China Beauty Products Buying Guide (4): All About Press-On Nails
09/25/2025
China holds an absolute dominant position in the global press-on nail industry, with annual output accounting for over 90% of the world’s total. Yiwu in Zhejiang Province and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province are the two core production hubs. Yiwu, with its strong small-commodities manufacturing and e-commerce supply chain advantages, has become the world’s largest distribution center for press-on nails. Its products range from low-to-mid-end options to high-value, custom handmade designs, meeting the diverse needs of both domestic and international markets. Guangzhou, on the other hand, leverages its robust cosmetics and nail art industry clusters to focus on developing new materials and techniques, leading technological innovation in the sector.
Chinese enterprises provide OEM services for over 90% of the world’s well-known international beauty and nail brands, including but not limited to fast-fashion e-commerce giants like SHEIN and TEMU, as well as numerous international professional nail brands.
Notably, China’s press-on nail industry boasts a complete industrial chain, with tight collaboration across all stages: from the R&D and production of raw materials (ABS, PMMA, etc.), mold manufacturing, printing, and electroplating, to manual decoration and finished product packaging. Supporting industries like nail glue, jelly adhesive tabs, and manicure tools are also highly mature, forming a “one-stop” production and supply system.
Table of Contents
I. Press-on Nails: Instant Manicure Solution
Press-on nails, also known as fake nails or nail tips, are detachable nail art accessories that allow users to create exquisite nail looks quickly without the complicated processes of traditional nail art, such as applying glue and curing under a UV/LED lamp. They are mostly made of materials like ABS resin, gel polish, and solid nail stickers, which are both flexible and wear-resistant. These nails can fit the curvature of natural nail beds and are not easy to fall off after wearing.
In terms of styles, press-on nails include various designs such as solid colors, gradients, hand-painted patterns, diamond decorations, and embossments, suitable for different scenarios like daily commuting, parties, and weddings. In terms of size, they are available in standard sizes (S/M/L) or custom sizes to fit different nail bed sizes. Some products also come with two fixing methods: jelly glue and nail glue. Jelly glue is easy to apply and does not damage natural nails, making it suitable for short-term wear; nail glue has stronger adhesion, ideal for long-term use.
Compared with traditional nail art, press-on nails not only save time but also avoid damage to natural nails caused by chemicals in gel polish. Additionally, they can be reused, which not only meets the demand for personalized aesthetics but also conforms to the concept of environmental protection, making them a popular choice for convenient nail art nowadays.
II. What Types of Press-On Nails Are There
Press-on nails can be classified around three core dimensions: material, fixing method, and nail shape & size, catering to different usage needs and nail bed conditions. The specific classifications are as follows:
1. Classification by Material (Core Impact on Texture and Durability)
ABS Resin Nails
The most common basic material, which is lightweight, somewhat flexible, not easy to break, and affordable. Its surface can be printed, decorated with diamonds, or coated with gel polish, suitable for most daily styles. It is ideal for beginners or users who frequently change nail styles.
Gel Polish Nails
Made mainly from gel polish, shaped by molds and then cured. Their texture is similar to “gel nails” in traditional nail art, with rich colors, high gloss, and better wear resistance than ABS resin nails. Some can be reused 3-5 times.
2. Classification by Fixing Method (Determines Wearing Convenience and Durability)
Jelly Glue Type
Equipped with transparent jelly glue, no additional tools are needed for pasting. Just stick the jelly glue on the natural nail bed and press the press-on nails, completing the wearing in 10-20 seconds. It has the advantages of easy removal and no damage to natural nails, and can be worn for 3-7 days at a time, suitable for users who change styles in the short term or have fragile nails.
Nail Glue Type
Requires special nail glue for fixation, with strong adhesion. After wearing, it can last for 10-15 days or even longer. Suitable for scenarios that require long-term maintenance of nail art effects (such as weddings, business trips). However, a glue remover is needed for removal, and frequent use may cause slight damage to natural nails.
Magnetic Type
Miniature magnetic sheets are built into the back of the press-on nails, which are fixed by magnetic adsorption with magnetic base glue. No glue or jelly glue is needed, and wearing/removal takes only 1-2 seconds. They can be reused countless times. The disadvantage is that the durability is affected by magnetism, and they may loosen during strenuous activities.
3. Classification by Nail Shape and Size (Adapting to Different Nail Bed Conditions)
Classification by Nail Shape
Square: The nail surface is square, with sharp or slightly rounded edges. It makes fingers look slender and is suitable for people with wide nail beds.
Oval: The nail surface narrows gradually from the root to the tip, presenting an oval shape. It fits all hand shapes, especially looks gentle, and is the most versatile nail shape.
Almond: The tip is sharp and the root is rounded, shaped like an almond. It has an elegant style but may be restrictive in daily activities, suitable for users who like French elegance.
Stiletto: The tip is extremely sharp, with strong visual impact. It is mostly matched with exaggerated decorations, suitable for trendsetters pursuing individuality, and rarely used in daily life.
Classification by Size
Standard Size (S/M/L): Divided into 3 sizes according to the width of the nail bed. Each size contains 10-12 nail tips of different widths (e.g., size S is suitable for nail beds with a width of 15-18mm, size M for 18-21mm, and size L for 21-24mm), which is convenient for most people to match quickly.
Custom Size: Made separately according to the nail bed length and width data provided by the user, perfectly fitting the personal nail bed without loosening or blank spaces. Suitable for users with special nail beds (too wide, too narrow, irregular) or those pursuing extreme fit.
III. What are the Production Bases of Press-On Nails?
During its development, China’s press-on nail industry has formed several industrial bases. These bases have their own advantages in production scale, product characteristics, and other aspects, playing a crucial role in promoting the industry’s rapid growth.
Donghai County, Lianyungang, Jiangsu
Role and Status: Donghai County is recognized as the world’s largest production base for handcrafted press-on nails, proudly earning the title “China’s Press-on Nail Capital.”
Production Characteristics: The county’s focus is on mid-to-high-end, customized handmade press-ons. Leveraging its industrial heritage as the “Crystal Capital,” its nail designs are known for their intricate craftsmanship, artistic complexity, and high added value, often featuring complex decorations and hand-painted details.
Industrial Scale: Its output accounts for over 70% of the national total press-on nail volume. The area maintains a complete industry chain, employing over 50,000 skilled manicurists and housing more than 200 dedicated design and production teams.
Primary Function: Donghai serves as the central hub for wholesale procurement and cross-border e-commerce exports. Products from this region are rapidly gaining international market share due to their unique handcrafted quality and aesthetic appeal.
Yiwu, Zhejiang
Role and Status: Yiwu is primarily the raw material supply and industrialized product distribution center for the press-on nail sector, acting as a critical node in the global small commodities supply chain.
Production Characteristics: Production here is mainly concentrated on raw material supply (such as basic nail tips, gel polish, and adhesives) and the high-volume manufacturing of mass-produced, low-cost machine-made press-on nails. This focuses on efficiency and standardization.
Industrial Scale: It boasts a highly efficient logistics and warehousing infrastructure, establishing it as the most frequent destination for global beauty product buyers seeking ready-stock and generic inventory for quick turnover.
Primary Function: Yiwu is crucial for supply chain support, low-price bulk (generic styles) wholesale, and rapid distribution to satisfy the massive global demand for basic and entry-level press-on nails.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
Role and Status: Guangzhou functions as the center for press-on nail brand operations, technology R&D, and high-end customization services.
Production Characteristics: Leveraging Southern China’s strong chemical and manufacturing base, Guangzhou holds a leading edge in advanced nail material technology (e.g., soft gel materials), non-toxic glues, and new adhesive systems. The cluster primarily offers OEM/ODM services for established major domestic and international brands.
Industrial Scale: This area attracts a large cluster of specialized professionals in the beauty industry, R&D departments of international brands, and sophisticated market marketing teams.
Primary Function: Guangzhou drives branding and product upgrades. It is responsible for the design innovation and stringent quality control of mid-to-high-end press-ons, leading the industry toward professionalism and higher quality standards.
IV. Major Domestic Press-On Nails Manufacturers
Senboma
With 13 years of experience in R&D and production of OEM/ODM press-on nails, Senboma offers one-stop services including press-on nails, salon nails, jelly adhesive strips and UV glue. Positioned as a medium-to-high-end professional brand, it combines international fashion trends and cultural concepts, with products sold globally. It holds multiple patents, has a 12,345㎡ factory and over 123 employees, and its high-quality products are well-received—large U.S. chain press-on nail salons have praised their good quality and rich styles.
MissGel
MissGel specializes in UV/LED nail gel products, but their press-on division focuses on high-quality, durable press-on nails made from UV gel-like materials. They offer extensive OEM/ODM services and have a strong capacity for producing extra-long sizes (XXL, XXXL) and customized designs, aligning with Guangzhou’s high-tech manufacturing base.
Colex (Shenzhen Colex Cosmetics Co., Ltd.)
Colex is a primary manufacturer focusing on high-quality materials, particularly Soft Gel Tips and thick, sturdy ABS material for press-on nails. They offer a wide range of tips, including 5XL ultra-long tips and professional full-cover systems, catering heavily to the wholesale market with a focus on product durability and quality certification.
Yihe Beauty (Donghai County Yihe Beauty Cosmetics Co., Ltd.)
This factory is representative of the Donghai cluster, which specializes in purely handmade and high-luxury press-on nails. Their products feature complex, high-value-added designs, including 3D floral designs, hand-carved elements, and full-diamond zircon heavy crafts, ideal for brands targeting the boutique or luxury customization market.
V. Precautions for Purchasing Press-On Nails: Making an Informed Decision
Once potential press-on nail suppliers and their products have been identified, the following steps can be followed to ensure a smooth procurement process.
1. Start with samples:
Before placing a large order, it’s highly recommended to order samples. This allows you to assess quality in terms of craftsmanship (e.g., smoothness of nail edges, clarity of printed/painted patterns, firmness of decorations like rhinestones or embossments), material performance (flexibility of ABS resin or gel polish nails, adhesion of matching jelly glue/nail glue), and wear experience (fit with different nail bed shapes, comfort without tightness or sharp edges).
2. Evaluate supplier production capacity:
A supplier’s production capacity is key to meeting your needs, especially for bulk orders. Inquire about their daily/monthly output (e.g., number of press-on nail pairs) and delivery timelines. Mature high-volume manufacturers are better at handling large orders efficiently, with stricter control over process stability—critical for maintaining consistency in nail size, color saturation, and decoration placement across batches (e.g., ensuring no missing rhinestones or uneven color on the same style).
3. Consider after-sales support:
A reliable supplier should offer after-sales assistance. This includes return/exchange services for issues like cracked nail tips, peeling patterns, or invalid jelly glue during shipping, as well as rework solutions for bulk products that fail quality standards (e.g., inconsistent nail thickness, mismatched sizes with labeled S/M/L). For custom orders (e.g., private-label designs), confirm if they provide revisions for design deviations.
4. Calculate total costs:
Remember to account for all costs beyond the unit price. This includes shipping fees (press-on nails require shockproof packaging to avoid decoration damage, so dimensional weight may affect costs), import duties, customs clearance fees, local taxes, and potential extra costs for customization (e.g., branded packaging, personalized size sets) or additional accessories (e.g., extra jelly glue packs, glue removers).
5. Conduct due diligence:
Use tools like Alibaba’s “Audited Supplier” badge or third-party inspection services (e.g., SGS, Intertek) to verify the supplier’s qualifications and factory conditions. You can also hire professional sourcing agencies to check their business status—including financial health, actual production lines, past order fulfillment records (e.g., on-time delivery rate), and compliance with safety standards (e.g., whether materials meet GB 24613 for harmful substance limits in nail products)—to minimize collaboration risks.
VI. Choose IMEXsourcing as Your Sourcing Partner for Press-On Nails in China
When it comes to procuring high-quality press-on nails from China, partnering with an experienced and reliable sourcing agent is paramount. IMEXsourcing stands out with a comprehensive service suite designed to streamline your acquisition process and secure exceptional value. Here are compelling reasons to select IMEXsourcing for your next press-on nail purchase:
Extensive Procurement Expertise
IMEXsourcing boasts a profound and long-standing history in the sourcing industry, enabling us to proficiently identify and connect with a wide range of reputable Chinese press-on nail suppliers. Our deep market knowledge ensures we match you with manufacturers known for reliability and superior products, covering everything from high-end handcrafted artisanal press-on nails (e.g., hand-painted, 3D-embossed styles) to mass-produced mechanized options (e.g., basic ABS resin nails, gel polish nails) and custom-labeled sets.
Bespoke Design Solutions
We understand that unique brand needs often demand tailored solutions. IMEXsourcing empowers you to commission press-on nails aligned with your brand identity—whether it’s specific materials (such as eco-friendly ABS resin, high-gloss gel polish, or skin-friendly jelly glue), styles (minimalist daily wear, blingy party designs, elegant wedding sets), or practical details (custom nail shapes like almond or stiletto, personalized size sets for niche markets). Each product is precisely engineered to your specifications, ensuring perfect alignment with your brand positioning.
Thorough Supplier Verification
Our commitment to quality begins with rigorous due diligence. We conduct comprehensive factory audits for all potential manufacturers, verifying their production capabilities (e.g., daily output of press-on nail pairs, ratio of manual to automated production lines), assessing quality control protocols (e.g., decoration firmness testing, color fastness inspection, harmful substance detection), and ensuring full compliance with domestic and international industry standards (such as China’s GB 24613, EU REACH, US CPSIA regulations) and legal requirements.
Expert Price Negotiation
Leveraging our veteran status and in-depth understanding of market dynamics, IMEXsourcing excels in negotiation. This expertise allows us to secure the most favorable pricing and terms with top-tier press-on nail manufacturers renowned for their craftsmanship (e.g., smooth edge finishing, clear pattern printing), material control (e.g., non-toxic adhesives, durable decorations), after-sales service, and cost efficiency, optimizing your investment.
Stringent Quality Assurance
IMEXsourcing implements a robust quality management framework spanning the entire procurement cycle, including careful supplier selection, diligent production oversight (such as checking nail thickness consistency, decoration adhesion, and size accuracy), and thorough pre-shipment testing (such as wear durability assessment, heat/cold resistance evaluation, and packaging integrity checks), guaranteeing the integrity and performance of your press-on nails.
VII. Conclusion
In conclusion, the Chinese press-on nails market presents abundant opportunities for global buyers. By carefully researching product categories (from affordable daily-wear ABS resin nails to high-end hand-painted artisanal sets), clarifying technical specifications (such as material safety standards, nail shape customization, and decoration durability), and following a systematic procurement process, importers can source high-quality, cost-effective press-on nails to meet diverse market demands—whether for retail, beauty salon supplies, or custom brand needs.
Notably, Donghai County (in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province), China’s largest press-on nails production base, accounts for over 70% of the national total output and is home to more than 24,000 industry-related business entities. While many local manufacturers excel in production efficiency, style diversity, and adherence to quality standards (e.g., China’s GB 24613), a significant number lack independent foreign trade capabilities—such as expertise in cross-border logistics, multilingual client support, and compliance with global certification requirements (e.g., EU REACH, US CPSIA). This is where partnering with IMEXsourcing becomes your optimal choice: we bridge the gap between these capable manufacturers and global buyers, leveraging our local resources and trade expertise to streamline procurement, ensuring you access top-tier press-on nails without the barriers of limited foreign trade capacity.
Moreover, collaborating with reliable partners like IMEXsourcing and conducting thorough due diligence (including factory verification, pre-shipment quality inspections, and cost transparency checks) not only makes the procurement process efficient but also minimizes risks associated with international trade—such as quality inconsistencies, delivery delays, or certification non-compliance. This strategic approach not only enhances the value of your procurement (securing high-quality press-on nails at competitive prices) but also fosters long-term, trustworthy business relationships. In turn, this contributes to sustained profitability for your business and strengthens your competitiveness in the global press-on nails market.
