FAQs

General Questions

What size of buttons/button maker should I get? What is the most popular size?

Well, that all depends on what you're using them for and what you want to put on them! :)

There are many sizes and various shapes for buttons. Round are the most popular and cost effective, but oval, rectangular, square, diamond, or oblong may be more useful for your specific purposes. For example, rectangle shapes are much better as fridge magnets than buttons (pointy corners aren’t always the most comfortable to wear) and Oval and Oblong buttons make really nice nametags.

For “Fashionable” Purposes: We recommend small sizes (7/8”, 1”, 1-1/4”), if you want people to wear your buttons often and all year round. Because of their size, they can attach to anything (hats, coats, bags, etc.) and not interfere with the functionality of the item they are attached to. They can also be worn in collections, because they fit so nicely together in a small amount of space.

1” is especially popular for band and music related buttons, and 1-1/4” is great for marketing and promotional giveaways.

For “Campaigns and Event” Purposes: Big buttons (2-1/4”, 2-1/2”, 3”, etc.) are ideal for making a statement! Our most popular size is 2-1/4”, which is common for political elections, kids’ parties, photo booths, and family reunions.

For “Collecting” Purposes: You might not wear these every day, but they also don’t need to take up a lot of room in your keepsakes box. Mid-size buttons (1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”) are a great, happy medium, with more room for words than a smaller button and less demand for attention than a big button.

For more details about the different sizes and shapes see read here.

Comparison Chart Based on What You’re Using Buttons For….

Purpose	Best Size(s)	Typical Market
Bands & Fine Artists	Fashion: 7/8”, 1”, or 1-1/4” *custom packaging is popular with these sizes and this purpose.	Teens, Young Adults, Adults
Promotional Give-A-Ways	Fashion: 1”, or 1-1/4”	The smaller the button, the lower the giveaway cost and the more likely it is to be worn all year round. Kids, Teens, Young Adults
Family & Class Reunions	Big: 2-1/4” Collector: 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, or 2”	One Day Use for silly fun/to catch attention. All Ages. One Day Use for subtle fun. All Ages.
Name Tags	Big: 2-1/4” (with logos) Collector: 1-3/4” (name only) Oval: 1-3/4”x2-3/4” Oblong: 1-3/4”x2-3/4”	Kids Camps, General Purpose, Social Gatherings Conferences, Professional Events, Upscale Businesses
Schools: Elementary/Primary	Big: 2-1/4”	Kids, Teachers
Schools: High/Secondary or University	Fashion: 1”, 1-1/4 Big: 2-1/4” Collector: 1-1/5”	Teens (clubs and everyday wear) Teens (art class projects & class president elections) Teens (middle of the road compromise. Small enough for the backpack, big enough to draw on)
Campaigns	Big: 2-1/4”, 2-1/2”, 3”	Politics & Elections, Unions &Strikes, Activism, Sales Staff Uniforms (“ask me” and special offers buttons)
Corporate Marketing/Branding	Fashion: 1”, or 1-1/4” Collector: 1-1/2”	Teens, Young Adults, Adults Employee Nametags

Comparison Chart Based on What You’re Putting On Your Button….

Content	Best Size(s)
Just a Picture	Any Size
1 or 2 Words	Any Size
3 to 5 Words	Fashion: 1-1/4” or bigger (depending on purpose)
Many Words	Collector: 1-3/4” or bigger (depending on how many words and your purpose)
A Picture with 1 or 2 Words	No smaller than 1”
A Picture with 3 – 5 Words	No smaller than 1-1/2”
A Picture with Many Words	No smaller than 2-1/4”
A Logo with a Website along the top or bottom	No smaller than 1-1/4”
A Logo with a Website along the outside edge	Any Size

What if the item I want isn’t listed on the website?

We try our very best to keep the website updated with all of the items we sell in standard order amounts, but if you don’t see something you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you out!

Also, we really enjoy coming up with new ways to make and use button related products, so if you’ve got a vision in your head, let us know! We’ve helped many people materialize their button ideas with some creative thinking and experimentation : )

What if the quantity I want isn’t listed on the website?

No problem! We can create a special order for you for special quantities or items that aren’t listed online.

I work for a non-profit organization/charity/school. Can I get a discount?

We sell button makers, supplies and buttons to many schools, libraries and not-for-profit groups. Because of this we try to price our products as low as we can while still being able to operate as a sustainable business. We have low base prices, but then provide additional volume discounts when purchasing larger quantities, so everyone can benefit all year round :)

If you’re looking for reduced prices on machines, once in a blue moon we will sell our rental machines at discounted rates when we refresh our stock. If you’d like to know when those sales are happening, please sign up for our quarterly newsletter at the bottom of this page.

My button maker is jammed/broken! How do I fix it? Do you fix machines?

WAIT! Put that screwdriver down! :)

Before you try dismantling your button maker (highly unrecommended), please watch our series of videos online to help you troubleshoot jams and regularly maintain your machine (to keep it in top working condition and prevent jams).

If you have tried the strategies in our videos and still cannot fix your machine, we may be able to walk you through a solution on the phone or over Skype. Worst case scenario, you can request a repair by calling our customer service direct line for (613) 354-1777. For more information about our repairs and maintenance service and rates click here.

How do I know what size parts I need for my button maker?

If you have a Tecre model (black body with a red handle), there should be a sticker on the side with a model number. That model number corresponds to the size without the decimal point.

For example, a model #100 makes 1.00” Buttons. If you have a T150 (grey plastic body with a black handle), it makes 2.25” buttons only, but requires special mylar, so make sure you order parts from the T150 Button Parts page.

If you have any other type of machine, email us a picture of the machine (and a button it made, if you can) and we’ll see if we can sleuth it out for you here.

I ordered the wrong size parts. What do I do?

Oops! Don’t worry, it’s an easy mistake to make. You can request a return or exchange within 14 days of receipt of your item by filling out the form found here. You will get an RA# that will allow you to return the item to us. Once those parts have been returned, we will send you the parts you need.

If you need to start making buttons right away, you can place a new order for the correct size parts and we will ship them to you ASAP. We will refund you for the cost of the incorrectly ordered parts as soon as they have been returned.

What is your return policy?

Buy from People Power Press with complete confidence. We love satisfied customers but if you are disappointed or do not get what you expect you may return items for refund or exchange within 14 days of receipt. If you are not 100% satisfied with our product please contact our Customer Service Line for help and advice on returning goods.

This does not apply to custom made goods. Our custom made goods using your designs are made to the highest standards. In the unlikely event of a slip in our high standards we will replace any item that is not correctly made. We cannot be responsible for your own artwork.

To expedite returns and speed up the process we have introduced a simple return process. Complete the form here!

Do you sell used button makers?

We do not regularly sell used button machines, but from time to time we have some available for sale. These machines usually come from our stock of rental machines when we are looking refresh our rental inventory. If you are interested in purchasing a used machine, please contact us at info@peoplepowerpress.org to see if we have any for sale or to be notified when we do.

Can I place an order using a Purchase Order?

We accept official purchase orders from schools and other government organizations at our discretion. Your goods will not be shipped until we have received and verified the purchase order. Purchase orders may be emailed to info@peoplepowerpress.org.

To get you set up in our system – your first order using a PO – we will need you to send us your official PO and payment before shipping your order. Once the cheque has cleared, we will send your order. Once you're in the system with a successful PO transaction (meaning, we've received payment), we'll be able to ship future orders with only the PO.

Alternatively, if you need to receive your order quickly, you can use a credit card and then send a PO. When we get the cheque, we'll refund your credit card.

If you cannot provide an official purchase order you can always pay for your order using the other payment methods we have available including credit card, email money transfer and PayPal. (Cash and debit are also accepted at our warehouse in Napanee.)

Can I pay for my order by cheque?

Paying by cheque is not a problem, but you will have to wait longer to receive your order because no products leave the shop until payment has cleared (this could take up to 5 business days after the cheque is received). This is particularly important for custom orders, as production does not begin until payment has cleared.

Depending on your deadline, this may not be a concern. If you need your order fast, however, you might want to pay by credit card to get things started. Then, when the cheque clears, we will refund your credit card.

Shipping Questions

When will my order arrive?

Delivery time depends on your location and what shipping method you choose, but usually ranges from 5 to 10 business days within Canada.

What delivery services are available?

We ship with UPS, Canpar, Purolator, and Canada Post. Most of these carriers have Standard Ground and Express services. Pricing varies.

When will my order ship?

Most orders ship out within 24 - 72 hours if all items are in stock. If you have ordered something that is not currently available, a follow-up email/phone call will be made to notify you with an updated delivery time.

How much will the shipping for my order be?

Shipping costs are determined by the address your order is being shipped to and how much your order weighs.

You can figure out what shipping will cost by adding items to your cart. Click the "Add to cart" button, then Select “Checkout”. Insert your shipping address and then select “Continue to next step” to be taken to the payment page. You do not have to enter any payment information, but under the heading "Shipping Method" you will see a dropdown menu of all available shipping options with shipping times and costs included. We ship using a number of couriers so you can choose your preferred shipping option.

How do I track my package?

Once your package has been shipped, you will receive a confirmation email with your tracking number. Tracking numbers can be entered into the carriers websites if the link provided doesn’t work.

Design Questions

What are the design options for custom orders?

We can do everything from basic setup of your design to creating fully custom designs from scratch. You dream it – we design it!

	"I Will Do It!" (FREE!)	Simple Set-Up ($15)	Customize It ($25)	Simple Design ($30)	Full Serve ($60)	Full Serve Plus ($?)
Template Set-up		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Digital Proof		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Physical Proof						✔
Button Edge Text		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Custom Text Design				✔	✔	✔
Image Editing					✔	✔
Custom Image Design					✔	✔
Est. production time**	1-2 days	2-3 days	2-4 days*	2-4 days*	2-6 days*	7-14 days*

*Depending on how many revisions you require and how often you check your email :)

** Estimated production time is for up to 1000 buttons, including design time.

Need it faster? Ask us about our rush services.

Can I have multiple designs?

Yes! There are two ways to approach multiple designs in the same custom orders.

1. If you have multiple designs (any number), but don't need exact amounts of each design, use our template to fill up an 8.5" x 11" or 12"x18" sheet with as many designs as you like and we'll print, cut, and press a rough mix of what you have given us. Please note that you will receive these designs in random quantities in the same bag. There is no extra charge for the number of designs, but we cannot guarantee you will get an exact number of each either.

2. If, however, you require specific quantities of each design, please submit each of those designs on a separate single-button template and specify on your upload form how many of each design you require. Exact quantity orders of more than 3 separate designs will be subject to a counting fee, which will need to be paid before we start making your buttons.

Number of Designs	Checking Fee for Exact Quantities
1-3	No fee!
4-10	$5
11-25	$10
26+	$15 checking fee + .10 cents per design*

For example:
There is no charge for 1-3 designs. So, if you wanted 3 designs for a total order of 100 buttons, this can be 30 of Design #1, 30 of Design #2, and 40 of Design #3 (or however you want to break it down) and you would get exactly what you requested and each design will be bagged separately.

*Please contact us if you have more than 26 designs.

Note: This is a production related fee, not a design service. If your artwork need to be set up in our templates or requires editing, there may be an addition fee. Contact us if you have questions about your art files.

What file format do you require for custom button artwork?

For the best quality printing, we recommend artwork that is at least 300 DPI, in CMYK format. We accept PDF, JPEG, PSD, and AI files.

Does it matter how many colours are in my button design?

Nope! Black and white and colour printing are the same price, there is no extra fee.

Can you match specific colours or Pantone codes?

Yes and no! :)

If precise colour matching is important to you, please contact us regarding this extra service. We will require a physical printed sample with the desired colour, or a Pantone colour number. As our printers are CMYK only and don't accommodate Pantone inks , we can't guarantee exact Pantone matches, but we can usually get pretty close!

Please allow 1-2 extra business days for this service, as we work out the best match possible.

Note: We can't print with floourescent or metallic ink, but we can print on papers that have that effect.

I already have artwork, can I set it up myself?

You sure can! We provide templates in PDF, PSD, and AI formats for all our button sizes. Just place your artwork in to our template using your favourite design program and follow the instructions for saving!

Please note that if you don't follow these instructions, we cannot guarantee that your art files will print properly and you may have to re-order. If you're new to design and unsure, you can order a digital proof or have us do the set-up for you.

Don't have experience with graphic design programs? Try using the online Button Designer. Ideal for first time button designers & people who do not have graphic design or artwork experience.

Download templates with instructions (button) How to: video

How do I know what size the artwork should be?

It is common to think, for example, that if you want 2-1/4" buttons you make artwork that is 2-1/4", but that is not the case. The cut size for a 2-1/4" button is 2.625" and the image size is 2.063". The image size dimension represents the face of your button, while the full cut size includes the part of the image that folds around the edge, otherwise known as the bleed size.

Sounds complicated? No worries, it actually isn't. Simple answer: Download a template here. There is a page of instructions as well as templates for many sizes.

What's the best size for my buttons?

Well, that all depends on what you're using them for! There are many sizes and various shapes for buttons. Round are the most cost effective but oval, rectangular, square and oblong are all useful for different effects.

We recommend small sizes (7/8”, 1”, 1-1/4”) for fashion buttons that people will wear often, because they can attach to anything (hats, coats, bags, etc.) and not get in the way. 1” is especially popular for band and music related buttons, and 1-1/4” is great for designer buttons. Big buttons (2-1/4”, 2-1/2”, 3”, etc.) are ideal for making a statement! Our most popular size is 2-1/4”, which is good for elections, photo or art buttons and more. Finally, the mid sizes (1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”) are a great happy medium – these sizes allow you to fit more words or detailed artwork on a smaller size button.

For more details about the different sizes and shapes see read here.

What file format do you require for custom button artwork?

For the best quality printing, we recommend artwork that is created at a minimum of 300 DPI, in CMYK format. We prefer JPEG, but also accept PDF, PSD, and AI files. Just make sure you flatten or outline the text before sending it to us, as our computers might not have your fonts.

Do you have any tips for designing buttons?

For sure!

Use Our Templates and make sure you read the instructions.
If you can, create and save your file at 300 DPI. Why 300 DPI? Read here
Make your art in CMYK format. Why CMYK? Read here
Save your design with the outer guide, but remove the inner guide (usually a red or dotted line) before saving! An easy way if you're using a PDF template: duplicate the template layer and hide it (so you can access it later, if you need to edit your design). Then erase the inner guides from the copied layer, leaving the outer guide (so we can cut out your design accurately).
Use a Font Size bigger than 5pt and design with good contrast to ensure readability.
Keep your message/text short and sweet (1 - 3 words) for smaller buttons (7/8 to 1.25"). Use bigger buttons for longer messages.
Avoid flourescent colours. We can make flourescent buttons, but it's a different process and the buttons cost more. Contact us for more info!