Badge Maker

Introduction

Summary

The badge maker makes 58mm badges (plastic and safety-pin backed) or 25mm badges ('classic' button badges with an open back and D-pin).

It lives in a box in the art space area.

What can you make on the badge maker?

Training

The Badge Maker is green equipment so no training is required however if you need help using it please contact the maintainers.

Safety

• Pins are sharp, be careful when fitting them into the badge blanks or pinning the badges to clothing.

• Do not allow body parts to get tangled in the badge maker during use.

Supplies

Bags of supplies are available, each bag costs £2 and contains enough parts to make 10 badges. You can pay for your supplies on the SumUp payment terminals or online

Downloads

• Badge Maker Instructions.pdf (58mm)

• Badge maker template.zip (58mm)

• Badge Maker Tips (58mm)

External Links

• This video on youtube shows the operation of the badge maker to make 25mm badges with the open back and D-pin.

• This video on youtube shows the operation of the badge maker to make 58mm badges with the white plastic and safety-pin back.

• This video on youtube shows how to change the badge maker to make badges of a different size by changing the die

Instructions

The badge maker is not hard to use but there are a few things you need to get right to get good results. Make sure you read the instructions below (or the ones in the badge maker box) before attempting to use the equipment.

Getting Started

The process is slightly different depending on which size and style of badge you are making.  Specifically the process for making the back of the badge containing the pin is different for the plastic safety back (58mm badges) and the open back with D-pin (25mm badge). See this video for the 25mm method.

Change the die to the correct size (if necessary)

Before making badges, check that the die installed in the machine is the correct size for the badges you're making.

If you need to change it, remove the clip from the metal post in the centre of the die, lift off the current die off the metal post and put the other die into place. Secure the die with the clip through the hole in the metal post. 

To make a 58mm badge you will need:

1. Badge maker

2. Handle

3. Grey Ring C

4. Centre Punch

5. Metal ring (not required with current stock of badge making supplies)

6. Cutter

7. Cutting mat

8. Badge Front

9. Clear Plastic Disc

10. Pin

11. Badge Back

12. Artwork (see Downloads section above for template)

Assemble the press

1. Remove clip

2. Insert Handle

3. Insert clip

Cut out the artwork

1. Use a cutting mat to protect desk

2. Select the correct size cutter for the badge size

3. Align cutter over artwork

4. Turn Handle

Step 1

1. Put metal badge front into die A

2. Put artwork on top of metal badge front

3. Put a clear plastic disc on top of artwork. You should check you've used one and only one clear disc, they have a habit of sticking together and using more than one does not work.

4. Put grey ring C on top of plastic disc

5. Put centre punch on top

6. Make sure “step 1 up” stickers are facing up

7. Align the whole stack under the handle

8. Push down on handle

Step 2

1. Place metal ring in the bottom of die B You should not use the metal ring with the current variety of badge making supplies available at MakeSpace.

2. Install pin into badge back

3. Put badge back into die B

4. Ensure “Z” of pin is facing up

5. Move ring C complete with badge front and artwork to die B

6. You may wish to consider the pin in relation to the artwork

7. Put centre punch on top

8. Make sure “step 2 up” stickers are facing up

9. Align the whole stack under the handle

10. Push down on handle