Category Archives: Button Making Ideas

Button Designer

So, you received your button machine in the mail and you’re ready to start making buttons…  but you don’t even know where to begin when it comes to deigning.

Below is a little guide for you on using the free button designer website to help relieve all your stress when it comes to setting up your designs. You may remember our post from a couple years back on the launch of the new free software, but let’s recap here.

 

 

PICTURE IT IF YOU WILL…

It’s been a long day, and you still have a bunch buttons to design for that super important thing tomorrow.

Most people would start brewing that late-night cup of coffee, and get ready to hunker down for the long haul…

But not you! You head over to button-designer.com

WHAT IS BUTTON-DESIGNER?

It’s a website that makes it really simple to whip together button designs. And best of all? It’s freeeeeee 🙂

The website allows you to add an uploaded image, text, icons, etc. to a button template of any size. Once you’re done, the button design is saved as a PDF print sheet, and is ready to be cut and pressed.

 

HOW TO USE BUTTON-DESIGER: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

1. Go to www.button-designer.com

2. Create a Free Account

3. Select the size of button you are going to design. We carry the button parts and presses for ALL sizes that button-designer offers.

 

4. If you would like to upload an image, Click on “Image Upload” and select your file.

5. Click on any element of the button that you wish to change. For example, to change the maple leaf icon, click the icon on the button template.

6. Use the check boxes to turn off the elements you don’t want or turn on the elements you do want.

7. Click and drag to move the elements on the button face.

8. Once you’re happy with the button design, click the save button. To view the buttons you have saved, go to the button gallery. From there you can print a single button, or create print sheets of one OR multiple designs! 

 

9. Make your buttons

10. Wear you button proudly and get many high-fives and compliments! 

 

YOU CAN USE BUTTON-DESIGNER IF YOU’RE ORDER CUSTOM BUTTONS FROM US TOO!

If you are ordering custom buttons from People Power Press, you can use the Online Button-Designer to create the artwork. All you need to do is provide us with your user name and the image title 🙂 We will retrieve your artwork and produce your custom order!

 

 

 

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Filed under Button artwork, Button design, Button Designer Software, Button Making, Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, custom buttons, printing buttons

Designing your buttons

vintage pin back buttons

The most important part of your button is the design.

What is the message you are trying to get across to your audience and how are you going to do so in a creative way. Always keep in mind when designing, “is this a button that I would wear?”

Personally, when I am designing my buttons I tend to get inspired by vintage pin-back buttons that have been created in the past. I love the colour schemes, typography, composition and placement; these are all things you should keep in mind when you start designing your buttons. Don’t forget to look at the end product; the physical size of the button is part of the design.

For some quick advice on design look at this great article “10 Rules of Composition All Designers Live By” and if you need some design inspiration I like to use designspiration.net I find looking at work from other graphic designers help me come up with my own concepts, but be sure to not copy other people’s work. Inspiration and copyright are two very different things.

Sometimes simple designs are all you need. Too much information on a button can lose the attention from your audience and lose the message you are trying to get across altogether.

If you feel as if designing something yourself is totally out of your realm and you need advice or an expert. Hire a graphic designer, there are so many talented designers whom would be pleased to help create a great logo or design for you. It may not be cheap, but your end product will be well received.

You can find a designer in Canada using this directory here. Or just google search your city and graphic designer and see what local talents pop up.

Happy Designing!

pin designs

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Filed under Button artwork, Button design, Button Making Ideas, printing buttons, Uncategorized

Mylar or no mylar?

button finishes

button finishes

 

Photo above: White People Power Press button is using standard mylar, Yellow People Power Press button is using lamination, Purple People Power Press button is using a thicker paper with no mylar at all. Shiny buttons is with using the Dura-lar technique which I explained last week.

 

Hi Button Guy,

 I recently purchased a Flex 2000 Kit. Made some buttons, and all works great. I have a question about the mylar inserts. Is there such thing as multiple finishes, such as matte or gloss? Seems like I can only find information on using the standard glossy mylar.

There are a few more options you could try to make the buttons you desire without using the standard glossy mylar.

  1. You could laminate your button designs before cutting the papers. Use a thin laminate such as 1mm or 2mm.
  2. You could use a thick paper like card stock and not use the mylar at all.
  3. You could put a matte tape over the design before cutting the papers. This might be the cheapest and easiest way to do it, but it could also be the weakest and the tape could tear or rip.

For information on printing on Dura-lar, check out my post last week

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Filed under Button artwork, Button design, Button Making, Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, custom buttons

Making buttons with the Flex1000 Hand Press

flex1000-holiday-start-up-kit_1024x1024

flex 1000

Hi Button Guy,

We purchased the Flex1000 press and finally had some time to try out making buttons.  We started with 2.25″.  The press we have is somewhat different than the one in the videos

Our best button was one that sort of went together but fell apart after 5 minutes of use.  We identified a few possible areas for error.  Maybe you can give us some pointers regarding what we are doing wrong.

1) We found the cutter made circles that are just slightly too big.  We corrected for that be doing extra careful trimming and this seemed to help.

2) There are three plastic rings in the 2.25 die whereas the 3″ die does not have any.  The booklet talks about using 1 plastic ring.  We tried with three and it didn’t work.  When we tried with one we got a button that lasted 5 minutes.  Should we be using the plastic rings?

3) Any other pointers you can give us?

4)  Is there a particular weight of paper we should use? We are kind of frustrated.

 

 

Sorry to hear you’re frustrated.

Here’s a video that shows the machine you have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUFjU1MNYiY

  1. The paper circles are supposed to be bigger than your button shell because they will wrap around the shell as the button is pressed together. You do need to be careful when cutting the paper circles and make sure the cutter doesn’t move positions on the paper. The mylar and paper circles will fit very tightly in the left die tray and there should not be much wiggle room.
  2. The 3″ die does not come with a plastic ring. It should work without the ring. It is just the 2-1/4″ die set that needs 1 ring (and you have 2 extra included in case you lose the ring).
  3. If you are still having troubles check out the videos email me pictures of the buttons you made and that will help out a lot in trying to figure out a solution.
  4. A standard, 20lb paper will be fine. The machine may have trouble with thicker paper (photograph paper), as it could have difficulty crimping around the pin-back

Also, there is always some spoilage or button mistakes when hand pressing buttons. So the FlexPress will not work perfectly every time.

 

 

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Filed under Button artwork, Button Makers & Kids, Button Making, Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, Button Making Parts, Buying A Button Maker, custom buttons

Printing on Dura-Lar

NYE_Buttons_2015_2_large NYE_Buttons_2015_3_large

I just love the principal behind those New Year buttons  (buttons by people power press)– I think I understand – print on the transfer, instead of a printed button template, cut out a gift wrap or even a Christmas Card OR use silver/gold napkin paper and then print on the Dura-Lar film, using it as the the cover instead of the round Mylar – did I say that correctly???NOW! my question – can I assume this Dura-Lar film is like a transparency? and you must use a Laser or copier – where the pattern, words or design is burned into the film instead of an ink jet printer????

 

These are sheets much like transparencies, you are right, that you place into your printer like paper. The People Power Press sell them in single sheets (so you can test it) and in packs. You would then cut the circles as you cut your other printed designs. http://peoplepowerpress.org/products/dura-lar-film-for-printing-and-button-making

You can also use brightly coloured acetate for extra bright colours: http://peoplepowerpress.org/products/acetate-for-printing-and-button-making

It is best to print so that the black text is inside the button so it won’t be scratched off. Yes, the printer matters. You need a laser printer for Dura-Lar as both sides are shiny and an Inkjet printer needs a textured side to have something for the ink to adhere to. I’ve also have found having a dehumidifier nearby helps the ink attach to the sheet much better too. (That is an important shop trick I have learned over the years!) That being said, you can get transparent sheets from a store like Staples that you can use with an Inkjet printer – just be sure that one side is textured and print on that side or else the ink will just smear when it hits the shiny side.

Then you place a glittery holographic paper that you can buy in rolls from a craft store underneath the Dura-Lar, but you can place whatever paper you would like under there. Sometimes, if I want the background to be silver we just let the tin shell show through.

 

view our similar post in 2013 for any additional questions you may have

 

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Filed under Button Making, Button Making Ideas, custom buttons, Uncategorized

….i’m back

Oh, I know I’ve been gone for so long.

But guess what,  I’m back and ready to answer all the questions that may be floating around in your heads!

I’ll start with an email I recently received regarding machine maintenance.

Hello,

These are pictures of my 2.25″ machine. You can see the mylar jammed in. I was looking for advice in how easy it would be to take this apart to clean and put back together. 1

You can clear rust with WD-40 but it also removes grease and all lubricants.  So once cleaned of rust, you need to thoroughly grease and lube the machine.

If the mylar does not pull out with pliers undo the screw in the upper die and take the die out. Separate the shaft to remove mylar, lube and then put back together.

 

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Filed under Button Makers & Kids, Button Making, Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, Button Making Parts, Buying A Button Maker, custom buttons

A new button store opening in Montreal. Custom Buttons galore on Ste Catherine Est!

Great news for  all button makers and button people in Montreal.  The guys from Pinscity and Bomacaron have got together to open a button store on Ste. Catherine East in Montreal.

Nic and Joel are making custom buttons right there in the store and both are experienced button makers who can help and advise on any button making project.  Ontario has had a button store for some time, in Toronto, but this is the first button store I have heard of in Quebec. They are stocking button makers, button machines and button parts right there in downtown Montreal.

This is what the store looked like in August 2014 and this is what it still looks like on Google street view.

New Button Store opening in Montreal

New Button Store opening in Montreal

Yes I don’t see a button shop either.  But this is Google street view, it’s always out of date!

The new store is the one with the “Bieres” sign and next time I’m in Montreal I’m going to swing by and see how Joel and Nic are doing.  I will provide a new update with the current picture soon.  In the meantime lets support these guys and their brave new venture!

Macaron Machine Inc.
dba Bomacaron.com & Pinscity.com
4204 Ste-Catherine East
Montreal, Quebec
H1V 1X3

Store closed.  In the meantime get custom buttons made  1-866 996 1984

Checkout the website!     Critical Custom Buttons in Montreal

You can also buy button makers, get supplies for button machines or get buttons made.  Serving Montreal amd Quebec

 

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Filed under Anime Buttons, Button artwork, Button design, Button Designer Software, Button Makers & Kids, Button Making, Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, Button Making Parts, Button vending, Buying A Button Maker, custom buttons, Fundraising, Fundraising with Buttons, Interchangeable Die Button Makers, Magnet Buttons, Multi Die Button Makers, Multiple Die Button Makers, printing buttons, Printing custom buttons, Selling Buttons, Small Business Start Up, Starting a custom button business

Button Vending Machines – Put your button sales on automatic – Gumball machines for buttons!

Selling your button designs in stores can be a great way to launch your button business.  But buttons are a low cost item that can walk very easily if you have them in a jar on the counter or on a board.  Packaging buttons is a good way to go.  You can make sets of matching buttons and put them on a display card or 4 in a bag with a header card.  I will be writing a separate article about button packaging in due course.  Another way to ensure you don’t loose buttons to pilfering is sell them using a button vending machine.

These machines are traditional gumball machines converted to take capsules.  You can then add multiple buttons in a capsule or also put a special offer or a coupon code in the capsule.  People enjoy putting in a coin and turning the handle to see what they are going to get.  There is a nostalgia surrounding the gumball machines.  Everyone remembers them from their childhood.  Button vending machines work for you whilst you are somewhere else, maybe making or designing buttons, maybe at home tucked up in bed with a good book.  Put your button sales on Automatic!

Beaver Meridian Gumball Machine

Beaver Meridian Gumball Machine

Button Vending Machine

Button Vending Machine uses capsules

 

This is the flagship!  The Beaver Meridian Gumball Machine is a very cool retro style solid metal machine in bright red and designed like a globe.  I think it looks very cool.  As with all these machines there are some options for the coin mechanism.  You can go for a coin mechanism that takes a quarter, two quarters or even 4 quarters.  If your in Canada you can have a loonie or toonie coin mechanism.  You can even have 2 x $1 or 2 x $2.  All these machines also have the option for TOKENS or FREE VEND options.

Beaver Coin Mechanism

Coin Mechanism for a Beaver Meridian Gumball Machine

 

The above Button Vending Machine – Meridian is quite pricy ($600 – $800) and at 70 lbs it’s quite expensive to ship.  But there are other options:

Northern Beaver Vending Machine

Northern Beaver Vending Machine

The Northern Beaver takes 1″ or 2″ or 3″ capsules.  You can fit 3 1″ buttons or magnets in a 1″ acorn capsule.  You can fit 3 buttons or magnets up to 1-3/4″ in a 2″ acorn capsule.  The 3″ capsules are a quarter each so I find them a bit expensive but they do take a few 2-1/4″ buttons.  The 2″ acorn capsules are only 5 cents each, the 1″ acorn capsules go down to 3 cents each. I see more opportunity in those than the 3″ buttons.  Get more information on vending capsules here.

Round Beaver Button Vending Machine

Round Beaver Button Vending Machine

The Round Beaver has all the coin mechanism options but is only available for 1″ vending capsules.  The stand is also an optional extra.  They sit nicely on the counter and come with fixtures for bolting down or attaching a security wire (as do all Beaver vending machines).  The Round Beaver you can pickup for around $150.

Marketing and promotion options using a Button Vending Machine.

Above I’m talking about selling buttons but there are also other uses.  These machines have interchangeable coin mechanisms.  Those coin mechanisms can have some interesting possibilities. The FREE VEND option is a coin mechanism that requires no coin.  Just turn the handle and out pops the capsule.  Why is this useful?

Think of putting a machine in a local venue like an art gallery or a café.  When someone turns the handle they get a free button and an ad.  That ad could lead potential clients to your store, your website or to your latest special offer.  A great way to get customers coming to you.

What about TOKEN VENDING?  Our mechanism takes a 0.984″ token which is a pretty standard token size.  You can get tokens personalised, stamped with your website or your logo.  You can send a token to your mailing list, give a token out at trade shows or even walk the streets and hand out your token.  It will bring people to your store or event.  Event and party organisers can use tokens to distribute “random” capsules that are a kind of lottery.  What about a party where you have to find the person with the matching button.  The Button Vending Machine keeps the mix random.

How do I promote my website or business with a Button Vending Machine.

Depends on your business ….. but let’s say you have a bicycle store for example.  Come up with 5 or 10 slogans about cycling.  I love my bike!  Cyclists do it better!  Watch for cyclists!  etc.  Make some cool designs, add a button or magnet business card so there are 2 buttons in the capsule.   Get a Button Vending Machine with a $1 mechanism and set it up in your cycle shop.  Your customers will like the slogan, buy the button and take home your business card for the fridge.  If it cost a $1 they will appreciate it – If you give them away we all know how many end up in the garbage!  Entertain your customers AND promote your business.  The $1 coins will pay for the buttons and the machine in no time.  This method can be adapted to almost ANY BUSINESS and it works.

1" Acorn Capsules

1″ Acorn Capsules can take 3 1″ buttons or magnets

All machines take the 1″ capsules.  If you want larger capsules take a look at the Northern Beaver.  If you can go with the 1″ capsule then the Southern Beaver below is the low cost option at under $100.  It also has the full choice of coin mechanisms and you will have to refill the capsules and empty the cash more often as it is smaller.  But it works.

Southern Beaver

The Southern Beaver is the low cost option.

Button vending machines are useful for selling buttons, fundraising with buttons promoting your button business or really just promoting any business.  There are few businesses that would not benefit from a solid button campaign.  Want to run a button campaign?  Ask The Button Guy.

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Filed under Button Making Business, Button Making Ideas, Button vending, Fundraising, Fundraising with Buttons, Selling Buttons, Small Business Start Up, Starting a custom button business

Gold and silver pin-back buttons – Button Making Ideas!

The problem is quite simple.  How do I make buttons that are fluorescent?  My printer cannot print fluorescent colours.  How do I make gold or silver buttons? My printer cannot print gold or silver.  Well the fact is very few printers can print fluorescent colours or gold.  Even bright pink is difficult to reproduce so this article explains how to get around the limitations of printing and put really bright colors on a button. So if you want bright pink buttons just use this idea and substitute the gold paper for fluorescent pink or whatever color you choose.

I will use the example of gold because no printer can print shiny reflective gold.

What do you need to make really shiny gold buttons:

  • Gold foil paper
  • Printable acetate transparencies
  • Circle cutter, printer and button maker (Just like you need for any button making job)

Make your artwork just like you would for any button and then reverse it. Then simply print the reverse image on a transparency.  Lay the transparency over a sheet of the gold foil paper and cut out the gold sheet and acetate together. If you have trouble with the gold foil you can always cut it separately with scissors and put it under the acetate.  It only need show through where there is no colour printed on the acetate.  You don’t even need to cut very accurately.  Now put acetate with gold backing into the button maker and press as normal. Voila!

Another tip is to print the image NOT reversed and lay the acetate over the gold foil print side down.  This way the print side is protected.  Depending on your printer and acetate combo the ink may scratch off.  This way your print is protected.

acetate for button printing

A printed transparency with the image showing through the clear acetate. The printer printed on the reverse of this transparency to protect the print surface.

printed acetate sheet for pin-back buttons.

The printed sheet is placed over a gold foil sheet with printed side down but image showing correctly through the acetate. Note the photo here cannot reproduce the shiny gold as per the actual gold leaf. You need to see this button. It shines!

 

Die cutting gold leaf pin-back buttons

Here we cut the acetate and the gold leaf die simultaneously using a cutting die. If you are using a graphic punch to make your buttons then cut the acetate with your punch and cut the gold leaf with scissors.

Eye catching gold leaf buttons

Finished buttons with shiny gold showing through the acetate. A great way to make visually striking buttons. This photo here cannot reproduce the eye catching gold.
Make one yourself and see what I mean.

Syndicated article from The Button GuySyndicated blog from TheButtonGuy.net This article is reprinted with permission. http://TheButtonGuy.net/

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Filed under Button Making Ideas, printing buttons, Printing custom buttons

New product for 1″ Button Makers – Button Jewelery – Artclix Pendants and bracelets with 1″ button art!

I just saw this on People Power Press –  This is cool.  A great way to utilise a 1″ button maker to make jewelry.

The Artclix metal pendants and bracelets have a rare earth magnet inside so you can change your bracelet or pendant design like you change your undies.

button pendants and button bracelets

Artclix jewelery for pendants and bracelets with your 1″ button maker.

You can find the bracelets here on People Power Press.  Pendants here.

 

Artclix Magnetic Button Bracelets

Button bracelets available so you can have interchangeable sets of button designs on a magnetic bracelet button holder.

How do you spell Jewelry Jewellery Jewelery?  No idea!

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