The small but mighty grommet is a piece of hardware used to reinforce holes in fabric. Grommets are attached to fabric with both precision and force, achieved by using a hole punch & hammer, or specialized tools and setting dies. Grommets are often sold in sets, paired with coinciding washers that "sandwich" your fabric, engaging with each other only upon hammer blow or extreme pressure.
See below for answers to some common questions about grommets.
Grommets are rings used to protect holes in thin materials like fabrics, sheet metal, and carbon fiber. Grommets or eyelets are used so that wires, rope, or cords can be put through your material without tearing through or misshaping the hole. Grommets are necessary when hole reinforcement is needed to prevent fraying. You can find grommets made out of a variety of materials and in many different sizes with varying hole diameters.
To measure a grommet, you can use a caliper to get the dimensions and a pin gauge to accurately determine the diameter of the inside hole.
Contrary to eyelets, grommets require a washer for proper installation and are typically used in heavy-duty applications, such as marine, awning, banners, industrial curtains, and commercial installations. Eyelets, on the other hand, do not require a washer for installation, are more delicate, and are used in lighter applications, such as clothing, bags, and footwear. You will find these two terms being used interchangably across industries - small grommets being referred to as eyelets - though the true difference boils down to installation technicalities.
Grommets have a wide range of applications for residential, commercial, and industrial use. You can typically find grommets on everything from lacing bands, shoes, curtains, and tarps to covers for boats and vehicles. How you use grommets will depend on the project.
The basic process for attaching grommets to canvas is very simple. You can easily install multiple grommets within a few minutes with a hammer, measuring tape, grommet, washer, fabric, and a hole punch.
To install grommets, you'll first measure where you would like the center of your grommet to be on your fabric. This way, you can space the grommets when making curtains and other canvas products. Mark the center with a pencil. Center the hole punch on the pencil marking and create the hole. Insert the tall part of your grommet to the underside of the fabric. Place the washer on the top side of the fabric. Pound using the hammer to fasten the washer, fabric, and grommet together.
When installed correctly, high-quality grommets should last in the fabric for years.
To remove a grommet, you'll need a dead blow hammer and a flat head screwdriver. Placing the screwdriver at an angle on top of the beveled edge of the grommet, use the dead blow hammer to hit the end of the screwdriver and crimp the edge inward (toward the hole and away from the surrounding washer). Repeat around the edge of the grommet until you are able to pull the washer loose. You should then be able to remove the grommet from the hole on the bottom side of the fabric.
Dickson® Jet 550 is specially designed and coated to work well with grommets.
The FASNAP PM5 machine sets self-piercing grommets up to size 300 (#4).
| Grommet Type | Grommet Item #'s | Die Item # (For Hand Tools) |
|---|---|---|
| #00 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #0 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #1 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #2 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #3 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #4 Grommet with Plain Washer | ||
| #5 Grommet with Plain Washer |
Grommets and washers are assigned a standard sizing number from #00 to #4. Keep in mind, though, sizing is slightly different between plain/tooth and spur grommets/washers. Take care in selecting the properly sized tools for the types of grommet and washers you’re installing. What size grommet you need will depend on the project.
For example, a #0 Spur Washer has an approximate inner diameter (ID) of 5/16”, therefore, will pair with a #1 Hole Punch or Cutter (not a #0, which makes a 1/4” hole)
See grommet size chart below for corresponding sizes (in inches).
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) | Hole Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| #00 | 0.175 | 0.425 | 3/16 |
| #0 | 0.248 | 0.545 | 1/4 |
| #1 | 0.287 | 0.682 | 9/32 |
| #2 | 0.362 | 0.815 | 3/8 |
| #3 | 0.433 | 0.970 | 7/16 |
| #4 | 0.488 | 1.050 | 1/2 |
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) | Hole Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| #0 | 0.270 | 0.668 | 9/32 |
| #1 | 0.380 | 0.790 | 3/8 |
| #2 | 0.430 | 0.886 | 7/16 |
| #3 | 0.430 | 0.970 | 15/32 |
| #4 | 0.565 | 1.125 | 9/16 |
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) |
|---|---|---|
| #0 | 0.291 | 0.547 |
| #1 | 0.355 | 0.697 |
| #2 | 0.460 | 0.838 |
| #3 | 0.528 | 0.955 |
| #4 | 0.590 | 1.107 |
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | 0.468 | 0.840 |
| #3 | 0.545 | 0.945 |
| #4 | 0.603 | 1.053 |
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) |
|---|---|---|
| #0 | 0.340 | 0.645 |
| #1 | 0.454 | 0.790 |
| #2 | 0.514 | 0.893 |
| #3 | 0.528 | 0.968 |
| #4 | 0.642 | 1.118 |
| Size | ID (inner diameter) | OD (outer diameter) |
|---|---|---|
| #00 | 0.220 | 0.425 |
| #0 | 0.294 | 0.531 |
| #1 | 0.355 | 0.705 |
| #2 | 0.429 | 0.840 |
| #3 | 0.475 | 0.945 |
| #4 | 0.540 | 1.047 |
You’ll find grommets and washers in a few different materials, each containing its own benefits. The following are four of the most common choices.
There are several tools you can use to install a grommet. Using the right grommet tools help make the installation process go much smoother. We recommend pairing the following tools with your preferred grommet style and a distinct fabric for a professional result.
What is the best grommet tool? That will depend on your project. Below we'll describe the differences between the tools and explain how to use a grommet press and other grommet tools. You can apply the grommets by hand or with a grommet press tool.
This press uses dies and a lever to set grommets and fasteners. It is mounted to a bench.
The M-380E press easily mounts to a wooden table or bench and is used to install a range of fasteners. It features an ergonomic handle and an adjustable lower die holder for greater flexibility and creativity.
Dead blow hammers and rawhide mallets are used in conjunction with grommet dies when installing by hand. The soft face minimizes impressions while delivering a powerful blow.
Use a urethane cutting pad to protect your work bench or surface beneath the fabric.
Use these cutters with a dead blow hammer or mallet to cut holes prior to installing your grommets.
Setting dies work with a hammer or a grommet press tool. The grommet fits in the die and is attached to the fabric once hammered or pressed into place.
The Pres-N-Snap tool works with different dies to install fasteners and grommets (works with #1 plain grommets only). It can be used as a hand tool, by simply squeezing the handles to press the grommets in place. It can also be mounted to a bench to reduce hand strain. See it in action here.
Grommet kits are a convenient way to gather the necessary tools for small, home-based grommet projects. Each kit comes with a grommet die, cutting punch, grommets and washers, a cutting board, and instructions.
The purpose of this guide is to give fabricators some general guidelines and product information. Read all our Product Guides.
This guide should not be considered as the sole source of information on grommets. This guide is strictly informational.
Please reach out to your local customer care team for more guidance.
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