Description
Metal Upholstery Tape Backs for Covered Button Making
These metal upholstery tape backs are designed for making fabric-covered buttons that accept long and short button tapes for through-buttoning cushions, bedding and suitable upholstered furniture.
Supplied in packs of 1,000, the tape backs are available in sizes 30 and 36 and are designed to be used with matching button shells.
The finished tape-backed button provides a practical alternative to wire, prong or hook-backed button fixings where a flexible tape needs to pass through the complete cushion or padded upholstery construction.
Product Specification
- Product type: Upholstery tape back
- Material: Metal
- Pack quantity: 1,000
- Available sizes: 30 and 36
- Application: Fabric-covered upholstery buttons
- Use with: Matching button shells and long/short button tapes
- Suitable for: Through-buttoned cushions, caravan seating, bedding and furniture upholstery
What Are Upholstery Tape Backs?
A tape back forms the rear fixing section of a fabric-covered upholstery button.
Instead of using a wire loop, metal prongs or a hook, the tape back is designed to accept a flexible button tape.
The tape then passes through the cushion or upholstered item to create a through-button fixing.
Common terms for this type of component include:
- Upholstery tape backs
- Button tape backs
- Covered button tape backs
- Cushion button backs
- Through-button backs
- Caravan cushion button backs
- Furniture button tape fixings
- Bedding button backs
Use with Long and Short Button Tapes
These tape backs are specifically designed for use with Long / Short Button Tapes.
Livedale supplies the tapes in:
- 30mm
- 60mm
- 75mm
- 90mm
- 110mm
- 120mm
The correct tape length should be selected according to the depth of the cushion, mattress or upholstered item.
A typical arrangement is:
Covered button → tape back → button tape → cushion or upholstery → fixing on reverse
Tape Backs for Caravan Cushions
Tape-backed upholstery buttons are particularly useful for caravan cushions.
In a typical caravan cushion application, the covered button sits on the visible face of the cushion and the tape passes through the upholstery before being secured on the underside.
This type of through-buttoning can be used for:
- Caravan seat cushions
- Caravan back cushions
- Dinette seating
- Bed conversion cushions
- Replacement caravan upholstery
- Decorative cushion buttoning
The tape fixing allows the button to be pulled to the required depth through the cushion.
Tape Backs for Motorhome and Campervan Upholstery
Tape-backed buttons can also be useful for suitable motorhome and campervan upholstery.
Applications may include:
- Seat cushions
- Back cushions
- Dinette seating
- Bed cushions
- Removable upholstered panels
- Leisure-vehicle furniture
When replacing original tape-backed buttons, match the button size, tape length and fixing method as closely as practical to the existing construction.
Tape Backs for Bedding Applications
Long and short button tapes are also widely used in the bedding industry.
Tape-backed buttons can therefore be used in suitable:
- Mattress constructions
- Upholstered bed products
- Padded bedding components
- Deep upholstered panels
- Mattress-style cushions
The tape system allows the fixing to pass through deeper padded constructions while maintaining a covered button on the visible face.
Use with Aluminium Button Shells
Tape backs are designed to be used with compatible Aluminium Button Shells.
The aluminium shell forms the visible face of the finished button while the tape back provides the fixing point at the rear.
A typical covered button consists of:
Aluminium button shell → upholstery fabric → matching tape back
Once assembled, the long or short tape can be fitted into the tape back for final installation.
Available Tape Back Sizes
Size 30 Tape Backs
Size 30 is suitable for medium-sized fabric-covered upholstery buttons.
It is useful for:
- Caravan cushions
- Bedding
- Upholstered seating
- Decorative furniture buttoning
- Replacement covered buttons
Use with a compatible size 30 aluminium shell.
Size 36 Tape Backs
Size 36 creates a larger, more visible covered button.
It is suitable where the button forms a stronger decorative feature in:
- Caravan seating
- Bed upholstery
- Sofa cushions
- Furniture panels
- Upholstered seating
Use with a compatible size 36 aluminium button shell.
Making Fabric-Covered Tape Back Buttons
Professional covered-button production requires correctly matched components.
A typical setup includes:
- Aluminium button shell
- Upholstery fabric
- Matching tape back
- Correct button die
- Fabric cutter
- Button press
- Long or short button tape
All button components should be matched to the same nominal button size.
Button Dies for Tape Back Buttons
Use a correctly sized button die when forming the upholstery fabric around the shell and assembling the tape back.
Browse Buttoning Tools for suitable button dies, presses and cutting equipment.
Using the correct die helps:
- Centre the button components
- Form the fabric neatly around the shell
- Secure the shell and back consistently
- Reduce damaged components
- Improve repeatability across larger production runs
Cutting Fabric for Covered Buttons
The covering fabric should be cut accurately before the button is pressed.
A purpose-made fabric cutter helps produce consistent fabric circles and reduces variation between finished buttons.
Correct fabric sizing helps reduce:
- Excess material inside the button
- Insufficient material around the shell
- Uneven folds
- Poor edge coverage
- Inconsistent finished appearance
Always test the chosen shell, tape back and fabric combination before beginning a large production run.
How Does a Tape-Back Button Work?
Once the covered button has been assembled:
- Fit the appropriate long or short tape into the tape back.
- Mark the required button position.
- Pass the tape through the cushion or upholstered construction.
- Pull the button to the required depth.
- Secure the tape on the reverse according to the buttoning system being used.
- Check that the button sits evenly and securely.
The correct installation method depends on the upholstery construction and tape system.
Choosing the Correct Button Tape Length
The tape length should suit the complete depth of the upholstery.
Consider:
- Foam thickness
- Fibre or wadding layers
- Cover thickness
- Required button depression
- Rear fixing arrangement
- Overall cushion depth
Do not select the tape length based on foam thickness alone.
The complete upholstered construction should be measured.
Tape Backs or Wire Backs?
Tape backs and Button Wire Backs use different fixing methods.
Choose tape backs when:
- A long or short tape fixing is required
- Caravan cushion buttoning is being reproduced
- Bedding-style through-buttoning is required
- A flexible tape passes through the cushion
Choose wire backs when:
- Upholstery twine is being used
- Traditional deep buttoning is required
- The button is tied through a wire loop
- A traditional furniture fixing is preferred
Tape Backs or Prong Backs?
Button Prong Backs use long metal prongs rather than flexible tape.
Choose tape backs where:
- A flexible through-button fixing is required
- The original cushion uses button tape
- Caravan or bedding applications require this system
Choose prong backs where:
- A rigid mechanical fixing is required
- The prongs pass directly through the upholstery
- A washer can be used at the rear
Tape Backs or Hook Backs?
Hook Backs are designed to attach to a prepared twine loop.
Tape backs instead accept a button tape that passes through the upholstered item.
Choose the fixing method according to:
- Furniture construction
- Cushion depth
- Original button system
- Access to the reverse
- Required button depth
- Type of upholstery
Tape Backs or Contra Buttons?
Contra Buttons are generally used as an anchor on the reverse side of through-buttoned upholstery.
Tape backs provide the attachment point within the visible covered button itself.
The two systems perform different roles and should be selected according to the original furniture or cushion construction.
Replacing Tape-Back Buttons
Tape backs are useful when repairing or reproducing original tape-backed upholstery buttons.
Before replacing the button, check:
- Button size
- Existing back type
- Tape length
- Cushion depth
- Button spacing
- Required pull depth
- Condition of the cover and filling
Matching the original construction helps reproduce the appearance and function of the existing upholstery.
Tape Backs for Professional Upholstery
Packs of 1,000 make these tape backs suitable for:
- Professional upholsterers
- Caravan upholstery workshops
- Motorhome converters
- Cushion manufacturers
- Bedding manufacturers
- Furniture factories
- Upholstery repair businesses
- Contract seating manufacturers
For compatible tapes, use Long / Short Button Tapes.
For matching button shells and alternative back styles, browse Button Parts.
For button dies, presses and cutters, browse Buttoning Tools.
Browse Buttoning Parts & Equipment for the wider professional upholstery buttoning 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, tape back, button tape or button-making equipment, contact Livedale.
