How to 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!

Things You Should Know

  • You can easily make a badge pin by placing a printed image in a snap-in casing button.
  • Alternatively, you can use a button machine to quickly make multiple badge pins.
  • If you have existing buttons, you can glue new images to the front with rubber cement.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Snap-In Buttons

  1. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 1
    1
    Purchase snap-in casing buttons. These can be found online and in craft stores. They come in a variety of sizes and quantities.
  2. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 2
    2
    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.[1]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 3
    3
    Place the image in the bowl portion of the button. The image should be facing the bottom of the bowl.[2]
  4. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 4
    4
    Snap in the pin-back. That's all there is to it!
  5. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 5
    5
    Reuse the pin casing if you want to. This type of pin casing can be reused. Simply pull the button apart.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Button Machine

  1. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 6
    1
    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 that is the same size as your button machine.[3]
  2. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 7
    2
    Get the button casing. You will need a 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.
  3. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 8
    3
    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.
  4. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 9
    4
    Place the disk in the press. The rounded top should be facing up and the disk should be placed on the side which swings and stops on the right (theoretically, the left hole).[4]
  5. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 10
    5
    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.[5]
  6. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 11
    6
    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).
  7. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 12
    7
    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.
  8. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 13
    8
    Press the pin back. Turn the holders the opposite way so that the pin back is under the press. Press this down.
  9. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 14
    9
    Remove your pin. You're done! Enjoy your badge!
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Reusing Existing Buttons

  1. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 15
    1
    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.
  2. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 16
    2
    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.
  3. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 17
    3
    Cut out the image. Cut out the image using sharp scissors, being as careful as you possibly can.
  4. Image titled Make a Badge Pin Step 18
    4
    Glue the image to the button. The best glue to use will be rubber cement. This is strong and creates a very flat appearance.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How would I prevent from getting ruined in the rain if I did method 3?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try laminating the image before sticking it on.
  • Question
    What do I do if I don't have a button machine?
    Beth H.
    Beth H.
    Community Answer
    Buy buttons that snap in at your local craft store.
  • Question
    Where in Australia can I buy snap in buttons?
    Beth H.
    Beth H.
    Community Answer
    If you Google "snap in buttons in Australia" you will find a list of places that you can buy them.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Always keep sharp objects (like the pin) away from the reach of young children and pets.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • An image for the front of the badge
  • A color printer
  • Normal or photo paper
  • Scissors or craft knife
  • Glue and/or tape
  • Button parts
  • Possibly a button machine/press/maker

You Might Also Like

Look Like an Individual While Wearing a School Uniform
How to
Look Like an Individual While Wearing a School Uniform
Print a Document
How to
Print a Document
3 Gorgeous Paper Rings You Can Easily Make at Home
How to
Put a Picture in a Locket
Resize a Ring
How to
Resize a Ring
How to
Make Handmade Jewelry
Make Wooden Rings
How to
Make Wooden Rings
Make a Ring
How to
Make a Ring
Wire Wrap Stones
How to
Wire Wrap Stones
Turn a Broken Watch Into a Locket Bracelet
How to
Turn a Broken Watch Into a Locket Bracelet
Solder Jump Rings
How to
Solder Jump Rings
Make a Button Pin
How to
Make a Button Pin
Make a Ring from a Silver Coin
How to
Make a Ring from a Silver Coin
Choose Wire for Jewelry
How to
Choose Wire for Jewelry
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdxiZdDMSQ
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdxiZdDMSQ
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mYx-N-xLw
  4. ↑ http://www.creatingmycambridge.com/songs-creative/resources/how-to-make-your-own-badge/
  5. ↑ http://www.creatingmycambridge.com/songs-creative/resources/how-to-make-your-own-badge/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 28 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 475,046 times.
118 votes - 74%
Co-authors: 28
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 475,046
Categories: Jewelry Making
Article SummaryX

Badge pins are fun to decorate and only require a couple of supplies. To make one, you'll need a snap-in case button, which you can get in a variety of sizes from craft stores or online. All you need to do is print out or draw your image, place it in the bowl side of the badge, facing out, and snap the back on. Just make sure your image is the right size for the diameter of the button. Alternatively, you can glue your image over an old button you don’t use anymore. For more tips, including how to use a button machine, read on!

Did this summary help you?
If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Advertisement