Custom buttons have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 5,000 pieces. We can provide design work for your brand upfront. Custom brass buttons generally cost €200, while Zamac buttons cost €400 (prices for enameled or other specialty button types may vary depending on the design). Since molds are required for production, we are unable to provide physical samples before the final run.
Brass vs Zamac Buttons
Zamac vs. Brass: Technical & Production Comparison
| Feature / Metric | Zamac (Zinc Alloy) | Brass |
| Primary Base Metal | Zinc (alloyed with aluminum, magnesium, copper) | Copper & Zinc alloy |
| Manufacturing Method | Die-Casting: Liquid metal is injected into a steel mold cavity. | Stamping: High-pressure press stamps the shape from a flat metal sheet. |
| Design / Logo Capability | Excellent (3D): Perfect for complex, curved shapes, sharp relief details, hollowed backs, and intricate borders. | Good (2D): Best for flat or slightly domed surfaces, simple embossed/debossed line work. |
| Average Mold Fee (approx.) | Higher: ~€400 (requires precision steel injection molds). | Lower: ~€200 (requires stamping dies). |
| Weight & Feel | Heavy & Solid: Feeling of premium luxury due to the solid cast density. | Lightweight: Hollow-backed shell wrapped around a core pin. |
| Rust & Wash Resistance | Moderate: Naturally oxidizes if the protective electroplating layer chips during harsh stone or acid washing. | Excellent: 100% rust-proof. Extremely durable under heavy industrial chemical washes. |
| Tensile / Pull Strength | Good, but more rigid. Extreme shear stress can cause it to snap. | Excellent. Ductile metal that bends rather than breaks under heavy physical stress. |
| Needle Detector Test | Riskier: Low-purity alloys can contain trace ferrous elements that trigger detection machines. | Highly Safe: Pure brass is non-magnetic, ensuring zero false alarms during retail export scans. |
Which one should you choose?
Brass is way more classic. If button is not centerpiece of your model brass is safer. Diesel, G-Star RAW, Replay, Calvin Klein Jeans, Armani Exchange kind of brands use zamac buttons.
Choose Zamac if your design features a prominent, highly detailed 3D brand logo, you want a heavy “premium weight” button, and you have the budget to cover the higher upfront mold costs (€400).
Choose Brass if you want a classic heritage look with a lower mold investment (€200), and you must guarantee trouble-free needle detection for export.