Outreach for Librarians: Button Maker

Things to Think About: 

• This event can be used in multiple situations, working with other departments, to promote your library, or just for fun.
• While the backs and inserts can be picked up easily students, hand them the plastic, see-through covering.  They easily stick together, and if you try to make a button with more than one in the machine, it will fail, and now you’re short a button.

• Make sure students bring the handle down firmly and completely, otherwise the button will fail.

Button Maker

Why:  Not only are students making and creating, but they show their individuality by the message on the button.  This can also be used to promote the library, reading and any other concept.

Supplies:  a button maker, button maker forms, inserts for the button, colored pencils (optional)

How To:

Before the Event:

• Procure a button maker.  There is currently one at the Central library, but we will try to get one that can be used throughout the district.
• Buy the button inserts that fit the button maker.  These can be purchased through Amazon by searching “button maker supplies”.
• Although you could just cut out circles using the accompanying circle cutter and have students decorate the circle, this event is best done if you have prepared the inserts beforehand.
• Sometimes, students want to color in their inserts with colored pencils, but often they just want to make the button.  Consequently, you will want to run off some of the inserts on colored paper.

The Day of the Event

• While students are waiting in line, have them choose the insert they want.
• Give them a place to sit down and color it in if they so desire.
• As the student comes up, have them do as much as possible like putting in the button forms (backs, inserts, and plastic covering)

How to Design Your Button Inserts

I use the following site to design my inserts.  Create a profile for free.

Here are some buttons that I designed to get you started.

These were designed for a 2.5" button.