Description
Nail Back Spring Washers for Upholstery Buttons
These nail back spring washers are designed for use with nail-back upholstery button fittings when producing fabric-covered buttons for furniture, headboards and fixed seating.
Supplied in packs of 100, the washer forms part of the nail-back button assembly and is fitted onto the nail back using the appropriate application tool.
This fixing system is useful for upholstery where a covered decorative button needs to be fixed directly into a suitable furniture frame or backing rather than pulled through with traditional buttoning twine.
Product Specification
- Product type: Nail-back spring washer
- Pack quantity: 100
- Application: Upholstery nail-back button assembly
- Use with: Compatible nail-back button fittings
- Suitable for: Covered upholstery buttons
- Typical applications: Headboards, fixed seating backs and furniture buttoning
What Is a Nail Back Spring Washer?
A nail back spring washer is a small retaining component used as part of a nail-back upholstery button assembly.
It works with a compatible nail back to complete the rear fixing of a covered furniture button.
The washer is fitted onto the nail-back component during button assembly, helping create a complete fixing ready for installation into suitable furniture.
Common search terms for this type of component include:
- Nail back spring washer
- Upholstery button washer
- Nail back button washer
- Covered button washer
- Furniture button washer
- Upholstery nail button fixing
- Nail back retaining washer
- Upholstery button fixing washer
Use with Nail Back Upholstery Buttons
Nail-back buttons are commonly used where the finished button needs to be fixed directly into a suitable furniture frame or backing.
Typical applications include:
- Upholstered headboards
- Fixed seating backs
- Sofa arms
- Chair backs
- Upholstered bed panels
- Decorative furniture panels
- Furniture restoration
- Replacement covered buttons
The spring washer is part of the nail-back assembly rather than the visible decorative face of the button.
Use with No30 Button Nail Back Nails
Livedale’s No30 Button Nail Back Nails are serrated nail-back fittings designed for upholstery button applications.
They are available in 12mm and 17mm lengths and are commonly used on headboards and fixed seating backs.
When producing a covered nail-back button, the components can include:
Aluminium button shell → upholstery fabric → nail-back fitting → spring washer
The button shell creates the visible covered face while the nail back provides the fixing into the furniture.
Nail Back Buttons for Upholstered Headboards
Covered nail-back buttons are particularly useful for upholstered headboards where a decorative button needs to be fixed directly into a suitable backing structure.
They can be used for:
- Decorative button layouts
- Headboard detailing
- Upholstered bed panels
- Feature panels
- Replacement furniture buttons
The finished button can be covered in the same fabric as the headboard or in a contrasting upholstery material.
Nail Back Buttons for Fixed Seating
Nail-back buttons are also commonly used on fixed seating backs.
Applications can include:
- Sofa backs
- Chair backs
- Banquette seating
- Fixed upholstered panels
- Restaurant seating
- Contract furniture
- Decorative seat-back detailing
The furniture construction must provide a suitable fixing point for the nail-back fitting.
How to Fit a Nail Back Spring Washer
Use the correct Nail Back Spring Washer Applicator Tool when assembling the button.
The applicator is designed so that the button head sits securely in the tool while the nail and washer are fitted into position.
A typical assembly process is:
- Produce the fabric-covered button using the correct shell and button-making equipment.
- Position the compatible nail-back fitting.
- Place the button securely into the spring washer applicator.
- Fit the spring washer onto the nail back.
- Check that the components are correctly assembled before installation.
Using the correct tool makes the operation easier, particularly where access is limited or the button assembly is difficult to hold by hand.
Nail Back Spring Washer Applicator Tool
The Nail Back Spring Washer Applicator Tool is specifically intended for attaching spring washers to nail backs.
The button head fits into the tool while the nail is pushed into position and the washer fitted.
Using the purpose-made applicator helps:
- Hold the button securely during assembly
- Position the nail-back component
- Fit the spring washer more easily
- Improve consistency
- Make assembly easier in tight or awkward working areas
For regular production of nail-back buttons, the dedicated tool provides a straightforward workshop solution.
Making Covered Nail Back Buttons
Nail-back buttons can be made using compatible Aluminium Button Shells.
The upholstery fabric is formed over the shell before the rear fixing components are added.
A typical button-making setup can include:
- Aluminium button shell
- Upholstery fabric
- Nail-back fitting
- Nail-back spring washer
- Button die
- Fabric cutter
- Button press
- Spring washer applicator
Browse Buttoning Tools for compatible presses, cutters, dies and application tools.
Button Dies for Covered Nail Back Buttons
Use a correctly sized Button Die when forming the fabric around the aluminium shell.
The correct die helps:
- Form the fabric neatly
- Centre the button components
- Produce a consistent button shape
- Reduce damaged shells
- Improve repeatability during production
Always match the button die to the shell size being used.
Cutting Fabric for Covered Buttons
Accurately cut fabric helps produce a cleaner covered button.
Use a Fabric Cutter to prepare consistent upholstery fabric circles before pressing.
Correct fabric sizing helps reduce:
- Excess material inside the button
- Uneven folds
- Poor edge coverage
- Insufficient fabric around the shell
- Inconsistent finished buttons
Always test the chosen fabric and button components before beginning a larger production run.
Installing Finished Nail Back Buttons
Once the nail-back button has been assembled, it can be fitted into a suitable furniture frame or backing.
The Covered Nail Button Application Tool provides a controlled method of fixing fabric-covered nail buttons without striking the finished button directly.
This is particularly useful when fitting nail-back buttons to areas such as:
- Bedheads
- Headboards
- Sofa arms
- Upholstered frames
- Decorative furniture panels
The application tool is available in common upholstery button sizes.
Why Avoid Striking a Covered Button Directly?
Direct hammer impact on a fabric-covered button can risk:
- Damaging the covering fabric
- Distorting the button shell
- Marking the decorative surface
- Misaligning the nail
- Producing an uneven finished appearance
Using the appropriate nail-button application tool allows force to be applied more accurately during installation.
Nail Back Buttons or Wire Back Buttons?
Different button backs suit different furniture constructions.
Choose a nail-back button when:
- The button is being fixed directly into a suitable frame or backing
- Headboard or fixed seating buttoning is required
- A nail fixing is appropriate
- Traditional through-buttoning is unnecessary
Choose Button Wire Backs when:
- Buttoning twine is being used
- The button needs to be pulled through the upholstery
- Traditional deep buttoning is required
- A wire fixing loop is preferred
Nail Back Buttons or Prong Back Buttons?
Button Prong Backs use long prongs that pass through suitable upholstery layers.
Choose nail backs where the button will be fixed directly into a suitable backing or furniture structure.
Choose prong backs where a through-upholstery mechanical fixing and washer arrangement is required.
Nail Back Buttons or Hook Back Buttons?
Hook Backs are designed for covered buttons that attach to a prepared upholstery twine loop.
Hook backs and nail backs therefore use different fixing methods.
Choose the back type according to:
- Furniture construction
- Access to the rear
- Required button depth
- Fixing surface
- Original furniture design
- Intended buttoning method
Nail Back Buttons for Furniture Restoration
Spring washers can also be useful when replacing nail-back buttons on existing furniture.
Before replacing the original fitting, check:
- Button size
- Nail length
- Existing back type
- Original fixing position
- Furniture frame condition
- Fabric condition
- Button spacing
Matching the original button construction where practical helps retain the appearance of the furniture.
Nail Back Spring Washers for Trade Upholstery
These spring washers are suitable for:
- Professional upholsterers
- Headboard manufacturers
- Furniture manufacturers
- Bed manufacturers
- Fixed seating manufacturers
- Contract furniture workshops
- Furniture restoration businesses
For compatible nail backs, shells and alternative button fittings, browse Button Parts.
For applicators, dies, cutters and presses, browse Buttoning Tools.
Browse Buttoning Parts & Equipment for the wider professional upholstery button-making and finishing range.
Registered trade customers receive preferential pricing. Log in to your account or register for a Livedale trade account.
For help choosing the correct button shell, nail back, washer or application tool, contact Livedale.
