How to engage the slide show:
click on the first image on the left of the gallery below, then select the arrow at the bottom left of the enlarged image. Or you can manually go to the next slide by hovering your cursor on the middle right side then clicking the arrow that appears. Hover your cursor on the middle left side then click the arrow that appears to go backwards. Close the slide show or manual show by clicking the X button on the lower right of the image. (The image of each button is followed by an image of that button's back or reverse side.)
Acknowledgments, References and information for this category are at the bottom of this page.
Button Country
An Educational Resource for Button Collectors - originally created by Paul Rice
Section 12 : Synthetic Polymers
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin Colt Rouge Button
(movable - top unscrews from the bottom, makers mark inside)
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.1 Thermoset Types Assorted - Amino resin
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein (Brooks)
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.2 Thermoset Types Assorted - Casein
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - bakelite (Cookie)
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - British Butterscotch Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - mmetalized Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Apple Juice Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Bakelite 4-color
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Butterscotch Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Bakelite
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - reversible
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Catalin set in metal
12-1.3 Thermoset Types Assorted - Phenolic resin - Catalin
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester (Translucent)
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester Glow
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester (Embedded)
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester (Junque Deco)
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester - realistic - Beatrix Potter
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester (Embedded)
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester - realistic
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester
12-1.4 Thermoset Types Assorted - Polyester
12-2.1 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - ABS
12-2.1 Thermoplastic Types Asstorted - ABS
- Snap-together & Nylon OME
12-2.1 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - ABS - Snap-together
- Nylon OME & Pearlized DF
12-2.1 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - ABS - realistic
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin - Lucite
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin - Lucite
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin - Lucite
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin - Lucite -metal OME
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin - Plexiglass
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic shot
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin (twisted)
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin with paste OME
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin set in metal
12-2.2 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Acrylic resin in metal - Jelly Belly
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Cellulose Acetate
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Cellulose Acetate
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Cellulose Acetate
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - sculpted
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - sculpted
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate -Injection molded
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - reverse-painted
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - Coated and cut
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - paste OME
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - paste OME
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Cellulose Acetate
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst.- Cellulose Acetate - Mickey Mouse
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Cellulose Acetate
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - metalized
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - Rhodoïd
- by Lea Stein
12-2.3 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Cellulose Acetate - Rhodoïd
- by Lea Stein
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Nylon - Design Under Plastic
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon with ABS OME
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon (Snap-together)
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon (Snap-together)
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon (Snap-together)
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Asst. - Nylon
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
12-2.4 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Nylon - imitation fabric
12-2.5 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polymer Clay
12-2.5 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polymer Clay
12-2.5 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polymer Clay
12-2.5 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polymer Clay
12-2.6 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polystyrene
12-2.6 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polystyrene
12-2.6 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polystyrene
12-2.6 Thermoplastic Types Assorted - Polystyrene
- openwork with rhinestone OME
12-3 Back Marks - "Artid - Made in England"
- Black Artid is Phenolic Resin
12-3 Back Marks - "MMM"
12-3 Back Marks - "Expedit - Paris"
12-3 Back Marks - "LaMode"
12-4 Back Types - Metal Loop Shank
12-4 Back Types - Hourglass wedge
With knockout pin mark
12-4 Back Types - Snap together
12-4 Back Types - Tunnel self shank
12-4 Back Types - (Sew through)
12-4 Back Types - Curved Needle Self-Shank
12-4 Back Types - Slab
12-4 Back Types - Curved Slab
12-5 Clear Colorless
12-5 Clear Colorless
12-5 Clear Colorless
12-5 Clear Colorless with rhinestone OME
12-6 Colors Assorted - Black
12-6.1 Colors Assorted - Intermixed
12-6.2 Colors Assorted - Opaque - Colt Firearms Co.
12-6.2 Colors Assorted - Translucent & transparent
12-6.3 Colors Assorted - Opaque combined with transparent
12-6.4 Colors Assorted - Pearlized opaque
12-6.5 Colors Assorted - Transparent (colored)
12-6.6 Colors Assorted - White
12-7 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Flocked
12-7 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Flocked - Snap-together)
12-7 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Hot Stamped Foil
12-7 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Frosted Surface
12-7 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Silk Screen
12-7.1 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Cold Plastic Enamel (CPE)
12-7.2 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Metalized - Gold color
12-7.3 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Gun Metal Luster
12-7.4 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Paint
12-7.4.1 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Painted & buffed
12-7.5 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Pearlized Surface
12-7.6 Decorative Finishes (DF) - Transfer
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Enamel
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Dyed Leather
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Wood - fabric OME
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Cane raffia
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Jasperware
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Tinted metal
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Pewter
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Cinnabar
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Coral
12-8 Imitation of Other Materials - Coralene
12-8.1 Imitation of Other Materials - Ivory
12-8.1 Imitation of Other Materials - Bone
12-8.2 Imitation of Other Materials - Fabric
12-8.3 Imitation of Other Materials - Black Glass - Iridescent
12-8.3 Imitation of Other Materials - Glass
12-8.3 Imitation of Other Materials - Glass set in metal
12-8.3 Imitation of Other Materials - Glass realistic
12-8.3 Imitation of Other Materials - Rhinestones in metal
12-8.4 Imitation of Other Materials - Shell/Pearl
12-8.4 Imitation of Other Materials - Shell/Pearl
12-8.5 Imitation of Other Materials - Tortoise shell
12-8.5 Imitation of Other Materials - Molded horn
12-8.5 Imitation of Other Materials - Antler
12-8.5 Imitation of Other Materials - Horn
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Celluloid
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Fabric
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Shell
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Composition
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rafia
12-9 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Metal and rhinestone
12-9.1 OME - Colored glass & metal on Bakelite
12-9.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Clear Glass
12-9.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Clear Glass
12-9.1 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Iridiescent Black Glass
12-9.2 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Glitter
12-9.3 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Metal - Brass
12-9.3 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - White Metal
12-9.4 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Other Plastics
12-9.4 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Other plastics
12-9.5 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
12-9.5 Other Material Embellishment (OME) - Rhinestones/Pastes
12-10.1 Techniques Assorted - Canework
12-10.1 Techniques Assorted - Cookie
12-10.2 Techniques Assorted - Crackle Coated
12-10.2 Techniques Assorted - Coated and cut (Paste OME)
12-11 Techniques Assorted - Cut on back -
12-10.4 Techniques Assorted - Cut on face
12-10.5 Techniques Assorted - Design In Plastic (DIP)
12-10.5 Techniques Assorted - Design In Plastic (DIP)
12-10.5 Techniques Assorted - Design Under Plastic (DUP)
12-10.5 Techniques Assorted - Design Under Plastic (DUP)
12-10.6 Techniques Assorted - Double-cut
12-10.7 Techniques Assorted - Embedded
12-10.7 Techniques Assorted - Embedded
12-10.7 Techniques Assorted - Embedded
12-10.8 Techniques Assorted - Encrusted
12-10.9 Techniques Assorted - Hologram (Note 1: This hologram example is not a synthetic polymer button. Same hologram example shown in the NBS Synthetic Polymers Handbook, reference 2.
12-10.9 Techniques Assorted - Hologram-type
12-10.9 Techniques Assorted - Hologram-type
12-10.10 Techniques Assorted - Incased
12-10.11 Techniques Assorted - Inlay
12-10.12 Techniques Assorted - Laminate
12-10.12 Techniques Assorted - Laminate and intermixed
12-10.13 Techniques Assorted - Mechanical/Movable
12-10.14 Techniques Assorted - Molded
12-10.14 Techniques Assorted - Molded
12-10.14 Techniques Assorted - Molded - Extruded
12-10.15 Techniques Assorted - Mounted in metal
12-10.15 Techniques Assorted - Mounted on metal
12-10.16 Techniques Asst. - Openwork - molded
12-10.17 Techniques Assorted - Sculpted
12-10.18 Techniques Asst. - Snap-together construction
- Front & shank snaps through hole in body
12-10.18 Techniques Assorted - Snap-together construction - 3-piece
12-10.18 Techniques Assorted - Snap-together construction
- Bow snaps through body
12-10.18 Techniques Assorted - Snap-together construction
- Front face snaps onto the shank base
12-11 Unlisted - HDPE (Defined under 12-2 Thermoplastics)
12-11 Unlisted - HDPE (Defined under 12-2 Thermoplastics)
12-11 Unlisted - HDPE (Defined under 12-2 Thermoplastics)
12-11 Unlisted - HDPE (Defined under 12-2 Thermoplastics)
12-11 Unlisted - Ball Contour shape
12-11 Unlisted - Contour shape
12-11 Unlisted - Linear Triangle shape
12-11 Unlisted - Linear Square shape
12-11 Unlisted - reversible molded images
12-11 Unlisted - Linear Oval shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
12-11 Unlisted - Realistic shape
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Karen Farnsworth, Margaret Tolbert, Barbara Weeks, Lou Yeargain, Janet Gerhardt and Joss Howells who assisted in the development of this educational resource. They provided reviews, comments or other support including images or buttons for the examples shown. A special thanks to Joan Lindsay & Joy Journeay for their expert editing skills!
References:
(1) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines
(2) National Button Society 9-A Synthetic Polymers Handbook - Howells, MacFarlane, Deal, Don & Delores Smith - Undated
(3) Button Materials A-Z: Identification Guide - Jocelyn Howells, JossButtons, Portland, Oregon - 2006
(4) Plastic Buttons, How to Identify Them Using All Six Senses, Jocelyn Howells, March 2002
(5) The Big Book of Buttons, Elizabeth Hughes and Marion Lester, St. Johann Press, 2010
(6) Click this link to download and print the synthetic polymers shank chart.