Welcome to the new website! Let us know if find any bugs! Turnaround Time | Custom: usually 1-3 day turnaround for <500 items | Catalog: usually ships daily if ordered by 2 PM Pacific

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who runs this thing?

Alex Wrekk (she/her & they/them) and Paul Burke (he/him). You can read more on our [About Us] page.

What is the best way to contact you?

 Email. Email. Email. [portlandbuttonworks@gmail.com] is always the best way to get in touch. We often answer emails even when the shop is closed. We don't always hear the phones while we're in the middle of button pressing, and email gives us a written record of your request, which helps everyone stay on the same page.

What kind of items do you make?

We make round, metal-shell, pinback buttons, with mylar covers (as well as magnets, mirrors, and keychains in the same round format).

  • Pinback Buttons & Magnets: 1”, 1.25”, 2.25”, and 3.5”

  • Bottle Opener Keychains: 2.25”

  • Hand Mirrors: 2.25” and 3.5”

  • Magnetic Badges: 1” and 1.25”

    • We do NOT make: Square, rectangle, oval, or heart-shaped buttons.

    • We do NOT make: Cloisenné, enamel, or "lapel" pins (the kind made of cast metal and enamel).
      We do NOT make: Sewing buttons (seems like a strange question? We've gotten it often)

    How much does it cost?

    Prices start at $5.00 for a single custom item. Costs vary by size and quantity—the more you order, the less expensive they become. You can see the volume discounts by entering your desired quantity on each product page.

    How do I place a custom order?

    Placing an order has two parts:

    1. Placing the order online.

    2. Submitting properly formatted, print-ready artwork. Please read the product descriptions carefully before ordering.

    How soon can I get my order?

    • Under 500 buttons: 1–5 business days.

    • 500–1,000 buttons: 3–7 business days.

    Over 1,000: Contact us for an estimate.

    I don’t know how to do design work. Can you help?

    To keep our prices affordable and our turnaround times fast, Portland Button Works operates on a "print-ready" basis. This means we do not offer custom design services, in-person consultations, or curated variety packs.

    If you don't have a print-ready file, we strongly recommend using our Online Customizer, which is available on every custom item product listing. This tool allows you to upload images and add text for free.

    How do I use the Online Customizer?

    On each product page, you will see a button labeled "Customize this design." Clicking this opens our integrated design tool (PitchPrint). Here, you can upload your images, crop them to the correct size, add text, and preview exactly how your button will look before you order. Using this tool is the best way to keep your costs down and ensure your art is positioned perfectly.

    What kind of artwork can I use?

    We accept most high-resolution image files. Please note that we will not print anything we consider blatantly racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive. By submitting artwork, you affirm that you have the legal rights or permission to use those images.

    I live in or will be visiting Portland, Oregon, can I just come and pick up my order?

    Yes, we offer a pick up option through our checkout system.

    When are you open for order pick-ups or browsing?

      • We do not have open retail hours. We are generally in the shop every day for some period of time

        • Pick-ups: You will receive an email notification when your order is ready to coordinate a time.
        Browsing: If you’d like to browse our zines, books, and pre-made buttons, please [schedule an appointment online].

    How do I get my zine in your shop?

    We look for zines rooted in DIY and punk ethics. We prefer zines with a retail price of $5.00 or less. We are especially interested in perzines, witchcraft (non-Wiccan/secular), self-care, vegan cooking, and DIY projects.

    • Note: We are generally not looking for poetry, fiction, comics, or art zines unless they specifically align with the topics above.

    • How to submit: Please send a physical copy (no digital files) to our P.O. Box with a note including the retail price and your contact info.

    .

    Portand Button Works

    c/o Alex Wrekk

    P.O. Box 17615

    Portland, Oregon 97217

    Do you offer wholesale?

    Yes! Most of our catalog buttons and some of our zines are available for wholesale. Email us to set up an account. Or check out our page on Faire.

    I didn't receive my confirmation email or password reset!

     Please check your spam folder first. If it's not there, contact us—sometimes a typo in the email address during checkout causes the issue, and we can correct it manually.

    Can I come in and use your button machines?

    No. Our shop is a professional manufacturing space, not a DIY maker-space or a library. Our machines are industrial-grade and calibrated for our specific production process. For insurance and maintenance reasons, we do not rent out our equipment or allow public use of our machines. Can I borrow or rent a machine to take to my event? No. We do not rent out our equipment for off-site use. If you have an event and need buttons, we are happy to make them for you!

    Do you do "on-site" button making for events?

    Generally, no. We focus on high-quality manufacturing in our shop. However, if you are a local Portland organization with a large-scale event, you can email us to discuss a custom quote for a "Pop-Up" button station, though these are rare.