Tecre Button Machine + Graphic Punch

A Tecre button machine and the graphic punch that matches it, sold together. The bundle costs less than the two bought separately, and it means you cannot accidentally order a punch that does not fit your press.

Both pieces are made in the USA by Tecre in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in all-metal construction. There is no motor and nothing electronic. These are the presses used by print shops, schools, campaigns and production studios, and they routinely outlast the businesses that buy them.

Why the punch is not optional

The press seals your artwork under mylar inside a metal shell. That only works if the artwork is cut to exactly the right size. Cut by hand and you get white slivers at the rim, artwork sitting off-centre, and pieces that will not seat properly.

The punch also roughly halves your production time. Hand-cutting a hundred circles is an evening's work. Punching a hundred is a few minutes.

Choosing your size

A press makes one size only, and a die set cannot be converted, so this choice is worth getting right.

Short version: buying for buttons and merchandise, take the 2.25 in. round. Buying for photo magnets, take a rectangle, because a photograph is not circular and cropping a face into a circle throws away the composition.

Still deciding? Read what size button maker machine should you buy, or see artwork dimensions in the template size guide.

What is in the box

• One Tecre button machine in your chosen size
• One matching Tecre graphic punch

You will also need button parts, sold separately in 1,000-piece packs. A set is a metal shell, a clear mylar film and a back. The back decides the product: magnet, pinback, keychain, mirror, bottle opener or coaster, depending on size. Browse them under button making supplies.

Key features

• Heavy-duty all-metal construction
• Cam-on-roller design, so pressing takes minimal force
• Two-step process with a swivel die and positive stops that keep artwork aligned
• Compact enough for a kitchen table, solid enough for a production bench
• No power required
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
• Made in the USA

How it presses

1. Print your design and cut it with the graphic punch.
2. Load the shell, your artwork and the mylar into the first die, and press.
3. Swivel to the second die, add the back, and press again.
4. Lift out a finished, sealed unit. The cycle takes seconds once you have the rhythm.

There is a learning curve of roughly a dozen units. After that it is muscle memory.

Shipping

In stock and ready to ship. Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on weight and destination.

Frequently asked questions

Can one machine make more than one size?
No. The die set is machined for a single size and cannot be converted. The coaster insert for the 3.5 in. machine changes the product, not the size.

Can it make magnets and pins?
Yes, on the same machine, as long as they are the same size. Swap the magnet back for a pinback and press identically.

Are parts included?
No. Parts are consumables, sold separately in 1,000-piece packs so you choose the product you are making.

Is this genuine Tecre?
Yes. Every machine and punch we sell is manufactured by Tecre in Wisconsin.

What does the warranty cover?
Every button machine from Snap Magnets comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. If a defect stops it working, we repair or replace it. If it stops working because of user error, such as a drop or overloading parts, we still fix it at a reasonable cost. You pay for the parts and for shipping both ways. See our Refund Policy for full terms.

Do rectangle buttons have closed corners?
The back of a rectangle button from a manual press has open corners. Fully closed corners need a separate die cutting press and cutting die.

How much space does it need?
A sturdy table and roughly two feet of bench. It is quiet, produces no fumes and no waste beyond paper trim.

Can I return a machine?
Unused machines in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, subject to a 15% restocking fee, with return shipping paid by the customer. See our refund policy.

New to this? How to start a photo magnet business covers pricing and first customers, and startup costs breaks down the budget.