Free Button Maker Software
People are always asking us is it really that easy to make a pinback button? The quick answer is, absolutely! The next question they ask is, where can I get free button making software? The most challenging thing to accomplish when making a button is designing the artwork, everything else is a piece of cake! If you want to design a pinback button on a computer, then you need some sort of graphic design software. People are always looking for free button making software that works well and is simple to use. ABM offers several suggestions.
If you are kind of, shall we say "computer challenged", then we have the perfect solution for you with our easy to use Build-a-Button Online Design Center. Developed and managed by ABM, it works very well and is simple to use. We even offer a free demo so you can try it before you buy it.
One of our customers had this to say in his review, “The software is exceptionally easy to operate. It has all the bells and whistles to produce professional quality button designs. Not only would I recommend you to purchase the membership after the promotional free membership expires I’d suggest to you, not to give it a second thought and purchase it immediately to continue producing the high quality designs to keep you in front of the competition. The software is the best!!!”
If you can type on a computer, then you can use Build-a-Button software to make some fabulous buttons. One huge advantage to using Build-a-Button is it automatically creates all the different templates for you, perfectly sized and ready to go. This allows you to focus on creating your masterpiece, adding an image, perhaps some text and color and allowing Build-a-Button to do the rest.
Free Button Making Templates
We have listed some additional free button maker software options below. However you will need to create the template outlines for each size and button software program you want to use. Don't worry, we are also here to lend a hand in that area. Simply follow this link to download our complete list of free button making templates.
Adding Button Text
Making text in a circle around the perimeter of a button is quite challenging to accomplish in most graphic design software programs.
But not with Build-a-Button! We designed it specifically with you in mind to make the process as easy as possible. Simply insert text like a word processor. Then easily center, rotate, copy and arrange with a single mouse click.
Free Button Making Software Demo
There are many choices out there for free button designer software. OpenOffice.org is one such program. Open Office provides button designer software that you can download for free.
Free Button Making Templates for Open Office Software
And we have an Open Office video tutorial plus free design templates in a variety of sizes that you can use to create your graphics. Gimp is another good option. However, we believe in the old adage, you get what you pay for. While Gimp is free and works for many people, it can be challenging for a novice to set up and use. That said, since it may be challenging to learn, why not spend a little money on Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw? Both are professional software packages that do not have the glitches and printer driver issues or other problems you might encounter with free button designer software. If you have some time to learn a new software program and install printer drivers, then give Gimp a try. However it won't be long until you'll be ready to upgrade to better button designer software to make your own custom pinback buttons.
Free Button Making Templates for Photoshop Software
If you are familiar with Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw, then you already have the button designing battle won. Adobe Photoshop is the primary market leader for graphics. You can buy a scaled down version of Adobe Photoshop called Photoshop Elements for about $100 and it will probably do everything you need in the Button-World. Adobe Photoshop does have a long learning curve. But, once mastered, your imagination is the only limit to creating incredible graphics.
Free Button Making Templates for Corel Draw Software
However, we find Corel Draw much easier to work with. It seems to be more user friendly for non-graphically minded individuals. Corel Draw is a vector based image software package. Simply put, that means it is used to create and edit logos, stylized art work, maps, web graphics, and other images which can be rendered to any size.
You can reduce or enlarge your vectored images to any size without losing any image quality. One of the really nice things about Corel Draw is a function called PowerClip. PowerClipping is great for working with pinback buttons. In essence you can take a rectangle photo and "PowerClip" it into your round button template. The PowerClip will "clip" everything that does not fit inside your round button so you only print what you want to see.
PowerClip - Before
PowerClip - After
Basically it lets you put a rectangular photo in a round template (see before and after pictures) so you do not waste toner or ink when you print a button. It is awesome to work with and one of our favorite parts of the software package. There are many more benefits to Corel Draw which makes button designing a snap. Which is why we normally recommend Corel Draw to customers who are comfortable with moving around on a computer. Click the following link if you would like a jump start on free Corel Draw templates for making buttons.
ABM has created video tutorials and free button making templates for a variety of sizes to help you create button graphics on your computer using Photoshop, Corel Draw, Print Shop and Open Office. So what do you do if you need button designer software and don't want to spend $100 or more dollars? Snoop around your computer a little. You probably already have a software program on your computer that will work in a pinch. Microsoft products like Paint and Word can both be used to design buttons.
While Microsoft Office is not a graphics program, you can still make simple buttons using their software. You can make name tags or add jpg files to your text and make a really nice button. It is worth mentioning that you don't even need software to make a pinback button.
Many artisans make custom pinback buttons to display their own artwork. Arts and crafts junkies use stickers and ink stamps to make great looking buttons. You can even experiment with pressing flowers and other organic material into a button.
If you are looking to make top notch professional pinback buttons and have intermediate computer skills, then you should go with a professional graphics package like Corel Draw or Photoshop. If budget is more of a consideration or you're needing a simple design approach to making great looking buttons, then we recommend our Build-a-Button Online Design Center. Build-a-Button is an inexpensive button designer software package created specifically for making buttons.