Magnet vs Button: How to Choose Art Display Style
By Holly Bones Art & Design | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Buying Guides
Deciding between a magnet and a button for your art piece? This guide compares each backing option so you can pick the one that fits your display surface and daily use.
Quick answer
Pick a magnet if you want to display art on a fridge or metal surface without damage; pick a button if you prefer to wear it on clothing or pin it to fabric. Your surface and how you plan to use the piece decide the backing.
Surface matters most
The biggest difference between these two backing options is the surface they attach to. A pin-back button uses a metal pin that pierces fabric, making it ideal for jackets, bags, hats, or any textile. A magnet sticks to any ferromagnetic surface, such as a refrigerator, a metal locker, or a magnetic board, without leaving holes.
If you often switch your art between different spots, a magnet lets you move it freely. If you want to make a statement on your outfit, the pin-back button is the natural choice.
Durability and daily handling
Both options are hand-pressed in the studio and measure about 40x60mm, so the artwork itself is identical. The difference is in how they hold up to daily use. A pin-back button stays secure once pinned, but the pin can bend if handled roughly. A magnet holds firmly to metal but can slide off if bumped hard, especially on vertical surfaces.
For a bag that gets tossed around, a button is less likely to fall off. For a desk or fridge that sees light contact, a magnet is perfectly reliable.
How to decide: magnet or button?
- Choose a magnet if...: You want to display the art on a refrigerator, metal locker, or any magnetic surface. Magnets leave no marks and let you rearrange your collection without damage.
- Choose a button if...: You plan to wear the art on a jacket, backpack, hat, or any fabric item. The pin-back secures through textiles and stays put during movement.
- Consider the surface texture: Buttons work on any fabric thickness up to a light denim. Magnets need a clean, flat metal surface—painted or textured fridge doors may reduce hold strength. If your fridge has a textured or non-metal surface, a button is the safer pick.
- Think about swapping art later: If you like to rotate your display often, magnets let you swap pieces in seconds. Buttons require unpinning and repinning, which can wear fabric over time.
Artwork options to consider
- "Empty Vessel" Magnet or Button: The “Empty Vessel” button or magnet features hand-pressed artwork and measures approximately 40x60mm. At 40x60mm, this piece is large enough to show detail whether pinned to a jacket or stuck on a fridge.
"Empty Vessel" Magnet or Button - "Wrought" Magnet or Button: The “Wrought” button or magnet is also hand-pressed in the Ypsilanti studio and comes in the same 40x60mm size. Its bold linework stands out equally well on fabric or metal, so the backing choice is purely about where you want to place it.
"Wrought" Magnet or Button
Which backing fits you?
Best for
- Anyone who wants to decorate a fridge, locker, or metal surface without permanent marks
- Collectors who like to rearrange their art display frequently
Not for
- People who primarily want to wear the art on clothing or bags—choose a button instead
