ex-works Wenzhou, decided mainly by material. Resin shirt buttons are cheapest at about $0.02–$0.06; zinc-alloy metal buttons with an engraved logo run $0.06–$0.36. Standard MOQ is 1,000 pieces per colour and size, and many stock styles start at 100.
Price by button type
These are the real spans across the 500 button styles we currently list. The left column is what a first production order at MOQ typically costs; the right is where the unit price settles on repeat volume.
| Button type | At 1,000 pcs | At 10,000 pcs+ | What pushes it to the top of the range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin / polyester | ~$0.06 | from ~$0.02 | Thickness, pearl or shell effects, dye-to-match colour |
| Metal (zinc alloy, brass) | ~$0.36 | from ~$0.06 | Plating type, 3D emboss mold, enamel fill, size |
| Snap fasteners (per set) | ~$0.07 | from ~$0.03 | Brass vs steel, cap engraving, spring type |
| Jeans buttons & rivets (per set) | ~$0.12 | from ~$0.04 | Antique finishes, logo depth, shank length |
| Natural (corozo, horn, wood, coconut) | ~$0.18 | from ~$0.03 | Material grade, hand polishing, colour consistency |
| Decorative (rhinestone, pearl, fabric-covered) | ~$0.20 | from ~$0.05 | Stone count, setting labour, plating of the base |
Indicative FOB Wenzhou, taken from live listings in our own catalogue, July 2026. Your quote moves with size, finish and logo work.
Other garment trims, same basis
| Trim | At 1,000 units | At volume |
|---|---|---|
| Eyelets & grommets | ~$0.05 | from ~$0.02 |
| Cord stoppers / cord locks | ~$0.24 | from ~$0.03 |
| Buckles & strap adjusters | ~$0.36 | from ~$0.06 |
| Zippers | ~$0.26 | from ~$0.15 |
| Cords, webbing & tapes (per metre) | ~$0.10 | from ~$0.06 |
| Metal labels & logo plates | ~$1.40 | from ~$0.70 |
What MOQ actually means here
MOQ is counted per colour and per size, which is the detail that surprises most first-time buyers. Three colours of the same button is three MOQs, not one.
| Order type | Quantity | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Stock / small lot | 100–300 pcs | Confirming colour, weight and feel before committing |
| Standard production MOQ | 1,000 pcs per colour & size | Most production orders |
| Volume | 10,000 pcs and up | Repeat programmes, best unit price |
The five things that actually move your price
- Material. This is the single biggest lever — the spread between resin and plated metal is roughly 6× at the same quantity.
- Plating and finish. Standard nickel or gold plating sits at the bottom of the range; antique, matte, gun-metal and enamel-fill finishes add process steps and cost.
- Logo method. Laser engraving carries no tooling charge. A 3D embossed logo needs a mold, which is a one-time $40–80 depending on complexity.
- Size (ligne). A 32L coat button uses far more material than an 18L shirt button. Our range runs 14L–60L.
- Quantity. Our own listings show a 3–6× spread between the MOQ price and the volume price on the same style.
Worked example: 5,000 custom-logo shirt buttons
An 18L resin shirt button, dyed to a Pantone reference, with a laser-engraved brand mark:
| 5,000 buttons at the mid-tier unit price (~$0.04) | $200 |
| Laser engraving setup | no tooling charge |
| Lab dip + pre-production sample | free on stock colours, 5–7 days |
| Ex-works total | about $200, i.e. ~$0.04 per button |
Switch that same order to zinc alloy with an antique finish and a 3D embossed logo, and the button line moves to roughly $300–$1,800 plus a one-time $40–80 mold. Freight is quoted separately by lane and weight — ask us or your forwarder, it is not built into the unit prices above.
Six ways to bring the cost down without cutting quality
- Consolidate colours. Since MOQ is per colour, dropping from four colourways to two halves your minimum commitment.
- Stay on standard ligne sizes. Non-standard sizes can mean new tooling.
- Use laser engraving for short runs. It skips the mold fee entirely; save the 3D mold for styles you will reorder.
- Take standard plating where the design allows, and put the budget into the buttons the customer actually sees.
- Buy the year in one PO and schedule releases. You get the volume tier without warehousing it all at once.
- Ask which stock styles fit. Stock styles ship from 100 pcs and skip sampling time altogether.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom buttons?
1,000 pieces per colour and size for custom production. Many stock styles are available from 100 pieces, which is the usual route for sampling or a capsule run.
How much does a button mold cost?
A one-time $40–80 for a 3D embossed logo mold, depending on complexity. Laser-engraved logos need no mold at all.
Are samples free?
Stock samples are free. Custom samples take 5–7 days and we confirm the cost with you before starting, since it depends on the tooling involved.
Why do metal buttons cost more than resin ones?
Three reasons stack up: the raw zinc alloy or brass costs more than polyester resin, plating is a separate process step, and metal styles more often carry an embossed logo that needs a mold.
Do these prices include shipping?
No. All figures are ex-works Wenzhou. Freight depends on destination, weight and whether you go courier, air or sea, so it is quoted separately.
How long does production take?
Samples in 5–7 days, bulk production typically 10–15 days after sample approval.
