Our online custom button template is a great way to determine if your design will fit on the front of your customized button. Not only will you be able to choose how your design will print on your customized button, but you can also start to see how it will look on the completed button.
Where can I find the template for my button size/shape?
All of our button templates can be accessed from our website’s black menu bar, under “TEMPLATES”. Clicking this button will lead you to a page with a simple breakdown of our template, and options for each size and shape that we offer. Clicking the green rectangle with your desired button shape/size will lead you to a PDF file containing a button template. Download this file, and you can use it to plan the layout of your button.
I want a custom button backing that is different than a pin-back, are there special templates for magnets / bulldog clips / Zipper Pulls®?
No, a button’s backing does not change the template needed for the button design. The printing process for your design is the same for all of our button products. Different steps are taken during production to attach the correct backing for your button order. (Interested in what types of button backings we offer? Check out this blog post!)
What programs can I use the custom button template in?
Once you have finished downloading the button template, any digital program with the ability to edit layered digital files can be used to edit the button template. We highly recommend using Adobe Illustrator if you have it available.
Our button templates are saved as layered PDF files to help with the layout process. The background is transparent, meaning your design can be placed under the template lines so you can see how it will look on your button.
What do all the colored template lines mean?
Each of our button templates features color-coded lines to indicate the different parts of the button.
The black lines are cut lines for our production team. Please do not cover these lines or alter their placement, otherwise we cannot make your custom buttons accurately!
The solid blue line is the edge of the bleed area. If you have a background color or pattern you would like to wrap around to the back of the button, make sure it reaches this blue line. Make sure that no part of your design goes past this line, though. This is the edge of our printing area, and we will crop off anything that is past this blue line since it will interfere with the outer black lines.
The red dashed line is approximately where the button edge begins. If you have a picture, logo, or text you are using for your custom buttons make sure to keep it inside this line. Anything that goes beyond this line will very likely print on the button edge, and not the button face.
“Bleed Area”? What is that?
This term refers to the extended space in a design that contains a pattern/color. The space typically surrounds a central design, like a photo, text, or logo, and ensures that the entire button surface is filled how you want it to look. If there is no bleed area in your design, we will either try to make enough bleed for your buttons using the artwork you provided, or notify you of a graphics issue in your proof sheet.
Are there any major layout rules I should know about for the custom button template?
The most important “rule” we have is that any text, pictures, or logos cannot go past the red dashed line. Doing so increases the chances of your design printing on the button edge, not the button face.
How should I save my custom button design when it is in the template?
If you are going to use our button template for your submitted file, it is very important that you save it as a layered file that we can edit. This is because we need to remove the red dashed line before making your buttons. When your artwork has a flattened template on top we cannot always edit out the red dashed line without changing your button design.
This means if you save your button design with our template on top of your image as a .jpg or .png file, we cannot guarantee we will be able to edit out the red dashed line and we will need a new artwork file.
If you are using a program other than Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, we recommend saving your design as a PDF file. For more information about how images are saved, and different file types, check out our previous blog post!
Now that my file is saved, where can I upload it for my custom buttons?
After you have chosen what type and size of button you want to order, click on the “Choose File” button. A window will pop up showing the files on your computer, and you can select the artwork file you wish to have on your buttons. It is important to note that only files up to 8 megabytes can be uploaded with an online order. If your design is larger than this, please contact us directly for further instructions.
Ready to place your custom button order? Visit custombuttons.com, or contact us at 623-445-9975 or sales@custombuttons.com.
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