Button badges, the perfect, tiny visual marketing tool. A great way to spread the word about your business or a cause.

History of button badges

It is widely believed that the first ever widely used button badge was part of an anti-slavery movement in 1787, in Britain. Josiah Wedgewood of the Wedgewood pottery dynasty ordered the production of "the kneeling African", depicting a slave in chains, with the slogan "Am I not a man and a brother".

The first innovation to the design was patented in 1893, by Benjamin S. Whitehead. He had inserted a sheet of transparent film made of celluloid over a photo, mounted on a badge.

The first button badge used as a marketing tool was the use of The Yellow Kid, a popular cartoon character, as a print on a button badge, given as a prize for chewing gum and tobacco products.

How to use the different shapes of button badges?

At Custom wizard, button badges come in 11 different shapes. You can find out which shape you should use for your button badge with these simple guides:

Round or square

A round or a square button badge is a safe bet. Especially if you have more text or a more intricate pattern in your logo - this way the shape of the button badge will not interfere with your picture.

Heart shape

If your button badge promotes an important cause or is a gift for a special someone, definitely go with a heart shape. It adds an extra element of care.

Star shape

If you are promoting a business or cause with young people as a target audience, go with a star shape. It is an effective way to reach the younger generations.

Hexagonal or octagonal

Perfect for promoting everything to do with education, whether it is a school, a sports club or any sort of informal educational facility.

Where should you wear button badges?

It entirely depends on the type of button badge and what it is promoting.

If you are promoting a more serious business, wear the button badges as one would wear a brooch, on the left side of a business shirt. You could also attach it on a small briefcase or purse.

If the shape of your button badge is a bit out of the box, for example, a heart shape, star or an angular shape, you are probably promoting a cause, or a business that is not too formal. This adds an extra layer of freedom in the way you will be dressed while wearing it, so you can put these types of button badges on a jacket, flannel, or even on a backpack.