How to Order Custom Dyed-to-Match Buttons: A Complete Guide

Pantone color book with dyed-to-match button samples Dyed-to-match buttons next to fabric swatches Pantone pink dyed-to-match button sample

From Pantone reference to finished button — here's exactly how it works

Quick Answer

To order custom dyed-to-match buttons: (1) send us a Pantone number or ship a physical swatch to our showroom, (2) our team formulates the dye and runs your lot in a single batch for consistent color, and (3) your matched buttons ship fast from NYC. No minimums. Fast turnarounds. One flat rate per lot — whether you need 10 buttons or 10,000.

Dyed-to-match buttons are one of the fastest ways to elevate a collection. The color carries from collar to cuff, the garment feels tighter, and the buttons stop reading as an afterthought. Here is exactly how we run dye-to-match at Buttonology.

Our custom color service runs out of our NYC Garment District showroom. The process is simple, the pricing is flat per lot, and there is no minimum order. This guide walks through every step — which materials dye well, how to submit a reference, how lot pricing works, and what to expect on turnaround.

Which materials can be dyed to match?

We dye across five core materials — natural and synthetic — covering almost every production use case. Metal and glass are not available for dyed-to-match service.

If you are unsure which material best fits your garment, email info@buttonologyinc.com with the fabric and use case and we will recommend the right base.

The three-step process

1
Submit Your Color Reference
Send us a Pantone number or ship a physical swatch to our showroom. We accept fabric swatches, thread, leather, ribbon, or any color reference material. Email info@buttonologyinc.com or submit through the custom order form — we will quote within one business day.
2
We Match & Dye
Our team formulates the dye to match your reference as closely as possible. Each lot is dyed in a single batch to ensure color consistency across every button. For larger runs we provide a physical sample for approval before committing the full order.
3
Receive Your Buttons
Typical lead time is about one week from an approved reference. Your matched buttons ship from our NYC Garment District facility, and we retain a master sample from every approved lot — if you need a repeat run, we pull the original formula and your next production matches exactly.

How lot pricing works

Dyed-to-match pricing is structured around lots, not piece counts. One color dyed onto one material equals one lot — priced at a single flat rate regardless of quantity.

  • One color + one material = one lot. Whether the lot holds 5 buttons or 5,000, the price is the same flat rate.
  • Two colors on the same material = two lots. Even though the material is identical, each color is dyed in its own batch.
  • One color on two materials = two lots. A shell button and a nylon button dyed to the same shade are processed separately and count as separate lots.

This structure is what makes very small runs practical — if you only need 20 buttons in a bespoke color, you pay for one lot and nothing more.

0
Minimum Order
10 buttons or 10,000
~1 Wk
Typical Lead Time
From approved reference
1
Flat Rate per Lot
Price by lot, not quantity

Best practices before you submit

  • ✓Send a physical swatch whenever possible. Dye lots of fabric vary slightly — matching directly to the swatch your garment is cut from produces the tightest result. We accept fabric, thread, leather, or ribbon.
  • ✓Think through your lot count up front. Every color is its own lot. Every material is its own lot. Planning your full palette before you order lets you consolidate where possible.
  • ✓Commit to the material before the dye reference. The same Pantone reads slightly differently on corozo, shell, nylon, polyester, or wood. Lock in the material first, then match the color to it.
  • ✓Expect natural variation on natural materials. Corozo, shell, and wood all have subtle grain and tonal shifts. That character is part of the finished look, not a defect.
  • ✓Email us your reference today. A Pantone number, a fabric clipping, or both — send it to info@buttonologyinc.com and we will quote within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

Which button materials can be dyed to match?
We offer dyed-to-match service across five materials: corozo, shell, polyester, nylon, and wood. Each base takes color a little differently — corozo across the full Pantone range, shell with iridescence intact, polyester at any finish, nylon as a durable workwear option, and wood absorbing into the grain. Metal and glass are not available for dyed-to-match.
Is there a minimum order quantity for dyed-to-match buttons?
No. There is no minimum order quantity. Whether you need 10 buttons or 10,000, the price is one flat rate per lot.
What counts as a lot?
A lot is one color dyed onto one material. Two different colors — even on the same material — counts as two lots. The same color across two different materials, such as nylon buttons and shell buttons, also counts as two separate lots because the materials are processed separately.
Do I need a Pantone number or is a fabric swatch enough?
Either works. Send a Pantone reference or ship a physical swatch to our showroom. We accept fabric, thread, leather, ribbon, or any physical color reference material.
How long does custom dyeing take?
Typical lead time is about one week from an approved reference. Reach out with your Pantone or swatch and we will confirm current turnaround — along with any rush options — within one business day.
How accurate is the color matching?
Highly accurate. Our dyeing specialists work at fashion-grade precision and provide physical samples for approval before full runs. Minor variations between natural materials are normal and part of their character.