ZHUNIPINGAN Snap Fasteners Kit - 100 Sets Metal Snaps Buttons with Fastener Pliers Press Tool - Perfect for DIY Crafts, Clothing Sewing, and Hats - Easy Installation for Fabric

First impressions and what’s in the box

A simple snap can make or break a sewing project, so I approached the Zhunipingan snap kit with equal parts curiosity and caution. It’s a straightforward package: one pair of pliers designed to set 9.5 mm metal snaps and 100 matching snap sets in a silvery finish. There’s no assortment of sizes or colors—this is a single-size, single-finish kit aimed squarely at small closures on garments, hats, and craft projects.

Two things stood out immediately. First, the snaps themselves look clean and uniform, with a nice sheen that reads “metal” rather than “coated plastic.” Second, there’s no printed instruction sheet. If you’ve set snaps before, you’ll get your bearings quickly. If not, expect a brief learning curve. I strongly recommend practicing on scrap fabric before committing to your project.

Also worth noting: the snap components (caps, sockets, studs, and posts) arrive mingled together rather than pre-sorted into pairs. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it adds a few minutes of setup time.

Build quality and ergonomics

The included pliers are light and compact, with dies sized for the 9.5 mm hardware. The handles have a basic coating that’s comfortable for short sessions, and the hinge is smooth enough to deliver consistent pressure. The dies do a good job holding the cap and the mating piece in place so you’re not fighting gravity while lining up your fabric. Alignment matters with snap-setting tools, and here I had no trouble getting the pieces to sit square as long as I took a second to seat them fully in the dies.

These pliers are sized for light to moderate duty. They’re not a shop press, and you shouldn’t expect them to set heavy-duty marine snaps or punch through thick leather. But for the intended 9.5 mm fasteners, the leverage is adequate and the results are surprisingly tidy once you get your technique down.

Installation: the process that worked

Here’s the workflow I settled on after a few trials:

• Mark the snap positions carefully on both sides of the opening.
• Stabilize thin or stretchy fabrics with a small square of lightweight fusible interfacing on the wrong side. This is crucial for knits, baby clothes, and any fabric that distorts when pulled.
• Make a small pilot hole with an awl or seam ripper—just large enough for the post to pass through without forcing. Avoid cutting a slit that’s too large; the snap relies on fabric gripping the post.
• Place the cap into the die designed for it (you’ll feel it seat), align your fabric over the post, then place the socket piece on top.
• Squeeze the pliers firmly and evenly—enough to roll the post and lock the pieces, but not so aggressively that you crush the hardware.
• Repeat for the mating side with the stud piece.

The key is even pressure and proper stabilization. Over-squeezing can deform the post, while under-squeezing results in a weak hold. On knits especially, adding interfacing prevents the snap from tearing out when you open it later.

Performance on different fabrics

• Medium-weight wovens (cotton poplin, twill): Excellent results. The snaps set cleanly, sit flat, and stayed secure through repeated openings and closings. After a couple of quick wash cycles, I didn’t see tarnish or looseness.
• Light canvas and quilting cotton: Also solid. I had the best success with a small interfacing patch behind the snap for insurance.
• Thin knits and baby-weight cottons: Usable with care. Without reinforcement, snaps can pull through the fabric when unsnapped. With a small piece of fusible tricot or woven interfacing, they hold up well and feel appropriate for the size.
• Denim and thick materials: Borderline. The posts on 9.5 mm snaps aren’t long enough to reliably bite through heavy layers. You can sometimes make it work on a single layer of lightweight denim with reinforcement, but that’s not what this kit is designed for.
• Coated fabrics and leather: Not recommended. You’ll want a different snap style and setter for those applications.

The takeaway: the kit is ideal for light to mid-weight fabrics. For anything very thin or stretchy, stabilize. For anything too thick or rigid, choose a different snap size and tool.

Reliability and longevity

Once properly set, the snaps feel sturdy and click together with a reassuring snap—firm enough to hold, not so tight that you need to wrench them apart. The finish remained bright after laundering, and I didn’t see flaking or rough edges on the hardware out of the box. The weak points arise from technique and fabric choice rather than the metal itself: misalignment, over-crimping, or undersupported fabric will lead to premature pull-outs.

One practical tip: when opening any small metal snap, pry near the post rather than pulling fabric-to-fabric. That reduces the stress transferred to the fabric and helps prevent tear-outs, especially on knits.

What I liked

• Compact, easy-to-handle pliers with dies that hold parts securely.
• Consistent setting results on suitable fabrics after a short learning curve.
• Snaps have a clean, uniform silvery finish and a reliable action.
• The 9.5 mm size is great for children’s garments, light adult clothing, accessories, and craft projects.
• Good quantity (100 sets) for ongoing repairs and small-batch making.

What could be better

• No instructions. A one-page quick-start with diagrams would save beginners time and frustration.
• Single size and color. If you need variety, you’ll be looking at additional kits or a multi-size press system.
• Packaging could be more organized. Sorting male and female components takes a few minutes.
• Not suited for very thin or thick materials without workarounds (interfacing for thin; alternative hardware for thick).

Tips to get reliable results

• Always practice on scrap of the same material and number of layers as your project.
• Stabilize thin and stretchy fabrics with fusible interfacing; for knits, a tricot fusible works well.
• Use an awl to create a tiny pilot hole—don’t cut an oversized hole.
• Support your work on a firm, flat surface and squeeze the pliers straight and steady.
• After setting, test the snap a few times. If it feels overly tight, a micro dab of beeswax can reduce opening force.
• Open snaps by prying near the hardware to minimize stress on the fabric.

Who it’s for—and who should look elsewhere

If you’re repairing everyday garments, adding closures to handmade baby clothes, or finishing light accessories like pouches and hats, this snap kit fits the brief nicely. The small size looks proportional and the metal finish adds a clean, classic touch. If you primarily work with knits, plan on using interfacing and you’ll be fine.

If your projects involve heavy canvas, leather, outdoor gear, or require larger-diameter snaps, you’ll outgrow this kit quickly. Similarly, if you need a palette of colors or multiple sizes, a modular press with interchangeable dies might serve you better.

Bottom line

The Zhunipingan snap kit is a simple, purpose-built tool that performs well within its lane. It asks a bit of the user—namely, a few practice runs and some basic fabric stabilization—but it rewards that attention with tidy, durable snaps on appropriate materials. I would have liked a basic instruction sheet and better component organization, yet those omissions are easy to overcome.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for sewists and crafters who need small, metal snaps for light to mid-weight fabrics and are willing to spend a few minutes honing their technique. It’s not a heavy-duty solution and it’s not a multi-size system, but for everyday clothing repairs and small projects, it’s a dependable, budget-friendly addition to the toolbox.