There are three realistic ways to turn a photo into a fridge magnet. They differ in cost, in how professional the result looks, and in how many you can make in an hour. We have used all three in our own workshop, and each one is the right answer for somebody.
| Method | Startup cost | Look | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo paper mounted on magnetic sheet | Low | Photo-quality, hand-trimmed edge | 2 to 4 min each | Rectangles, any size, starting out |
| Printable magnetic paper | Lowest | Thinner, less vivid | 1 to 2 min each | Quick crafts, kids, one-offs |
| Button press | High | Sealed, manufactured finish | About 10 seconds each | Selling at volume |
Method 1: print on photo paper and mount on magnetic sheet
This is how most people who sell photo magnets start, and it is how we started. You get real photo paper colour with a proper magnetic backing.
What you need
- An inkjet printer
- Photo paper. We use Satin Pro Luxe, a 255gsm satin paper, for every flexible magnet we make
- Flexible magnetic sheets, 8.5 x 11 inches
- A spray or roller adhesive, unless your sheets are pre-adhesive
- A cutting mat, metal ruler and craft knife, or a rotary trimmer
- Optional: a rubber brayer to press out air
Steps
- Lay out the photos at final size. Put several on one letter-size page to save paper. Leave a little space between them to cut. Our templates are set up for this.
- Print at best quality with the paper type set correctly in the printer driver, and auto-enhance switched off.
- Let the ink dry for at least ten minutes. Wet ink smears under adhesive.
- Apply adhesive and mount. Lay one edge down first and roll across the sheet, pushing air ahead of you. Pressing the whole print down at once traps bubbles.
- Press flat with a brayer or under a heavy book for a few minutes.
- Cut. Use a sharp blade and a metal straight edge. Change blades often. A dull blade tears the magnet layer and leaves a ragged edge.
Trade-offs: the paper edge is exposed, so these magnets are not water-resistant and can scuff. Edge quality depends entirely on your cutting.
Method 2: printable magnetic paper
Magnetic paper is a thin magnet sheet with an inkjet-printable coating on one side. You print directly on it and cut. No mounting step.
Steps
- Check that the paper matches your printer. Many printers need a straight, rear paper path for thicker media.
- Feed one sheet at a time.
- Print, let it dry, and cut.
Trade-offs: it is the quickest and cheapest route, and good for children's crafts. But magnetic paper is usually thinner than a mounted magnet, so it holds less weight and can curl. The printable coating rarely matches the colour depth of real photo paper, which matters if you are selling photos of people's faces. Printers can also jam or be damaged by thick media they were not designed for.
We explain the difference in more depth in our magnetic sheets buying guide.
Method 3: a button press
A button maker machine seals your printed artwork under a clear mylar film inside a metal shell, with a magnet on the back. It is how commercial round and rectangular button magnets are made.
What you need
- A button machine in the size you want to make
- The matching graphic punch to cut artwork to the exact size
- Magnet button parts: shells, mylar, backs and magnets
- A printer and paper
Steps
- Print your artwork at the correct cut size, which is larger than the finished button because the edge wraps around the shell. For a 2-1/4 inch button, the artwork is cut to 2.625 inches. Every size is listed in our template size guide.
- Punch the artwork with the graphic punch.
- Load the shell, artwork and mylar into the first die and press.
- Load the back and magnet into the second die and press again.
Trade-offs: much higher upfront cost and fixed sizes, but a sealed, durable magnet that looks manufactured, in about ten seconds a piece. See what size button machine to buy before you choose.
Getting photos to print well
- Resolution: aim for 300 pixels per inch at final size. A 3 inch magnet needs a photo at least 900 pixels across.
- Original files: photos saved from social media or messaging apps are compressed and print soft.
- Brightness: prints look darker than screens. Lift dark photos slightly before printing.
- Finish: satin is kinder to faces than gloss, which shows fingerprints and glare.
If you plan to sell them
Start with method 1. It costs little, teaches you what customers order, and produces a product good enough to sell. Move to a press when hand-cutting becomes the bottleneck, not before. Our guide to starting a photo magnet business covers pricing and finding customers, and magnet business startup costs breaks down the budget item by item.
Rather skip the making altogether? We make custom photo magnets from your photos in one to two business days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to make photo magnets?
Printable magnetic paper has the lowest cost per magnet. Mounted photo paper costs a little more and looks noticeably better.
Can I use a regular printer?
Yes, for methods 1 and 3. For method 2, check that your printer accepts thicker media.
How do I stop bubbles?
Mount from one edge and roll across, rather than laying the print down flat.
Will homemade photo magnets fade?
Pigment inks on good photo paper last for years indoors. Keep any photo print out of long direct sunlight.
How strong are they?
Strong enough to hold themselves and a sheet or two of paper on a steel fridge. Stainless steel doors are often not magnetic, so test first.