TPU Shank Button for Upholstery — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
TPU Shank Button for Upholstery: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
TPU Shank Button is the version buyers specify for upholstery when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
TPU gives shank button its strength and surface character. In practice that means the trim behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: tighter tolerance is needed on the finished dimension. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Shank Button |
|---|---|
| Base material | TPU |
| Standard size | 3# Gauge |
| Common finishes | Enzyme Wash Finish, UV Printing, Piece-Dyed Finish |
| Processes | Laser Cutting, Water Repellent Finishing, Stone Washing |
| Typical application | Upholstery |
| Related applications | Jackets, Bags, Activewear, Baby Clothing |
| Test standard | ISO 105 Colour Fastness |
| Usual packing | 500 pieces per polybag, 2000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 3% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to ISO 105 Colour Fastness on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — elastic recovery after 30 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — ISO 105 Colour Fastness documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Bridal Gowns
- Activewear
- Jeans
- Uniforms
- Evening Wear
- Underwear
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover fabric button, pongee fabric, brocade fabric, aglet, and the processes most often paired with shank button include bonding, pu coating, heat setting.
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