Eyelet vs Grommet: How to Choose the Right Grommet Press Machine Kit

Whether you are making curtains, hanging a banner, lacing up a corset or reinforcing a tarp, you eventually need a neat, strong metal ring around a hole in the fabric. That ring is an eyelet or a grommet — and the first thing most beginners discover is that nobody agrees on what the difference even is, let alone which size to buy.

This guide sorts it out simply: what eyelets and grommets actually are, which size suits which project, and which eyelet grommet press machine kit gives you the range to handle it all.

Eyelet vs grommet: what's the difference?

In everyday use the words are swapped freely, but there is a genuine distinction worth knowing:

• Eyelet: usually a smaller, lighter, often single-piece ring. Think shoe lace holes, belts, hats, garment details and light craft work. Neater finish, lighter duty.
• Grommet: generally larger and heavier-duty, often a two-piece ring-and-washer set. Think curtains, banners, flags, tarps, sails and bags — anywhere the hole bears weight or stress.

The simple rule: light and decorative → eyelet; heavy and load-bearing → grommet. The good news is that a single hand press machine sets both — you just change the die to match the size.

What size eyelet or grommet do I need?

Size is measured by the inner hole diameter — the opening a cord, rod or lace passes through. Here is a beginner-friendly starting point:

• 4–5 mm: shoe eyelets, garment lacing, light craft, corset holes.
• 6–8 mm: lightweight curtains, drawstring bags, general craft.
• 10–12.5 mm: heavier curtains, banners, tarps, flags and outdoor projects where a rod or thick cord passes through.

A good habit: always test on a scrap of the same fabric first, and for heavier loads choose a larger size. This is exactly why a multi-size kit beats buying one die — your project decides the size, and you want the right one already in the drawer.

The best pick: a 7-size eyelet & grommet press kit

For anyone who wants to cover the full range in one purchase, our Hand Press Eyelet Grommet Machine Kit with 7 Die Sets is the standout choice. It includes the press machine plus seven different eyelet/grommet die sizes, covering inner-hole diameters of roughly 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm and more — enough to handle shoe eyelets, curtains, banners and tarps with a single tool.

Because one machine covers seven sizes, it is ideal for curtain makers, banner and sign shops, and craft businesses that need consistent, professional holes across different fabric weights.

Self-piercing dies: why they make life easier

Traditionally you punch a hole first, then set the eyelet. Self-piercing eyelet grommet dies cut and set in one motion on suitable fabrics — no separate hole-punching step. If you set a lot of eyelets, this saves real time. We stock self-piercing dies individually so you can add exactly the size you need:

• 4 mm (5/32") and 4.5 mm — shoe eyelets and garment lacing
• 5 mm (3/16") and 6 mm (1/4") — light curtains and craft
• 8 mm (5/16") and 9 mm (3/8") — heavier curtains and bags
• 11.5 mm and 12.5 mm (1/2") — banners, tarps and heavy-duty work

Need snaps and rivets too?

If your projects mix fasteners — eyelets on a bag plus rivets on the straps, say — a combined kit is better value than buying separately. The All-in-One Snap, Rivet, Eyelet & Grommet Set uses the same press but adds snap and rivet dies, so one machine handles every common fastener.

All dies use a 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) top screw thread and an 11.9 mm (1/2 inch) bottom diameter, so they fit our hand press. If you own another brand, check those measurements before ordering.

How to set an eyelet or grommet

1. Mark the position and, unless using self-piercing dies, punch a hole matching the eyelet's barrel.
2. Push the eyelet through from the front, place the washer (for two-piece grommets) on the back.
3. Fit the matching die size and pull the lever in one firm motion.
4. Test on scrap first and adjust the depth screw so the ring rolls over cleanly without cracking.

Frequently asked questions

Are the eyelets and grommets included with the kit?
No — the kit includes the press machine and the setting dies. The eyelets and grommets themselves are bought separately so you can match size, colour and finish to your project.

What size grommet is best for curtains?
Light curtains typically use around 10–12 mm; heavier curtains and outdoor work go larger. The 7-die kit covers this range, so you can match the rod or cord you are using.

What is the difference between a die number and millimetres?
Eyelet/grommet dies are often labelled with a size number (e.g. No.2, No.4). We list the millimetre inner diameter alongside the number so you can order confidently.

Can I use the same press for snaps and rivets?
Yes. The hand press is universal — add the matching die and it sets snaps, rivets and jeans buttons too.

Get the right hole, every time

Once you know that eyelets are the light, decorative option and grommets are the heavy-duty one — and that size means the inner hole diameter — the guesswork disappears. Start with the 7-Die Eyelet & Grommet Press Kit to cover the full size range, and add individual self-piercing dies whenever a project calls for something specific.