Press-on nails took off in the last few years, cementing their place as a legitimate option for home manicures. They can be just as creative and fun as applying nail polish! But behind the scenes, how are press-on nails made? What are they made of?
If you’re curious about the process behind press-on nails, whether commercial or custom-made, this post is for you! We’ll explain what kind of materials they’re made and what the manufacturing process is like.
Table of Contents
What Are Press-On Nails Made Of?
Almost all press-on nails are made of plastic, of which there are a few different types. Plastic is an ideal material because it’s easy to shape and mold into a nail-like shape. Plastic press-on nails are lightweight and flexible yet very durable. They put minimal pressure on the natural nails so they’re comfortable for the wearer.
For brands, plastic press-ons are easy to manufacture on a large scale. Companies can use a few types of plastic to create press-on nails, including ABS plastic, PMMA soft gel, PLA resin, or other plant-based plastics.
Even custom press-on nails are usually made on a plastic nail tip base. Normally, nail artists and hobbyists purchase plastic tips from wholesalers and then use UV-cured gel nail polish and appliques to create custom art.
How the Material Affects Quality and Look
The different kinds of plastic used to create nail tips or press-on nails have slightly different properties that make each one more suitable for different applications.
- ABS Plastic is the most popular material for press-on nails as it’s safe, non-toxic, flexible, and durable. ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It’s a versatile material that can be tinted, dyed, or painted in a variety of ways. It can achieve any type of finish, from glossy to matte to metallic. All Lilac St. press-on nails are made of ABS plastic. As a result, they can stay put for a long time, and they’re quite resistant to chipping, scratching, and other types of damage. They’re generally more affordable, as well.
- PMMA soft gel nail tips are made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an acrylic plastic. They’re clear in color but can be painted with gel polish. They’re normally used in conjunction with a bonder and a UV lamp to create gel nail extensions. They’re often also used to create custom press-on nails. Once they’re painted, the soft gel nail tips can only be applied with nail glue, much like regular press-on nails. They’re often quite thin compared to ABS plastic nails, but they also tend to be brittle.
- Plant-derived plastics like polylactic acid are biodegradable plastics that have become popular in recent years. They can be made from many different types of plant material, so you’ll sometimes see nails advertised as being made of corn or bamboo. PLA nails can be created in any color or design. However, because they’re biodegradable, they tend to be much less durable and are less easy to reuse.
How Are Press-On Nails Made?
Whether it’s a custom design or not, and no matter the type of plastic, press-on nails are generally made following the same process:
Design
First, manufacturers design the shape of the press-on nails using 3D modeling software, coming up with precise dimensions to ensure a uniform outcome. Each nail design is created in a broad range of sizes, to account for the different sizes of natural nails. Depending on the type of press-on nail, the manufacturers might also use this stage to come up with a design, or it may happen as a separate design step.
Manufacturing
Based on the design parameters, manufacturers create metal mold inserts that fit into pre-existing machinery. Then, plastic pellets are melted down and injected into the molds. They are then cooled within the mold inserts. Finally, the mold is released to reveal the press-on nails! While this may sound like a long process, it only takes a few seconds from start to finish.
The material used to create the press-on nails can be clear, such as in the case of PMMA, or it can be colored in advance to create press-on nails with a uniform opaque or translucent color.
Quality Assurance and Packaging
Once the press-on nails have been created, they’re checked for quality assurance. In many cases, the molds create several press-on nails connected by thin plastic runners. If that’s the case, the individual nails are released, and any imperfections are buffed away. If a press-on tip is too damaged, it’ll likely be discarded.
Nail Art
Even custom press-on nails are still made of these mass-manufactured “tips”. The only difference is how the nail art is applied. In the case of custom press-on nails, nail artists hand-paint the press-on nail tips, one by one, using UV-cured gel nail polish. They may also glue on additional appliques. With commercial press-on nails, designs are added using large-sized printers, ensuring uniformity and a pristine outcome.
Packaging
Finally, the press-on nails are sorted by size and packed, usually with additional accessories like glue, alcohol wipes, and a wooden cuticle pusher.
How to Choose the Best Press-On Nails Based on Material
The beautiful thing about press-on nails is that you can try all of the different materials and styles! Here are the key factors to consider when choosing based on the material.
How you apply your press-on nails will have the biggest impact on longevity. You can often get upwards of 10 days of wear if you take your time with the application. That said, when it comes to the nails themselves, ABS plastic tends to be the more durable and scratch-resistant material, while PMMA and plant-based plastic nails can be a little more brittle. If your PMMA nails are painted with UV-cured gel, however, that will add to their strength.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so when shopping for press-on nails, let your eyes guide you. The type of material used for the press-ons usually doesn’t have much bearing on how they look. Press-ons can come in any shape or design, regardless of the material. The only factor is that opaque or translucent press-on nails are usually made of ABS plastic, while clear ones are made of PMMA soft gel. Otherwise, the design is mostly down to the brand or nail artist who created your nails. Our Lilac St. Press-On Nails, for example, come in elegant, artful designs with options to suit both extravagant and demure aesthetics.
Many brands do not disclose what type of material they use for their press-on nails or nail tips. They may use terms like “resin” or “acrylic” without providing further detail, or they might list several contradictory materials. For your safety and peace of mind, it’s always better to buy from reputable brands that say what type of plastic their press-on nails are made of and that also provide full ingredient lists for their adhesives.
Bottom Line
All press-on nails are made of plastic, whether it’s ABS plastic, clear PMMA soft gel, or plant-derived. The most durable and affordable of the bunch is ABS plastic, our material of choice at Lilac St. We worked with nail artists to create unique designs that have an artistic flare while keeping our prices affordable through large-scale production. Browse our press-on nail selection to find a design you’ll love!
