How to Make Your Own Printable Buttons

Print your own buttons in any color, shape or size.

Creating buttons of your own is a fantastic way to save time and money instead of running off to the craft store every time you need a button. Using printable shrink paper and your home computer, you can design your own buttons in any color, shape or size you need. Use your homemade buttons to add dimension and design to your scrapbooking, card making and even your sewing projects.

Things You'll Need

• Design software
• Printable shrink paper
• Inkjet printer
• Scissors
• Hole punch, 1/8 inch

Instructions

1. Open a new document in your design software. Feel free to use any program with drawing or design capabilities, such as graphic design, photo imaging or word processing software.

2. Click the shape tool and draw a circle measuring approximately 1 inch. Alter the size as needed and use the other shapes available if you prefer, however, make sure there is at least 1 /4 inch of space available in the center of the shape chosen in order to create button holes.

3. Double-click the foreground color from the menu bar to open the color palette. Choose any color you like to serve as the background of the button. Select the paint bucket tool and click inside the shape drawn in Step 2 in order to fill it with the background color.

4. Add polka dots, lines or miniature patterns to the button shape using the shape tools or the different paintbrush styles available in your software.

5. Place a sheet of printable shrink paper in to the printer. Click the printer icon in your software and print the button shape on to the shrink paper.

6. Cut the buttons out of the shrink paper. Use a 1/8-inch hole punch to create two holes near the center of the button, leaving at least 1/8-inch space between the holes.

7. Place the buttons on to a baking sheet and bake inside the oven as directed on the shrink paper packaging. Instructions will vary by manufacturer. Remove the buttons from the oven after the allotted time, and allow them to cool as directed. Use your homemade buttons as you would any other button.

References

• Hobby Loco: Shrinky Dink Fun

Resources

• The Magical Land of Shrinky Dinks: Shrinky Dinks for Ink Jet Printers