Library Guides: Emerging Technology: Button Maker

Button & Magnet Making

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

Book It!

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

If you have never used the button maker before: Visit the library makerspace to sign a Makerspace Equipment Use Agreement and gain booking privileges.
If you have used the Button Maker before, please book online.

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: $0.25/button
Magnets: $1.00/magnet

After you have created your buttons/magnets, please inform the Peer Tech Mentor of the number of buttons/magnets created and they will charge your account. You can pay for your buttons/magnets at the library circulation.

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 or magnet. 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:

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

Produce your Design

Create a button

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

Create a magnet

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

Button Maker Template

Download our button making template to create your own design

Access the template in different formats: