Button Making is a fun and easy way to make your own pin back buttons. These can be used to display a message, slogan or picture and can be worn on clothing, accessories and other items. They can also be used as gifts or to decorate items in the home. There are many different types of button makers available that are suited to different types of materials and projects. Choosing the right type of button maker can be confusing for someone who is new to the process. This article will discuss some of the most popular options, features and tips to help people make the best choice for their project.
There are 2 main types of button machines – plastic and fabric. Plastic button machines produce pin back buttons that can be used to embellish garments and other items. Fabric button machines produce buttons with a sewing-friendly fabric backing that can be sewn on to fabric items such as clothes or accessories. They can also be used to make other items such as bottle openers or rope ties.
The first step in making a button is to prepare the artwork. The art can be printed off from a computer or drawn on by hand with markers. Ensure the art is the same size and shape as the button casing. For a more professional look you can use a circle cutter to ensure that the circles are as perfect as possible.
Once the artwork has been prepared it is placed over a thin plastic film and then pressed onto the front half of the metal button. The button is then crimped to secure the artwork and the film. A button should be firmly crimped to avoid any gaps in the finish.
Once a button has been made it can be decorated by adding paint, markers or other decoration. You can even draw on the frosted plastic with permanent pens or colored pencils (spirit-based ink works best) before it is shrunk. If you want to create a more detailed design on your frosted plastic button, you can stamp it while it is still soft.
The UW-Madison Maker Hub offers 1 inch and 2.25 inch button makers for users to rent by reservation. To reserve a machine check the calendar for availability and submit a request. If there are no conflicts with other reservations the machine will be reserved for you and you will receive an email confirmation. Reservations can be made for up to 3 days at a time. Consecutive rentals by the same person are not allowed. If you need to extend your rental for another day or two you can contact the staff to see if it is possible. If the staff agrees to an extension the rental fee will be prorated for the additional days. The button maker is a great tool to have on hand when creating items for an event, school activity or just for fun!