Make a Badge Pin
Badge pins are a cool way to decorate and personalize otherwise drab clothing/bags etc. Pin them anywhere you want for that unique touch. With your own easy-to-make circular badge pin, you can be sure that no one else will have the same as you!
Contents
Steps
Using Snap-In Buttons
- Purchase snap-in casing buttons. These can be found online and in craft stores. They come in a variety of sizes and quantities.
- Print and cut out your image. For this method you should print your image on regular printer paper. Make sure it is the correct size for the button diameter.
- Place the image in the bowl portion of the button. The image should be facing the bottom of the bowl.
- Snap in the pin-back. That’s all there is to it!
- Reuse the pin casing if you want to. This type of pin casing can be reused. Simply pull the button apart.
Using a Button Machine
- Get a button machine. You’ll need a button press. There are small, simple versions that are available for cheap but these often produce a cheap-looking button. If you want to produce a nice final product and you have a lot of buttons to make (>500, maybe), then a press may be a good idea.
- You may also want to get a paper cutter designed for buttons, since this can make the process much faster. places that sell button presses often sell the cutters as well. Make sure to buy a cutter which is for the same size as your button machine.
- Get the button casing. You will need button casing in the correct size for your machine. Make sure you have the metal or plastic disk, the matching back pin, and the mylar plastic front.
- Cut out the images. Print the images on regular printer paper. Make sure they are the right size for your buttons. Cut them as evenly and cleanly as you can.
- Place the disk in the press. The rounded top should be facing up and the disk should be placed in the side which swings and stops on the right (theoretically, the left hole).
- Place the image on the disk. The image should be face up and aligned how you wish it to appear (assuming the holders are in the horizontal position). Cover the image with the clear plastic.
- Place the pin back. The pin back goes in the other holder. The pin side should be facing down and the coil should be pointing to the right (and aligned horizontally).
- Press the image set. Turn the holders so that the pieces with the image are under the press. Press down the handle. The pieces should disappear.
- Press the pin back. Turn the holders the opposite way so that the pin back is under the press. Press this down.
- Remove your pin. You’re done! Enjoy your badge!
Reusing Existing Buttons
- Find old buttons. If you only need a few buttons (less than 25) and you aren’t too worried about how professional they look, you can reuse old buttons. Find several in the size you want. They do not necessarily have to be the same size but if they aren’t, you’ll need to make different sized images.
- Get your graphic. You’ll need to create or otherwise get the image you intend to have on the button, sized correctly for the button diameter. Print out a sheet of these images on regular printer paper or photo paper if you’re feeling fancy.
- Do test sheets on regular paper first, to make sure the image comes out the right size.
- Cut out the image. Cut out the image using sharp scissors, being as careful as you possibly can.
- Glue the image to the button. The best glue to use will be rubber cement. This is strong and creates a very flat appearance.
Warnings
- Always keep sharp objects (like the above) away from the reach of young children and pets.
- Craft knives are sharp, too. The obvious "be careful" also applies here.
- Safety pins are sharp! Be careful when fastening and unfastening them to avoid pricking yourself. Keep the safety pin fastened when not in use.
Things You'll Need
- An image for the front of the badge
- A (colour?) printer
- Normal or photo paper
- Scissors or craft knife
- Glue and/or tape
- Button parts
- Possibly a button machine/press/maker
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