If you want to add a certain bit of panache to your upholstery projects, upholstery nail heads can offer a classic finishing touch. What can be better than a leather chair accented with copper upholstery nails, or a brocade footstool finished with a row of hammered tacks? Upholstery nail trim is easy to apply and can also add some security to the finished product. They are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes, so you can offer your customers a choice.

Upholstery nails pricing and costs depend on the style and quantity ordered. Many companies only sell wholesale upholstery nails to established customers, so the recreational crafter will not be able to get the same deals that a professional upholstery business can command.

Before you price the next upholstery project, look into the following:

1. Compare the prices of upholstery nails available to dealers with retail prices.

2. Consider the quantity you have to buy to get that great deal on upholstery tacks and nails.

3. Factor in the cost of an upholstery hammer to secure the trim.

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Look at online stores for prices on upholstery nails

You can find basic styles of decorative upholstery nails at online sources, as well as fancier upholstery nails in a variety of shapes and sizes. To show off the upholstery tacks that you have to offer, order an upholstery nail board to display to customers.

I recommend: Decorative Nails sells upholstery nails in lots of 1,000, with prices ranging from $25.95 to $35.95 for basic nails in small and large sizes. This company also sells specialty upholstery nails, such as western decorative nails that sell for $0.65 to $0.99 each, with a minimum order of 500. You can get a free upholstery tack board by submitting a copy of your resale license to Furniture Restoration Tools and Supplies.

Submit requests for best pricing from manufacturers of decorative nails

Upholstery nail manufacturers will require you to submit a request for pricing - pricing information is not available on their website. While this extra step may cause you to move on, it may be worth your while to see what deals you can get on upholstery decorative nails by buying wholesale from the manufacturer.

I recommend: Check out the quality and variety of brass upholstery nails offered by Turner and Seymour Manufacturing. American Trim offers smaller minimum orders of decorative upholstery nails for sale at $3.25 for a bag of 100, perfect for smaller jobs.

Look for antique upholstery nails for a unique look

You can satisfy customers who are looking for the old-world look for their upholstered furniture with antique upholstery nails. By using unique styles of nails, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture for your best clients.

I recommend: Western General Store has hammered brass and copper upholstery nails in a variety of vintage styles including the 1 -1/2 inch clavos decorative nails. Hardware World offers a variety of antique upholstery nails for sale.

Many furniture makes and restorers use upholstery nails, not only to help hold fabric to wood, but also to decorate the furniture itself. Whether you want to add style with decorative nails that look like flowers or bullets, for example, you're sure to turn your furniture into a one-of-a-kind product.

Remember that you can purchase upholstery nails with heads made from a wide variety of materials, including metal and even leather. Choose your upholstery nails to complement the color of the wood and fabric that you use to make your furniture.

1. Research the various designs and styles of upholstery nails from which you can choose.

2. Set your furniture apart from the rest by using nails with decorative upholstery nail heads.

3. Add a special touch to your furniture line with metal upholstery nails. Manufacturers mold the metal into a wide variety of designs, including flowers, Celtic crosses and much more.

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Research the many different types and styles of upholstery nails available

Browse the wide selections of upholstery nails on the market today. You can find the perfect nail for any type of furniture that you make or restore. Spend some time looking at the different designs and finishes to get a feel for what's available so that you can make your decision.

I recommend: Shop for wholesale upholstery nails with Harris and Stearns, where you can purchase many of your other upholstery supplies as well. Greentex is another supplier with wholesale upholstery nails for sale.

Use nails with decorative upholstery nail heads to add a special touch to your furniture

Accent all your furniture with decorative nails. You can find them made from many metals and can also find these nails in many shapes such as diamonds, circles and flowers with different designs on them. Some suppliers even carry turquoise upholstery nails, which can add some nice color to a piece of furniture.

I recommend: Heico Fasteners a wide variety of decorative upholstery nails in various shapes and sizes. Compare their inventory and prices with those offered by DIY Upholstery Supply.

Take advantage of the different types of metals that manufacturers use to make upholstery nails

Whether you prefer shiny metal, dull metal or a more antique look, you're sure to find what you want. You can purchase upholstery nails made from brass, steel, copper, pewter and nickel. Each metal has a unique color that can add character to your products.

I recommend: Turner & Seymour prides themselves in their high quality upholstery nails, including their brass upholstery nails, which come in many different sizes. Professional Hardware & Supply also offers a wide range of brass finish upholstery nails in their inventory. If the beauty of copper appeals to you, shop with Van Dykes Restorers for copper upholstery nails.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you purchase upholstery nails, make sure you also have an upholstery nail gun that will work with them.

Upholstery nails all perform the same function of securing fabric to furniture. The fact that there are a variety of types of nails to perform this function makes this same tool versatile for a scale of applications. Depending on the desired application, several choices have to be made to determine the right nail to use.

Upholstery nails types and styles are categorized as either industrial upholstery nails or decorative nails. Both kinds come in a selection of sizes. Preference or usage will help in the decision of what the chosen nails will be made of. Common materials include:

1. Copper upholstery nails

2. Chrome upholstery nails

3. Brass upholstery nails

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Look at industrial upholstery nails

Traditional or plain upholstery nails have an important use as the 'behind the scenes' tool to holding furniture together. These tacks, made with a slanted sharp point and flat upholstery nail heads, are not meant to be seen once the furniture project is finished. They are mostly hidden on the backs and bottoms of furniture.

I recommend: King Richard Company sells their upholstery nails in large quantity sets. Other companies prefer to sell nails by the pound. For fast and easy work, Massasoit/Tackband and other suppliers offer an upholstery nail strip. This handy product hold the fabric in place and requires the use of fewer nails, which means fewer nail holes and a stronger piece of furniture.

Find upholstery decorative nails

Decorative upholstery nails are multifunctional. Unlike plain upholstery nails, they hold the fabric in place and are meant to be seen. They are often placed on the fronts of furniture in plain site, like on the backrest or even the seat of a couch or chair. Made into fancy shapes using various materials, these nails are meant to impress.

I recommend: Greentex displays a selection of decorative nails. A sample card, showing a huge choice of decorative nails, can be obtained from DIY Upholstery Supply.

Determine the appropriate size of upholstery nail you need

The nails come in different sizes. Smaller nails are used for smaller pieces of furniture while the larger nails are reserved for a bigger piece like a sofa. Using the right size tack for the job is important so as to have the highest quality work without causing damage to the frame.

I recommend: Turner & Seymour gives a full selection of nails. Your choice starts with what material the tacks are made of. From there, select the size that most adequately fits your needs, including shank length and head diameter. J A Milton Upholstery Supplies gives tips and information on choosing the size of upholstery tacks and nails to use.

If you're interested in furniture repair and refinishing, you already know that upholstery nails lend a lot of appeal to the design. However, those new to the industry should learn the terminology associated with upholstery nails in order to make the most of their business. For example, nail strips offer an easy way to use upholstery nails without having to worry about spacing. A nail spacer may be able to give the same effect. When purchasing upholstery nails, you need to know what the shank and finishes are to make a wise decision. Learn these terms to get started.

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Nail strips

A nail strip, or nail chain, is a string of upholstery nails that are connected to each other. This makes it easy to get the finished look that you desire because you don't need to worry about spacing or making sure the nails are all on the same line.

I recommend: See some examples of nail strips at Furniture Restoration Tools and Supplies.

Shank

The shank of an upholstery nail is the shaft, which goes into the wood. It's important to know the shank size when choosing upholstery nails for a project because some may be too long and go through the length of wood, while others may be too short and not be able to hold the fabric to the wood.

I recommend: Learn more about shanks and the different types from Halex Corporation.

Finishes

Most upholstery nails are metal and they come with a variety of finishes, which is the final layer or polish that's put on the nail during production. This affects whether they are shiny or dull and the color.

I recommend: The upholstery tacks at Heico can be sorted according to finish, allowing you to see the many different styles of finish.

Upholstery tacks

Upholstery tacks, rather than nails, are not meant to be seen. Because of this, they are much more plain than decorative upholstery nails.

I recommend: Perfectfit shows upholstery tacks.

Decorative upholstery nails

Decorative upholstery nails are meant to be seen and are an artistic point of the piece of furniture. They come in many different shapes and styles to suit any type of design.

I recommend: See some examples of decorative upholstery nails at Chervan.

Nail spacer

A nail spacer is essential for those that are working with decorative nails instead of nail strips. This ensures that all nails are evenly spaced.

I recommend: View and purchase a nail spacer at Rochford Supply.