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Button Making 101: What you Need to Get Started

Do you want to break into the button scene with a new button maker but don’t know where to begin? With Tecre’s seemingly infinite variety of button making supplies and equipment, it may be easy to lose yourself in the sea of button making options. Tecre is here to break things down to the most basic origins of button making.

The good news is there are only three things needed to get started; the button maker machine, the cutter, and the button making supplies. The bad news – oh wait, there is no bad news. It’s that simple.

Button Making Kit - Tecre

Click here to view some of Tecre’s Button Making Kits.

You can expect to spend approximately $500 – $550 on a startup button making kit for the standard to smaller button sizes.  For some this investment marks the beginning of a new hobby venture while for others it kicks off a lucrative business.  Depending on the size, the cost per button typically ranges $0.04 – $0.07.  Let us repeat that – 4 to 7 cents.  That’s 4¢ – 7¢.  Per button.  If these numbers aren’t astounding to you let us help you with some simple math.   If each of those 1,000 buttons were sold for $1, you would pay for the complete button making kit.  Twice.  Are you seeing the writing on the board yet?Button Maker Machine - Tecre

In evaluating your first purchase, here are some button making tips you may want to keep in mind:

  • Choose one size.  Each button maker machine and punch combo are intended for one button size only
  • Consider the market.  In selecting which button size you would like to produce, consider first the industry or target markets.   Large buttons such as 3 or 3-1/2” are popular sizes for photo buttons.  The very small sizes such as 1” or 1-1/4” are popular in industries that deal with teens and young adults.  This is also a very common band merch size.  2-1/4” is the standard, most widespread size – with popularity in many industries such as advertising, political, promotional, etc.  Please call us if you would like to discuss these options more in depth!
  • Get the best price.  The price breaks for the button making supplies start at quantities of 1,000 or more.  Ordering at this level drops your cost down to pennies per button.

Once you purchase and receive your Tecre button making kit, it will be time to start making buttons! You likely will have already explored your paper options but if you need a little more guidance in this territory, please visit The Great Paper Debate blog post. And if your head is not already exploding with graphic ideas for your buttons, visit Free Resources for Button Making to find some truly unique button making ideas.

Happy button making!

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This entry was posted in Button Making Kit, Button Making Supplies, Cutting Equipment, Manual Button Maker Machine and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

10 Responses to Button Making 101: What you Need to Get Started

  1. Emmanuel says:

    I like this! I wanna be Mr button Rwanda(East Africa)
    what can I do?

  2. Keith Phipps says:

    Do you finance these kits or do I have to pay for everything at one time? Also, I was thinking about the 2 1/4 inch size. What do I need to get started with.

    • Tecre says:

      Hi Keith! We do work with some leasing companies for the higher value electric equipment but have not yet on the manual equipment. The 2-1/4″ starting button maker kit (button maker machine, cutter, and 1,000 parts) will be about $500 with shipping. Please feel free to call us if you have any more questions! The 2-1/4″ is a great button size to start with as it appeals to many markets!

  3. Tim Jeffery says:

    Hi,
    I can’t wait to get started. I appreciate quality and after doing my research I would like to buy a 1-1/4″ Tecre Button Maker, 1000 pin backs, and 1000 magnets (and possibly the 1-1/4″ graphic punch). I live on the Central Coast in NSW in Australia (about an hour north of Sydney). Can I please buy direct from Tecre?

    Thank you

  4. Prashant Kadam says:

    Hi Tecre,
    I am from India. I want to start button badge making business at home. Your blog is very insightful. I gained very good information.

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