Button Making Software for your Button Business

AKA - I need button making software?

Welcome to part 2 in our How to Start a Button Business series. Now that you’ve made the important decisions regarding button size and target customer. Now you’re ready to think about button design. The options can be mind boggling. And let’s face it – not all of us are graphic artists. That’s OK. You don’t need to be a professional artist to create really cool buttons. What you do need is button making software. Are you proficient in PhotoShop or Corel draw? That’s great if you are as it puts you one step closer. A word of caution: These programs were not built for the button world. You’ll need to create a template (which we offer on our website for free) with the proper specs for cut size and image size. Don’t forget to leave space for a tagline. Graphic design programs such as these often come with a high price tag and a steep learning curve. [caption id="attachment_11533" align="alignleft" width="175"] Build a Button Design Center[/caption]   I strongly urge you to try the FREE Build-a-Button Demo. It really is remarkable button making software. We created Build-a-Button with two goals in mind: First it must be easy to use. Second it must include the most needed button design features. Nothing impedes the creative process more than struggling with technology. Just choose your button size and you're off and running. Let the creativity flow!   Check out some of these cool graphics made using Build-a-Button.     Like Zoe said in her review, “There are plenty of free to use programmes on line but none that give you the precision, control and choice that this does.” We have published several Build-a-Button online video tutorials to teach you step-by-step how to use the program. The first video gives you the basics of creating your design. Others include instruction for using the opacity tool, adding text and shapes, manipulating an image, layers and adding the tagline. We’ve even provided an FAQ list for troubleshooting minor computer related issues. Button design not your forte? Ready-to-print designs can be downloaded from the Internet. But beware. Not all of them are made for the button industry and, therefore, won’t necessarily be the correct size. The good news though is that you can upload these images to Build-a-Button and enlarge or decrease the size as needed. Adding text is a super easy way to give drama to any button. Check out this Before and After duo:   [caption id="attachment_309442" align="alignleft" width="150"] Design by Portable Graffiti[/caption] [caption id="attachment_309579" align="alignleft" width="150"] Edited in Build A Button[/caption]             However, if Internet access is an issue for you, don’t give up. Check out these designs that Eddie from EXCLAIM GRAPHICS made using PowerPoint. [caption id="attachment_307642" align="alignleft" width="494"] Button Designs by Exclaim Graphics[/caption]                               Come back next week for part 3 of the series. We're going to discuss why a cutting device will be an important part of your button business. And in week 4 I'll offer some keys to a successful button business. Follow this link for a week 1 refresher.   Until next time – Happy Button Making! By Brighid Brown, Director of Blogging and All Things Cool at ABM