Button maker

Noisebridge has a 1 inch button maker machine. A mysterious benefactor donated it. Thank you! If you know the donor, feel free to edit this page and attribute them. It's usually kept in the area where the 3D printers are.

Noisebridge button maker on shelf

How to make button artwork

The artwork needs to be bigger than the button, because it wraps around the edge. The button diameter is 1 inch and the artwork needs to be 1.325 (one and three eights) inches in diameter. The artwork can be cut out with scissors, or with an X-acto knife around a 1.325 inch diameter acrylic template, or with the laser cutter (if you've been safety trained).

How to use the button maker machine

Your button will be composed of 4 or 5 parts, from bottom to top:

• plastic backing with pin
• circle of cardboard to make the button poofier -- OPTIONAL
• metal cover (gives the button its shape)
• artwork (printed on paper)
• mylar cover

Noisebridge button maker supplies

To make the button, follow the instructions written on the machine.

First, slide the white bar of the button maker so that the left side is under the press.

In the chamber place:

• metal cover
• artwork
• mylar cover

Press the handle down to secure the artwork and mylar cover onto the metal. The materials will be in the top of the pressing chamber after pressing.

Slide the white bar of the button maker so that the right side is under the press. In the chamber place:

• plastic backing (zig zag side of pin facing up)
• cardboard circle -- OPTIONAL

Press the handle down to secure the cover onto the pin backing.

Noisebridge button maker instructions written on machine

How to get more button making supplies

The last time more button making supplies was donated, it cost $87 for supplies for 2000 buttons: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6V19AX

The cardboard circles are 2cm in diameter, and they were cut by the laser cutter.