How to Make a Paper Pinback Button

Turn old paper into a button to pin on your clothing.

You can create paper pinbacked buttons using items found in your own kitchen and a few items from the craft store. The pins can add a little color to an outfit or become a gift for your friends and family. These buttons can be eco-friendly as well because you can make them using junk mail, old newspapers and used notebook paper.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Bowl
• Warm water
• Colander
• Wax paper
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft glue
• Pinback

Instructions

1. Tear the paper into 1-by-1-inch squares and put them into the bowl.

2. Fill the bowl with warm water and let the paper soak for three hours.

3. Mash the paper into pulp by squeezing it through your hands.

4. Remove the water from the paper pulp by draining the contents of the bucket through a colander.

5. Take a handful of paper pulp in your hand and shape it into a ball.

6. Lay the ball on a sheet of wax paper and flatten the ball with the heel of your hand.

7. Let the disk of paper pulp dry. This could take a couple days depending on the humidity of your location.

8. Paint the button using paint and a paintbrush. For the best results paint the entire button a solid color and add text or pictures in a contrasting color. Let the paint dry to the touch. The drying time varies depending on the humidity of your location.

9. Put a drop of craft glue onto the back of the button and lay the pinback on the drop of glue.

10. Let the glue dry before using your button.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add stick-on jewels or glitter to your button for a little added shine.

• Place something underneath the colander to catch the dirty water or place it in a sink.

References

• "Things to Make and Do"; Rosemary Nicolais; 1970
• "Make and Do"; Paul McNear; 1976

Resources

• YouTube: How to Make a Metal Pinback Button