Rivets

Most rivets are made of metals. The cap or head of the rivet is sometimes engraved with designs or includes crystals or semi-precious stones that make them decorative fasteners. Rivet fasteners are generally permanently attached.

Where to Use Rivets

There are many types of rivets and each type is designed for different types of fastening and other uses. They are widely used to securely join pieces of fabric and other materials together, such as in leather bags, belts, shoes, jean jackets and other thick garments, upholstery and canvas items.

They’re also available in different materials, sizes and finishes.

More plain rivets that look like studs are useful for more utilitarian projects such as shop aprons, sails, awnings, canvas signages and furniture covers.

Types of Rivets for Clothing and Accessories

We have different styles of rivets, including:

Prong Rivet – This decorative rivet has 2 or 4 pointed teeth / legs that stick out from the head or cap and pierce through the thickness of the material where they will be attached. Then, the teeth or legs are bent to the material to secure the prong rivet. No holes are needed to install prong rivets. Prong rivets of different materials, sizes and designs (dome, flat round, cone, floral, pearl, and other colored semi-precious stones, pyramid, clover, etc.) are available.

Tubular Rivets and washers - Tubular rivets are used for heavy-duty applications like webbing and leather products. This rivet has a shallow hole at the tip, opposite the head. This hole causes the tubular portion of the rivet to spread roll outward around the hole when force is applied. Tubular rivets require roughly ¼ the force needed to attach solid rivets

Washers - Metal flat washers are most often used with tubular rivets as spacers. If the hole where the rivet will be inserted has a larger diameter than needed, use a washer.

Single- And Double-Sided Cap Rivets - There are two parts to a cap rivet: the cap and the shaft. A double-cap or double sided rivet is used when a finished appearance on both sides of the project is required.

Single cap rivets only have one cap and are suitable to use where only one side is visible, as in the bag lining.  

Jeans Buttons and Rivets - Jeans buttons are two-piece rivets, that hold the waistband together snugly through a buttonhole.

Jeans rivets are placed on areas of the jeans that are most likely to be pulled apart by strain or movement and help hold the fabric together, thereby making the part last longer.

Spike rivets - Spike rivets are used to decorate clothes, bags, shoes, belts, fashion accessories and various leather craft. Sam Browne Button & Screw - This screw back rivet is not permanently attached which makes future replacement of color and design change easy. You can unscrew to remove the button. They are available in various sizes and finishes and ideal for use on bags, purses, packages, leather, crafts, ribbons, belts, and other materials. 

Important Factors in Choosing the Right Rivets

In choosing the right rivet, the important factors to consider aside from the design are the size and material or finish.

Material or Finish

Check if the rivet material or finish is suitable for the material or the environment where it will be exposed. For example, it should be corrosion-resistant if the rivet will be subject to moisture or chemicals.

Size

The size of the cap is going to be important decoratively as it is what you see on your project. Choose a size that looks good for your application.

Check also the length of the rivet which is measured from the underside of the head to the tip of the stem against the thickness of the fabric it has to fasten or join together. The shaft of the rivet, should be slightly longer by 1/8 inch or (0.3cm.) than the total fabric thickness.

Installing Rivets

We have the needed grommet tools and accessories to attach buttons or rivets to clothing or textiles and other materials. The tools range from manual to automatic.   

For faster, more efficient and more accurate attachment of rivets, see the different heavy-duty presses here.  You can call 1(800)868-4419 / 1(213)623-8805 or email us at info@grommetsdepot.com