Make it snappy. Used on everything from denim to diapers, snaps are a handy closure, easily undone and sewn onto fabric. First patented in 1885 by a German inventor, snaps were originally intended only for men’s trousers but were eventually made ubiquitous by rodeo cowboys of the 1930s. Westernwear companies like Wrangler and Levi Strauss began producing pearl-snap shirts, and the closure became popular amidst the mainstream public. Snaps are great for beginning and expert seamstresses alike. In order to properly attach snaps to your garments, it’s important to make sure you have the proper tools. An inexpensive alternative to a snap press, snap pliers are a one-step application solution. Browse our selection of the best options below.
1. Babyville Boutique Snap Pliers
Best used for plastic snaps, these pliers are a great basic. Designed with a rubber pressing head and a calibrated die tray, these pliers allow secure and easy insertion, without causing damage to the snap covers. Complete with a screwdriver and hole-poking device, this set has all the tools you need to get started.
2. Dritz Heavy Duty Snap Pliers
Best suited for heavy-duty materials like leather and canvas, these pliers work well for applying snap closures to jackets, coats, skiwear, and boat covers. Designed with a rubber-covered handle, these pliers provide a comfortable hold. Complete with five snaps and a snap remover, you can get to applying snaps right away.
3. KAMsnaps Plastic Snaps Hand-held Pliers Tool
Best used for plastic snaps, this set of pliers comes with a set of extra dies so you can work with a variety of snap sizes and shapes. Simple to use and sturdily constructed, this tool is a great choice for beginners and experts alike. Complete with a hole-punching tool and a screwdriver, this product facilitates a full snap-application setup.
4. DianMan Heavy-Duty Snap Fastener Pliers
This fully adjustable set of pliers provides greater leverage than a peg-and-die design and locks into place once you set it. The adjustable snap setter allows for a tighter or somewhat looser clamp, depending on how you calibrate it, so you can get a custom fit. Suited for metal snaps, this set of pliers is a great choice for thicker textiles, like canvas or leather.
5. We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch
This multifunctional tool works for adding snaps, grommets, and eyelet designs to garments. It punches holes measuring an eighth or three-sixteenths of an inch through a multitude of materials, including paper, leather, plastic, metal, and cardboard. Solidly constructed and intelligently designed, these pliers are as easy to close as a stapler and are marked with centimeters and inches, so you don’t have to use a ruler when measuring out your snap placement.