Button Maker and Laminator Guide Ask Us

Welcome to the Button Maker Guide!

The Button Maker is a quick and easy machine that lets you create your own circular, 2 inch button with any image. 

Button Design

You can download our Fabrication Lab Button Template.pdf to ensure your design is the correct size. You can then design your button using various images and overlay them on the template (this can be done in Canva, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and more). Once your design is laid out correctly, you can print your buttons and bring them to the Fabrication Lab. 

Another option is to print the template directly and then write or draw on the template. 

Visit our next section on "Button Assembly" to see what to do next. 

Button Cutting

Once your design is printed and ready to go, you need to cut your buttons out. You can either use scissors and cut each individual circle out of the template, or you can use the Button Maker Cutter to achieve the perfect cut. 

Simply slide your design into the cutter and push down on the red handle. Once cut, you can pop the image out of the cutter by pushing from underneath. 

Getting Started

Now you are ready to use the Button Maker! To start, ensure that you have your 4 button pieces: your printed/cut image, a metal cover, a mylar cover, and back cover. A Fabrication Lab staff member can help you find all of these items. 

To create your button, follow the steps below: 

Laminator

Checklist: 

• Laminator Pouches (8.5"x11" size sheets)

STEP 1

• Press the power button on the front control panel. The control panel buttons will flash.
• The laminator will default to the 3 mil hot setting. This is the required setting for the laminate pouches available in the Fabrication Lab.

STEP 2

• The green indicator light will pulse while warming up and turn solid when ready.
• The laminator will also emit a “beep” when ready.

STEP 3

• Place the document(s) into a fresh laminating pouch.
• Ensure the document is centered against the sealed edge.
• NOTE: If laminating multiple smaller sheets or documents, leave at least 1/2" inch between them to allow proper trimming.

STEP 4

• Feed the pouch flat through the laminator with the sealed edge first.
• Keep the pouch straight and central within the feeder slot, not on an angle.

STEP 5

• When finished, the laminated document may be hot and soft.
• Remove the pouch immediately and let cool on a flat surface.