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 Dr. Don’s Buttons seemingly infinite variety of button making supplies and equipment, it may be easy to lose yourself in the sea of button making options. Dr. Don's Buttons 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.
You can expect to spend approximately $400 - $500 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 – $0.06. Let us repeat that – 4 to 6 cents 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?
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 cutter 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.
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 Dr. Don’s button making kit, it will be time to start making buttons!
Happy button making!
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