Badges

How to make badges

The process of creating badges consists of 3 simple steps:

1. Print the design

Choose an appealing design, which can be a photo or a logo. You may use graphic design software to create a template for each badge size and make sure that you fully cover it with your design. The attached image will help you create the right template according to the size of the badge. Remember that you must leave an edge on the perimeter of the paper disk to fold it and attach it to the back of the badge. Print your design with your usual printer. We recommend you to use paper with a grammage of 100-110 g/m².

2. Trim the design

It is important to cut the printed paper to the correct size to assemble the badge. You can use a circle cutter or a die cutting machine that adapts to the different diameters of the badges. Using this tool allows you to save time and achieve uniform production.

3. Assemble the badges

Badges are assembled with a button badge making machine, which works similar to a press. This machine has exchangeable moulds of different sizes, that you can purchase separately depending on the badges you want to make. Assembly goes in 2 steps: first, it folds the paper and the transparent film on the badge and in a second time, places the back of the badge. These two parts will fit perfectly together and will not loosen. The excess of paper on the edge will be collected at the back.

When ordering mirror buttons, you will also receive a cardboard shim that you must place on the mirror to prevent it from moving.

BADGE DIMENSIONS

• The inner circle marks the area of your image that will show on the surface of the badge. Make sure that the main content (text and faces) remains inside this circle.
• The middle circle marks the edge of the badge: it is the area between inner and intermediate lines. Keep this in mind because, although the image must also cover it, if it presents text or people faces, you will not want it to fall on this area.
• The outer circle is the cutting line. The space between the middle and outer ring will not be visible when the badge is fully assembled. Still, you need to think about the colour in the closest zone to the middle area in case a small area shows after the assembling process. The accuracy of this measurement is essential because, like the thickness of the paper used, it affects the assembly of the badge.

The following table shows the dimensions according to the size of button badges:

The following table shows the dimensions according to the size of special badges:

Download the template to help you print your button badges in eps, psd or pdf format.

Download the template to help you print your special badges in eps, psd or pdf format.