Magnet Maker Machines 🧲

Everything for square photo fridge magnets — machines, dies, parts, costs.

💡 Prices are approximate (USD unless noted) — live vendor prices were bot-blocked, so confirm at each link. Ranges reflect the real market as of mid-2026.

First: how a square photo magnet is made

A square "badge" magnet is a button assembled with a magnet back instead of a pin: a printed image + clear film + metal shell + magnet, pressed together. Three ways to make them:

All-in-one square press kit — cheapest, dedicated to one size (2"×2").
Arbor press + a 2" square die set — you're getting an arbor press, so buy just the dies. ⭐ smart-money route.
Pro square button machine (Tecre / MPRO / People Power) — durable, holds resale value.

⚠️ A standard round button machine (and the cheap 3" round kits) makes round magnets only. For square you need a square die or square machine.

Machine options & prices

Option	New	Used	Notes
Generic 2"×2" kit machine + cutter + 100 sets	~$70–110	~$40–80	Amazon / AliExpress. Light-duty, fine for home/small batches. Exact "square photo magnet" maker.
2" square die set for your arbor press	~$100–180	~$80–200	⭐ Turns the arbor press into a square magnet press. Must match the press mount/shank.
Tecre Model 2020 2"×2", all-metal, 1yr warranty	~$280–360	~$150–250	Pro-grade, no plastic parts. Makes magnets (assemble w/o pin + magnet back). Resells well.
MPRO 2×2 square cam-on-roller, low force	~$250–300	~$140–230	All-metal, easy press action.
People Power Press BM-2020 2" square hand press	~CA$300–400	—	🇨🇦 Ships from Canada (no duty/border). Interchangeable-die friendly.
American Button Machines 2" interchangeable die system	~$250–350	varies	Dies swap between sizes; supports arbor-press style use.

Consumables (per finished magnet)

A "magnet set" = metal top shell + clear mylar film + magnet back. Bulk pricing:

Item	Cost
2" magnet set (shell + film + magnet back), bulk	~$0.20–0.40 / set
Printed image (home inkjet / your Epson ET-15000)	~$0.05–0.15
Total material per magnet	~$0.30–0.55

The money

	Make cost	Sells (Etsy)	Margin
Single photo magnet	~$0.45	$6–10	~85%+
Set of 4	~$1.80	$18–28	~85%+

A press costs $50–350 once; after that each magnet is well under $1 to make. Break-even on a used kit ≈ ~10–20 sets sold.

Smart-money pick for your $200 used budget

First choice: a 2" square die set for your arbor press (~$100–180) — if you can match the mount. Cheapest path to durable square magnets.
Else: a used generic 2×2 kit (~$50–80) — leaves room for materials.
If you want resale value: a used Tecre 2020 / MPRO (~$150–250).

⚠️ Dies & parts are not universal. They're specific by size AND brand/mount. Before buying any used die or machine, message the seller: "What machine/mount is this for, and what size does it make?" Match it to your arbor press and to 2" square parts.

Where to buy → Suppliers