Button Making in the Design Lab

How to Make a Button in the Shapiro Design Lab

You're ready to make some buttons, great! In the Design Lab we have American Button Machines Links to an external site. makers in 1.25" and 2.25" sizes. You can find artwork or create your own using button templates on the following pages. The process once your artwork is ready is pretty simple with just a few steps. 

6 Steps to Make a Button:

1. Prepare artwork by cutting to the button size 
2. Insert button front, artwork, then mylar face up into shallow die of button maker
3. Swivel the button machine base and pull handle down
4. Insert button back, pin side down, into button maker’s deeper die
5. Swivel base again and pull handle down
6. Swivel back one last time and remove the finished button

The professionals over at American Button Machines have a quick demonstration of the whole process. 

Getting to know the Button Makers

The Design Lab doesn't have dedicated button making software. Instead you can use any program you are familiar with for graphic design. There are punches and scissors available as well as collaging materials if you are looking for old magazines or books to create designs from.

These are the button maker models you will be working with.

These are the front dies on the button makers. There is a slot to hold the button shell. The shell is the outward facing part of the button on which you will place your design.

These are the back dies of both makers. This is where you will place the back of the buttons which contains pin.