1
Artwork & specification
Lock template, bleed, safe area, white underprint and back hardware
— See the production decisions behind the product
How Button Badges
Are Made
Six production gates from artwork to packing
For B2B buyers, the important question is what must be approved before each operation is repeated across every SKU.
SHAPE OPTIONSRound · oval · rounded rectangle · heart · star · polygon
Request a quotation →
Compare shape options
at a glance.
tooling and specification
REFERENCE VIDEO
Compare six surface
finishes in 23 seconds
The samples are rotated under light to show prismatic reflection, surface grain, short pile, embroidery thread, matte texture and foil. This supports selection; it does not replace a finished-sample approval.
VIDEO CONTENT
- Double glitter
- PU leather look
- Printed plush
- Embroidery
- Paper-touch film
- Foil + double glitter
Button badge manufacturing in 6 gates
Lock the approval evidence before mass production.
2
Printing & physical proof
Approve substrate, color reference, white layer and finished appearance
3
Die cut & finish layers
Confirm cut position, artwork center and hologram direction
4
Component set & press
Crimp shell, print, PET and selected back component in dedicated tooling
5
Appearance & function QC
Compare color, position, edge, joint and pin operation with the approved sample
6
Individual & SKU packing
Reconcile bag, card, label, SKU quantity, ratio and destination cartons
BADGE TYPE & SURFACE
Six button badge finishes shown in the reference video
The same artwork can look and feel different when reflection, pile, embroidery, foil or a tactile film changes.Which surface finishes can a buyer compare?
This guide groups the visible samples into double glitter, PU leather look, printed plush, embroidery with up to four flat thread colors, paper-touch film, and foil plus double glitter. The images use one newly created original character; no reference-video artwork is reused.
01
Reflective finish
Double-glitter button badge
Fine prismatic reflections create a layered sparkle that changes with the viewing angle.
- Good fit for
- Dark artwork, stars, light and gem motifs, event-exclusive merchandise
- Approve before production
- Approve reflection strength, face and text legibility, and white-underprint coverage on a finished sample
02
Soft-touch finish
PU leather-look button badge
A fine grain and soft thickness reduce gloss and make surface feel part of the design.
- Good fit for
- Muted palettes, costume textures and projects that need a tactile difference
- Approve before production
- Check grain scale, print sink, wrapped edges and hand feel on the physical sample
03
Short-pile finish
Printed plush button badge
Artwork is printed on a short-pile surface for a softer, plush-like appearance and feel.
- Good fit for
- Chibi characters, animal motifs and autumn or winter collections
- Approve before production
- Check fine-line visibility, edge softness, pile direction and color shift
04
Four-thread embroidery
Embroidered button badge (up to 4 colors)
Flat color blocks and bold stitched outlines replace gradients; the hair uses one solid deep-teal thread.
- Good fit for
- Chibi art, face-led designs and simplified illustrations with controlled line count
- Approve before production
- Fix thread references to four colors or fewer, keep hair one color, and approve line width, stitch direction and omitted detail
05
Matte tactile finish
Paper-touch film button badge
A matte, fiber-like surface reduces glare and gives the artwork an illustration-paper character.
- Good fit for
- Line art, watercolor-like palettes and understated collections
- Approve before production
- Approve matte level, dark and pale color appearance, rub marks and contamination limits
06
Foil plus reflective finish
Foil-stamped double-glitter badge
Metallic foil and prismatic reflection highlight selected costume or emblem details.
- Good fit for
- Anniversaries, limited editions, emblems and decorative costume details
- Approve before production
- Approve the foil mask, fine-line reproduction, competing reflections and angle-by-angle appearance
Finish names summarize the reference-video appearance for B2B planning. Confirm the actual layer stack, supported size, trial method, MOQ and mass-production feasibility for each project.
Compare design papers and films →Button badge OEM specifications ↗Send artwork and finish requirements ↗DESIGN PAPER & SURFACE FILM
Design papers and surface films for button badges
Use the sample family and number as a starting point, then approve the effect together with the artwork and white-underprint data.What material effects can be compared?
The supplied sample groups show 12 colored glitters, 30 hologram patterns, and 14 silk, pearl, reflective or ceramic-like effects. Do not approve only a name or swatch; evaluate the completed sample under several angles.View specialty paper options & wholesale guide ↗
No.01–12COLOR GLITTER
Colored glitter
Fine glitter particles add color and sparkle. They can support a full background or a controlled accent matched to a character theme.
- No.01
- Gold glitter
- No.02
- Silver glitter
- No.03
- White glitter
- No.04
- Blue glitter
- No.05
- Light-blue glitter
- No.06
- Purple glitter
- No.07
- Green glitter
- No.08
- Red glitter
- No.09
- Pink glitter
- No.10
- Gray glitter
- No.11
- Black glitter
- No.12
- Pearl glitter
Good fit for
Anniversary merchandise, event editions, member-color SKUs, stage costumes, stars and gems
Approve before production
Approve glitter density, base color, white-underprint coverage, and face, text and fine-line legibility
No.23–52HOLOGRAM PATTERN
Hologram patterns
Rainbow patterns move with the light and viewing angle. Pattern direction and density can materially affect faces, text and fine details.
- No.23
- Plain
- No.24
- Fine sand silver
- No.25
- Fine sand gold
- No.26
- Flowing-sand stars
- No.27
- Small dots
- No.28
- Large dots
- No.29
- Random dots
- No.30
- Crushed glass
- No.31
- Cloud
- No.32
- Flame
- No.33
- Flowing cloud
- No.34
- Rainbow line
- No.35
- Hairline
- No.36
- Fine crush
- No.37
- Cross
- No.38
- Random line
- No.39
- Snowflake
- No.40
- Mosaic
- No.41
- Meteor shower
- No.42
- Heart
- No.43
- Scale
- No.44
- Light beam
- No.45
- Sakura
- No.46
- Square
- No.47
- Diamond flower
- No.48
- Firework
- No.49
- Bright gold
- No.50
- Bright silver
- No.51
- Gold cloud
- No.52
- Silver cloud
Good fit for
Concert goods, anniversaries, night-sky, magic, flame and floral motifs, limited editions
Approve before production
Approve direction, density, white knockouts, overlap with faces or text, and the finished appearance at several angles
No.53–66SPECIAL TEXTURE
Special textures and pearl effects
Fiber, pearl, scattered-glitter, reflective and ceramic-like effects suit projects that need material character rather than a strong repeating pattern.
- No.53
- Silk silver
- No.54
- Silk gold
- No.55
- Silk pink
- No.56
- Aurora silk blue
- No.57
- Aurora silk pink
- No.58
- Aurora pearl blue
- No.59
- Aurora pearl pink
- No.60
- Aurora pearl purple
- No.61
- Rainbow white
- No.62
- Aurora white glitter
- No.63
- Rainbow green
- No.64
- Reflective
- No.65
- White ceramic look
- No.66
- Aurora ceramic look
Good fit for
Watercolor and pale artwork, premium collections, bridal and Japanese-inspired motifs
Approve before production
Approve texture direction, gloss level, pale-color sinking, color interference and acceptable lot variation
Ten production operations, with buyer checks
Each card identifies the operation, materials or equipment, production terms, buyer approvals and a common risk.
What should a B2B buyer approve?
Review artwork, printing, physical color, die cutting, surface effects, component staging, pressing, front appearance, back hardware and SKU packing against the released specification and approved sample. A process name is not an acceptance criterion.
1Artwork and specification review
Check the artwork on the factory template, including the face, wrapped edge and production notes.
- Materials / equipment
- AI or PSD file, size template, released specification and color reference
BleedWrap areaSafe areaCMYKWhite underprint
Buyer approvals- ✓ Finished size, SKU name and artwork top
- ✓ Faces, text and logos inside the safe area
- ✓ Background bleed and white-underprint data
RiskInsufficient bleed may expose white at the edge; critical art can wrap away from the face; RGB conversion and live fonts can change output.
2Printing and imposition
Arrange approved SKUs on the production sheet and print with the released output conditions.
- Materials / equipment
- PET or printed paper, ink, printing equipment, imposed artwork and output proof
ImpositionPreflightPrint substrateOutput proof
Buyer approvals- ✓ Paper plus clear PET or direct PET print construction
- ✓ SKU order and quantity on the imposed sheet
- ✓ Which output proof each SKU must pass
RiskColor and gloss change with substrate and print process. Confirm the real layer stack and output proof, not only the process name.
3Color proof and white-underprint check
Compare physical output for color, density, fine lines, transparency and white-underprint behavior.
- Materials / equipment
- Physical color proof, approved reference, printed sheet and approval record
Color proofApproved sampleWhite underprintTransparencyLot variation
Buyer approvals- ✓ Skin tones, brand colors and black density
- ✓ Legibility of pale colors and small text
- ✓ Reference sample retained for repeat orders
RiskA monitor is not a physical color standard. Approve under agreed lighting with the final substrate, white layer and finish.
4Die cutting and registration
Cut the printed sheet to the die profile and align the visible face with the wrap allowance.
- Materials / equipment
- Cutting die, die-cutting machine, position guide and printed sheet
Die cuttingCut positionRegistrationWrap allowanceCenter shift
Buyer approvals- ✓ Artwork center and top direction
- ✓ Distance from critical artwork to the finish line
- ✓ Cut edge, chips and deformation
RiskRegistration drift can move the design off-center or pull details into the wrapped edge. Use the actual tooling template.
5Surface finish and hologram check
Combine hologram or glitter layers and check reflection against artwork legibility from several angles.
- Materials / equipment
- Hologram or glitter layer, clear protective film and printed layer with white underprint
Hologram patternWhite underprintTransparencyReflectionLegibility
Buyer approvals- ✓ Pattern type, direction and visible region
- ✓ Overlap with faces, text and pale colors
- ✓ Appearance of the finished sample at several angles
RiskFine text, pale colors and small details can disappear into reflection. Approve the completed construction.
6Component set and back preparation
Stage the shell, print, protective film and correct back component by SKU.
- Materials / equipment
- Metal shell, clear protective film, back component, pin, clip or magnet
ShellBack componentPin directionComponent fitLot
Buyer approvals- ✓ Back type and compatible size
- ✓ Pin direction relative to artwork top
- ✓ Dents, scratches, corrosion or mixed components
RiskA wrong component or orientation is difficult to correct after pressing. Match the first set against the SKU instruction.
7Press forming and crimping
Load each layer into the tooling and press the shell and back into one assembly.
- Materials / equipment
- Press, dedicated tooling, shell, printed layer, PET and back component
PressingCrimpingWrapPress pressureFirst-off sample
Buyer approvals- ✓ First-off sample versus approved sample
- ✓ Wrapped edge and front/back orientation
- ✓ Shell-to-back retention
RiskIncorrect loading or pressure can cause shift, film wrinkles, dents, weak retention or over-crimping.
8Front and appearance inspection
Inspect the finished face and edge against the approved sample and written quality criteria.
- Materials / equipment
- Approved sample, quality criteria, inspection record and sorting tray
Appearance inspectionLimit sampleFull or sampling inspectionNonconforming unitLot
Buyer approvals- ✓ Color, position, orientation and correct SKU
- ✓ Scratches, dents, dirt, particles and wrinkles
- ✓ Inspection scope and disposition of rejects
Risk“Looks good” is not a repeatable criterion. Define good samples, limit samples and inspection scope before production.
9Back and pin-function inspection
Check the back component, joint, pin opening, retention and direction.
- Materials / equipment
- Finished badge, back specification, approved sample and inspection record
Functional checkPin movementRetentionJoint conditionSafety
Buyer approvals- ✓ Correct back component
- ✓ Pin direction, opening and retention
- ✓ Deformation, corrosion and assembly failure
RiskSharp hardware can scratch neighboring goods. Prevent contact during handling and packing even after functional inspection.
10Individual packing and SKU cartons
Pack accepted units for the sales model, then reconcile SKU, quantity, labels and destination cartons.
- Materials / equipment
- OPP bag, backing card, barcode or JAN label, cushioning, inner box and shipping carton
Individual packingSKUAssortment ratioCarton quantityTraceability
Buyer approvals- ✓ Bag, backing card, retention and label position
- ✓ Quantity by SKU, blind-pack ratio and set contents
- ✓ Carton count, cushioning, carton label and split destination
RiskPlan for movement inside the bag, mixed SKUs and shipping abrasion. Verify hidden items before sealing opaque packaging.
Bleed, safe area, white underprint, material thickness and press settings vary with size, tooling and layer stack. Use the factory template and approved sample instead of copying fixed numbers. See the button badge OEM specification page ↗ for product options.
PRE-PRODUCTION APPROVAL
Mass-production release checklist
Share eight release points across merchandising, procurement and production.Artwork
Final file, color, size and wrap range
Output proof
Physical color and intended finished appearance
Print result
Color, resolution and registration
Face and film
Surface quality and cut line
Back hardware
Specification, retention and safety
Final sample
Mass-production-equivalent total check
Pack and SKU
Individual pack, assortment ratio and identification
Delivery specification
Carton, label and split-delivery schedule
Release mass production only after both the specification and the physical sample are approved.
Open the OEM specification checklist ↗PLANNING CHECK
Before artwork release
Resolve these inputs before production starts.Artwork
- Final AI, PSD or PNG file
- CMYK working data
- Outlined fonts
Specification
- Shape and finished size
- Gloss, matte or specialty finish
- Pin, clip or magnet back
Quantity & date
- Total and per-SKU quantity
- Split delivery
- Event or sales deadline
Other
- Bag and backing card
- Brand labels or JAN barcode
- Destination and fulfillment format
QUALITY CONTROL
Quality-control points
Agree what is checked, how much is checked and what happens to nonconforming units.CheckMain acceptance points
Print qualityColor, resolution, variation and scratches
DimensionsFinished size, cut position and artwork center
AppearanceDirt, particles, wrinkles, dents and deformation
AssemblyFace retention and back-joint condition
Function & safetyPin movement, retention and exposed sharp points
Final inspectionDefined full or sampling inspection against approved evidence
COLOR & FINISH
Approve color and hologram effects physically
The screen is not the finished product; substrate, white ink and reflection must be judged together.Physical color proof
Approve skin tones and brand colors on the real material, then record the accepted reference for mass production.
Hologram finish
Check white-underprint coverage, pattern density, faces and text from more than one angle.
ASSORTMENT & PACKAGING
Brand packs and SKU control
Match individual bags, backing cards, labels, character SKUs and random-assortment ratios before cartons are released.
- ✓ Individual bag, backing card and label
- ✓ SKU quantity and blind-pack ratio
- ✓ Carton split by delivery destination
REPEAT ORDER
Keep four records for reorders
1
Approved sample
Keep front, back and packed-condition evidence with the approval date.
2
Released specification
Version the size, layer stack, finish, back hardware and artwork top.
3
SKU and packing matrix
Keep per-design quantities, assortment ratios, cards, labels and carton counts.
4
QC and shipment record
Keep acceptance criteria, inspection scope, disposition, lot and destination.
RFQ PREPARATION
What to send for a quotation
One concise brief helps the supplier quote the same product you intend to approve.
OEM order process ↗- Artwork / project name
- Shape, size and SKU count
- Total and per-SKU quantity
- Surface finish
- Back hardware
- Packing and labels
- Destination / split delivery
- Required date
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Button badge manufacturing FAQ
Answers for artwork, finishes, inspection, packing and repeat orders.QCan button badges be made in shapes other than round?
A
Oval, rounded rectangle, heart, star and polygon formats may be possible. Feasibility depends on size, tooling, back hardware and artwork, so send a dimensioned shape reference with the RFQ.
QCan the same artwork be used for all six surface finishes?
A
The source artwork can be shared, but white-underprint, foil, embroidery and legibility data usually need finish-specific adjustment. Embroidery should use flat color blocks, no gradients and four thread colors or fewer for this specification.
QHow should a hologram film or design-paper option be specified?
A
Quote the material category and sample number together with shape, size, artwork, quantity and required date. Availability and appearance can vary by supplier or lot, so approve a physical finished sample.
QAre all button badges printed directly on PET film?
A
No. The reference process shows PET-film printing, while other constructions use printed paper plus a clear protective film or another layer stack. Confirm the construction in the quotation and approved sample.
QIs a digital proof enough for color approval?
A
For color-sensitive merchandise, approve a physical sample or another agreed physical reference. Substrate, white ink, reflective layers and lighting can change the finished appearance.
QIs every unit inspected?
A
Inspection scope is project-specific. Confirm full versus sampling inspection, appearance and functional checks, acceptance criteria, and how nonconforming units are handled.
QCan multiple SKUs be packed as a random assortment?
A
Yes, when the SKU master, quantity and mix ratio are fixed before packing. Define the verification method before opaque sealing and the lot, carton and destination traceability afterward.
QWhat should be retained for repeat-order consistency?
A
Retain the approved sample, released specification, physical color reference, finish, back hardware, SKU and packing matrix, and QC record under one project number. Confirm changes before each reorder.
QWhat information is needed for a quotation?
A
Send finished shape and size, design count, total and per-SKU quantities, face finish, back hardware, packing, required date and destination. Add color references, labels, mix ratios and split-delivery rules when applicable.
Not every specification needs to be final before the first discussion.