Our 2"x3" photo magnet sets are the complete supply kit for producing professional-quality rectangular photo magnets on any 2"x3" photo button machine. Whether you're a photographer offering keepsakes to clients, a wedding planner creating memorable favors, or a small business producing promotional magnets, these sets deliver the consistent results your customers expect.
Each set includes everything you need: metal shell, plastic back, protective mylar film, and a pre-cut self-adhesive magnet strip — so you can assemble each finished magnet in a single press cycle. Available in bulk quantities of 500 or 1,000 sets, these supplies are engineered for photo studios, craft businesses, schools, and organizations that need reliable volume without sourcing components separately.
2"x3" Photo Magnet Set Specifications
| Finished Magnet Size | 2" x 3" rectangle |
|---|---|
| Components Per Set | Metal shell, plastic back, clear mylar cover, self-adhesive peel-and-stick magnet |
| Magnet Strip Dimensions | 1-3/4" x 2-3/4" x 0.060" thick (flexible rubberized magnet) |
| Adhesive Type | Pre-applied peel-and-stick — no glue required |
| Compatible Machines | 2"x3" Photo Button Machines (rectangle press) |
| Pack Quantities | 500 sets or 1,000 sets per order |
| Image Area | Approx. 2" x 3" — print at 2" x 3" or trim larger prints to size |
| Manufactured | Made in USA |
| Best For | Photo keepsakes, memorial magnets, event favors, promotional giveaways, real estate leave-behinds, family gifts, library and school programs, nonprofit recognition |
Who Uses 2"x3" Photo Magnet Sets
Photographers & Photo Studios
Offer finished keepsakes as client upsells or session add-ons. Portrait photographers, newborn studios, senior photo sessions, and sports team photographers use 2x3 magnets as premium deliverables that clients display year-round — keeping your studio's work visible on every fridge in the family.
Wedding & Event Planners
Couples increasingly want favors guests will actually keep. A custom 2x3 magnet featuring the couple's engagement photo, wedding date, or a candid from the photo booth gets taken home and used. The rectangular format holds both the image and custom text (names, date, venue) without crowding.
Funeral Homes & Memorial Services
Memorial magnets have become a meaningful keepsake option for families. The 2x3 size displays a portrait photograph with dignity, holds dates and a short inscription, and gives attendees something tangible to bring home. Funeral directors often order in bulk (500-set case) to have on hand for families who request keepsakes.
Real Estate Agents
A 2x3 magnet with the agent's photo, contact info, and logo lives on the refrigerator for years — far longer than a business card, which usually gets filed or tossed within days. Agents order the 1,000-set case and customize in small runs for neighborhood farming campaigns.
Schools, Libraries & PTOs
Individual student photo magnets are a popular PTO fundraiser. Parents gladly pay $5–$10 for a school-photo magnet at parent night. Public and school libraries use the 2x3 size for summer reading program awards, staff appreciation, and patron recognition gifts. The format fits a portrait photo plus a name or program logo without crowding.
Nonprofits, Churches & Community Programs
Nonprofits use 2x3 magnets for donor recognition events and volunteer appreciation. Churches order them for VBS, mission trips, and youth group keepsakes. Recreational sports leagues produce team photo magnets for end-of-season banquets, where every player takes one home. Corporate HR teams use the same format for service-anniversary recognition. The 1,000-set pack typically covers a full season or annual program cycle for a mid-sized organization.
How to Make a 2"x3" Photo Magnet
The assembly process is straightforward once your 2"x3" photo button machine is set up. Each set produces one finished magnet in a single press cycle.
- Print your photo at 2" x 3". If designing digitally, set your canvas to 2.25" x 3.25" to account for the bleed area that wraps around the magnet edge.
- Load the metal shell face-up into the top die of your 2x3 photo button machine.
- Place your printed photo face-up on top of the shell, centered.
- Lay the mylar film over the photo. The mylar is the clear protective top layer that seals and shields the image.
- Swing the press to the first position and press down firmly to crimp the shell and mylar together.
- Place the plastic back into the lower die, then rotate the press to the second position and press to lock the back in place.
- Peel the paper backing off the self-adhesive magnet strip and press it onto the plastic back of the finished magnet. Done.
Pro Tips for Professional-Quality Photo Magnets
- Use matte or semi-gloss photo paper. Glossy prints can show fingerprints before the mylar goes on and can trap small air bubbles under the film. A matte or luster finish gives you a more forgiving workflow and a more premium final look.
- Print at 300 DPI minimum. The 2x3 format is small enough that printing below 300 DPI produces visibly soft images. Most client photos from a DSLR or modern phone easily exceed this, but check any web-downloaded images before printing.
- Ship finished magnets in rigid mailers. A 3x5 rigid photo mailer with a piece of chipboard protects the magnet from bending in transit. Padded envelopes alone can allow flexing that stresses the mylar seal.
Compatible Machines & Related Supplies
These 2"x3" photo magnet sets are designed for use with American Button Machines' 2"x3" photo button machines. They are not interchangeable with round button supplies. The rectangular shell requires a matching rectangular press.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly comes in one 2"x3" photo magnet set?
Each individual set contains four components: a metal shell (the front face that holds the image), a plastic back, a clear mylar film (the protective top layer that seals over your photo), and a self-adhesive peel-and-stick magnet strip measuring 1-3/4" x 2-3/4" x 0.060" thick. One complete set makes one finished 2"x3" photo magnet.
Can I use these supplies with any 2x3 rectangle button maker, or only ABM machines?
These sets are engineered for American Button Machines' 2"x3" photo button machines, where tolerances and die dimensions are matched precisely. They may work with other manufacturers' 2x3 rectangle machines if the die sizes are identical, but we can't guarantee fit or finished-magnet quality with third-party equipment. If you're running a different brand of machine, we recommend ordering a small sample quantity to test before committing to a 500 or 1,000 set order.
How strong is the magnet? Will it hold a photo on a refrigerator?
The self-adhesive magnet strip is a flexible rubberized magnet measuring 1-3/4" x 2-3/4" x 0.060" thick. It's strong enough to hold the finished 2x3 magnet itself plus one or two sheets of paper on a standard steel refrigerator or file cabinet. It is not an industrial-strength neodymium magnet, so it won't hold thick stacks of paper or heavy items. For standard refrigerator-keepsake use, which is what 95% of photo magnet customers want, the strength is more than enough and reliable.
What size should I print my photos to fit the 2x3 magnet?
Print your image at 2.25" x 3.25" to allow for the bleed area that wraps around the magnet edge. The visible face of the finished magnet is 2" x 3", and the extra quarter-inch of print on each side wraps underneath the shell edge for a clean finished look with no white borders. Most design software and photo printers let you set custom dimensions, and most photo labs can print custom 2.25" x 3.25" sizes on request.
How does a 2x3 rectangular photo magnet compare to a round photo magnet?
The 2"x3" rectangle holds portraits, family photos, and landscape shots without aggressive cropping. Round magnets (typically 1", 1.25", or 2.25" diameter) require tighter composition — usually just a face or a small detail — and crop out anything near the corners of the original image. Choose rectangular 2x3 when the photo itself is the centerpiece (weddings, portraits, memorials, real estate agent headshots). Choose round magnets when you want a smaller, button-style keepsake or when your design is already circular (logos, event badges, craft fair items).
Is the peel-and-stick magnet backing permanent?
Yes. Once you peel the paper backing off the self-adhesive magnet strip and press it onto the plastic back of the finished magnet, the bond is permanent. The adhesive is a pressure-sensitive acrylic formulated for long-term bonding to the plastic back. Finished magnets maintain their magnet attachment for years of normal refrigerator use. Don't apply the magnet strip until you're ready to finish each magnet — once stuck, it won't cleanly re-release.
How long do 500 or 1,000 sets typically last for a working business?
It depends entirely on volume. A wedding photographer doing 30 weddings a year with 50 magnets per couple needs about 1,500 sets annually — so the 1,000-set pack plus a 500-set reorder covers the year. A real estate agent farming a neighborhood might use 200–400 magnets per quarter. A funeral home might use 100–300 per month. For most photo studios processing occasional keepsake orders, a single 500-set pack lasts 6–12 months. Order the 1,000-set pack when your per-magnet cost savings justify the upfront investment and you have storage space.
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