User Guide: Button Makers

Description

Make custom buttons with our button makers. We offer pinback button sets for sale in 1.5" and 2.25" size.

What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:

• Button makers (1.5" size or 2.25" size)
• Circle cutters (1.5" size or 2.25" size)
• Limited materials for sale (cash only). Material availability is not guaranteed; prices are subject to change. We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects.
  - 1.5" or 2.25" button sets: 10¢/set

What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

• Project materials - Bring your own compatible project materials or purchase button sets from the library (cash only).
• A printed or drawn design in the correct button dimensions. Use our Button Size Templates to ensure the correct design size and final size of the buttons.

Button Size Templates - Choose your compatible file format:

• 1.5" - Word
• 1.5" - PDF
• 1.5" - Publisher
• 2.25" - Word
• 2.25" - PDF
• 2.25" - Publisher

Learn

Print Guides:
- How to Make Buttons

Videos:
- Paper Cutters for Button Makers
- How to Make a Pinback Button
- How to Make Buttons
- American Button Machines Video Library

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.

Tips

• Standard paper is best. Thick paper like cardstock, photo paper, and construction paper will not work with our button makers.
• Resize your image using a software image editor like IrfanView. Make sure your image fits in our Button Size Templates.
• When using the circle cutter, center the circle to get the best cut.

Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

• Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
• Limit one reservation allowed per day.
• Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
• All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

• Your full name
• Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
• Equipment you want to reserve
• Preferred date(s)/time(s)