How to Apply and Remove a "Cunning" Magnet or Button Safely
By Holly Bones Art & Design | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Guide pratiche
Learn how to apply a button pin, remove a magnet without damage, and care for your button pin backing so your "Cunning" art stays secure and looks its best.
Quick answer
Choose the backing that matches your surface, then apply and remove it gently: pin-back buttons belong on fabrics, magnets belong on magnetic surfaces, and both should be handled by the edge rather than the printed face.
Why the backing choice matters before you apply anything
The "Cunning" button or magnet is hand-pressed in the Ypsilanti studio and measures about 40x60mm. That size is large enough to be noticed but light enough to sit comfortably on a jacket lapel or a fridge door. The pin-back option is built to secure to fabrics and textiles, while the magnet is meant for refrigerators and other magnetic surfaces. Using the wrong backing for the surface is the most common reason people damage either the art or the thing they attach it to.
When to skip the pin and use the magnet instead
If you want to display a magnet or button on a surface that cannot take a pin—such as a stainless steel fridge, a magnetic whiteboard, or a metal cabinet—the magnet is the safer choice. Avoid forcing a pin through thick leather, padded upholstery, or tightly woven synthetic fabrics, because the backing can bend or the fabric can tear. For delicate or vintage textiles, consider displaying the button on a fabric swatch or pin board rather than directly on the garment.
Step-by-step application and removal
- Match the backing to the surface: Use the pin-back on fabrics such as denim jackets, canvas bags, or cork boards. Use the magnet on refrigerators, magnetic boards, or steel cabinets. Common mistake: forcing a pin through a hard or tightly woven material, which can bend the pin or tear the fabric. If the surface is not clearly fabric or magnetic, choose a different display spot.
- Prepare the fabric before pinning: Lay the garment flat and decide the exact spot. Pin through a single layer when possible, and avoid seams, pockets, or areas that flex constantly. Common mistake: pinning through a lined or padded area where the backing cannot sit flat. Test the placement by holding the button in place before pushing the pin through.
- Apply the pin-back with controlled pressure: Push the pin through the fabric from the front, then secure the clasp or backing on the inside. Do not twist or wiggle the pin while it is through the fabric. Common mistake: pushing the pin through at an angle, which enlarges the hole and weakens the fabric. Keep the pin perpendicular to the fabric as it passes through.
- Place the magnet flat and centered: Set the magnet flat against the magnetic surface and slide it gently into position rather than dropping it. Common mistake: letting the magnet snap onto the surface from a distance, which can chip the edge or scratch the surface. Lower the magnet slowly until it makes contact, then adjust.
- Remove the pin without pulling the fabric: Support the fabric around the pin with one hand, then ease the pin out with the other. Remove the clasp first, then draw the pin straight back through the same hole. Common mistake: yanking the button away, which stretches the hole or bends the pin. If the pin feels stuck, stop and check for a bent point before forcing it.
- Lift the magnet by the edge: Slide the magnet toward the edge of the surface and lift it by the rim, keeping your fingers away from the printed face. Common mistake: pulling straight up from the center, which can cause the magnet to snap back or twist. Store the magnet flat or on a metal surface so it does not attract stray metal objects.
- Check the backing after each removal: Look at the pin for bends and the magnet for cracks or separation from the button. Wipe the printed face with a dry, soft cloth if needed. Common mistake: ignoring a slightly bent pin, which will enlarge the hole next time. Retire the piece from fabric use if the pin is bent or the magnet no longer sits flat.
Product facts
- "Cunning" Magnet or Button: The "Cunning" design is available as a pin-back button or a magnet, hand-pressed in the Ypsilanti studio. You can match the backing to your display surface instead of compromising on where the art can go.
"Cunning" Magnet or Button - "Cunning" Magnet or Button: It measures approximately 40x60mm. The size gives you a clear target for placement and makes the piece easy to grip by the edges during removal.
