Celluloid
Celluloid is an early thermoplastic resin made by adding a plasticizer to nitrocellulose as the main ingredient, and it is a material that was once used for apparel buttons and other items.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Material Characteristics
Celluloid is a resin made by adding camphor and other substances to nitrocellulose. It is easy to create an appearance similar to ivory, tortoiseshell, horn, and similar materials, and it has been used for buttons and decorative items as an early plastic material.
On the other hand, celluloid is vulnerable to heat and flame, and it may discolor, shrink, or crack over time. In today’s apparel buttons, more stable materials such as polyester resin and urea resin are often used.
Shapes and Size Indication
Celluloid buttons include shapes such as two-hole, four-hole, and cat-eye styles with holes on the surface for sewing, as well as shank styles with a foot on the back. Holed buttons are used for shirts and blouses, while shank buttons are used for front openings where thickness and a three-dimensional look are desired.
Button diameter is expressed in mm and lignes. Lignes are a traditional unit of measurement for buttons, and in specifications, listing the diameter in mm as well helps align understanding among planning, production, and inspection.
- Check the number of holes, hole diameter, and hole spacing.
- For shank buttons, check the shank height and inner diameter.
- Set the buttonhole length based on the button’s maximum diameter and thickness.
Main Applications and Selection
Celluloid may be seen in vintage garment accessories or as costume buttons that reproduce older designs. When considering applications, judge the suitability of the material not only by appearance but also by washing method, storage environment, and the load during sewing.
When a celluloid-like texture is desired for mass-produced apparel, one option is to compare current resin buttons by color pattern, translucency, thickness, and gloss. Since the name celluloid may sometimes refer to the look rather than the actual material, the material specification should be checked.
Attachment and Handling Precautions
Holed buttons should be sewn on with slight slack between the button and the fabric, and thread shank wrapping should be added if necessary. If they are tightened too much, stress will concentrate on the button and fabric. For shank buttons, do not draw the thread too tightly into the base of the shank, and check for looseness and thread breakage.
Handle celluloid away from high temperatures, flame, and strong light for long periods. Since resistance to washing, dry cleaning, and ironing varies depending on the individual item and processing condition, perform tests including accessories before product release and confirm whether they comply with washing instructions.
- Do not apply the iron directly to the button; use a pressing cloth if necessary.
- Inspect for discoloration, whitening, stickiness, and cracks.
- Do not store in sealed high-temperature environments or near flame.
Differences from Similar Terms
Celluloid is a material name, while two-hole buttons, four-hole buttons, cat-eye buttons, and shank buttons are names that indicate the hole or shank structure. Even with the same celluloid material, multiple structures are possible, so material and shape should be specified separately.
Polyester buttons, urea buttons, and acrylic buttons are also resin buttons, but their raw materials and properties differ from celluloid. Even if the appearance is similar, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and long-term change are not uniform, so do not judge them as equivalent based on the material name alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can celluloid buttons be machine washed at home?
There is no uniform answer. Celluloid may change in appearance or condition due to heat, light, detergent, friction, and other factors. For products intended for home washing or dry cleaning, it is necessary to evaluate in advance by combining the actual fabric, sewing specifications, and washing conditions.
Should I specify lignes or mm?
Lignes are sometimes used in button transactions, but in planning documents and sewing specifications, listing the diameter in mm as well is practical. It makes it easier to confirm consistency with buttonhole dimensions and facing width, and also helps reduce differences in size recognition with suppliers.
Are celluloid buttons and polyester buttons the same?
No, they are not the same. Both are resin materials that may be used for buttons, but celluloid is an early resin whose main component is nitrocellulose, and it differs from polyester buttons in composition, heat resistance, and long-term change tendencies. Check the material indication when selecting them.
