No-Thread-Show Hinged Octagonal Fashion Button

Give a clean look to your fashion with a hinged-cover over your sewn buttons. These octagonal buttons have a print-in-place hinge & snap-clasp to cover the threads. In addition to your choice of colors, the look can be changed based on your printer's bed surface. Gloss or silk filament printed on a smooth surface will have a glossy look. Printing on textured surface with pearl or glitter filament gives a fantastic sparkle. Printing on a satin surface leaves a matte top surface that is sure to impress.

There are 3 button sizes that have been tested on Prusa MK3S & Prusa Mini printers: 20x5 mm, 16x4 mm, & 12x3 mm. Choose the button size that meets your need.

(It's probably OK to scale up the size of the largest button, but the hinge & clip tolerances will become looser. I adjusted the tolerance to print the hinge correctly for each button size. I believe 12x3 mm is the smallest that can be printed with 0.4mm nozzle diameter. If you want to print smaller buttons with a smaller nozzle, drop me a message & I'll see what I can do.)

The print surfaces tested were smooth, textured, & satin. Only PLA has been tested so far.

The provided 3MF files have 2 mesh bodies that are already aligned for proper printing & functioning of the hinges & clips. Be certain to keep them aligned when importing or moving them in your slicer.

The 20x5 & 16x4 mm buttons should be sliced & printed 0.15 mm QUALITY layer settings. The 12x3 mm button needs 0.10 mm DETAIL settings.

After printing, you will need to bend the hinges back & forth a few times to break them loose. Then you can clip them shut (you'll be able to open them again). Sew the open buttons on as you would normal buttons, but then fold the hinges over & clip them shut. There is space inside to allow a reasonable number of thread loops. The top surface of each closed button is flat with no threads exposed. There is a detent on the opening edge of the button to allow it to be opened with a fingernail, small screwdriver, or butter-knife.

I can't wait to see how you will use these buttons on your clothing. Be sure to post a Make to let us see!