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Emerging Technology

Button Making

Use the button maker to make 1.5" pin-back buttons. Use our template to create your design, trim it to size using our paper cutter and get pressing!

Book It or Borrow It!

Book the Button Maker to use in the Makerspace for up to 2 hours per day. 

  • Please book the Button Maker online at either the Story Arts Centre Library or the Progress Library. Click here to borrow the Button Maker to use at other Libraries and for events. To receive free donated magnet supplies with your Button Maker booking, please complete this request form.

1.5" Button Maker & Graphic Punch
 

 

 

How much does it cost?

While there is no cost to use the button maker, there is a cost for the materials:

  • Buttons: $0.30/button

You can request a maximum of 100 of each supply. For more than 100, please visit and order from People Power Press - PARTS & SUPPLIES FOR STANDARD 1-1/2" BUTTON MAKERS, then from the drop-down menu, for buttons supplies - select "EVERYTHING for Pinback BUTTONS".

Getting Started

Create or find a design

Create a design

  • To create your own design, download our button & magnet template.
  • Create a design that fits inside each circle on the template.
  • Place important words and images in the centre of the circle. Parts of the design along the outside of the circle (1cm from the edge) may get cut off by the machine.

Find a design

  • Find an image from a magazine that you might want to turn into a button. To get a sense of the size of image you can use, use our button & magnet template
  • Some magazines, markers, stickers and scissors may also be available in the makerspace; however, the Makerspace is only able to provide these materials on a limited basis

Cut your Design

Use the graphic hole punch to cut your design from the template:

  1. Slide your design through the hole punch. 
  2. Pull down on the red handle.
  3. Press up on the metal cylinder below the punch to release your design. 

Produce your Design

Create a button

  1. Grab a button top/shell and place it face up in the pick-up die.
  2. Place your cut design on top of the button top/shell. 
  3. Place a piece of mylar plastic on top of the design. 
  4. Spin the pick-up die from one side of the button maker to the other. 
  5. Place a pin-back with the pin side down into the die. 
  6. Pull the button maker handle down. This will pick-up your design. 
  7. Swing the die to the other side of the button maker. 
  8. Pull the button maker handle down again. This will add the pin-back to your design. 
  9. Pick up your button from the button maker! 
 
button top/shell mylar plastic pin-back

 

Create a magnet

  1. Grab a magnet top/shell and place it face up in the pick-up die.
  2. Place your cut design on top of the magnet top/shell.
  3. Place a piece of mylar plastic on top of the design. 
  4. Spin the pick-up die from one side of the button maker to the other.
  5. Place a metal magnet backing into the crimp die with the sharp side up. 
  6. Place a magnet into the metal magnet backing. 
  7. Pull the button maker handle down. This will pick-up your design. 
  8. Swing the die to the other side of the button maker. 
  9. Pull the button maker handle down again. This will add the magnet back to your design. 

 

 
magnet top/shell mylar plastic metal magnet backing magnet
       

Button Maker Template

Download our button making template to create your own design

Access the template in different formats:

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