Key Takeaways
- You only need 4 essentials to start: a magnet machine, supplies, a printer, and photo paper.
- Machine supply bundles from Titan and MPRO run about $225 per 1,000 magnets.
- The Epson EcoTank printer series is the community standard for keeping ink costs minimal.
- Glossy photo paper is what most makers use — budget about $20–$40 for a starter pack. Paper weight depends on your printer (see details below).
- Total startup investment ranges from roughly $1,950 to $2,900 depending on your machine and printer choice.
It's Simpler Than You Think
One of the most common posts we see in our community of 17,000+ magnet makers is some version of: "I want to start making magnets — what do I need?"
Terri (community member) posted exactly that: "Good morning. What do I need to get started? Is there somewhere I need to go to get a machine or just what do I need?" Vanessa (community member) asked, "I want to start with magnets — what is the best beginner's machine?" Grace (community member) put together a comprehensive supply list after seeing the question come up dozens of times.
The answer is more straightforward than most people expect. You need four things. Let's break each one down.
The Essential Four
1. A Magnet Machine
This is your core piece of equipment — the device that assembles your printed photos into finished magnets. The two brands trusted by our community are the Titan Press → and the MPRO →.
Titan Press bundles start at $1,703.50 and include the machine plus supplies for your first 1,000 magnets. The Titan is a robust, well-built machine with a strong following in the community. Victoria (community member) posted excitedly about unboxing her new 2.5x2.5" Titan Press — she'd been so eager to get started that she'd already made magnets with the first one she ordered (even though it arrived with a small crack).
MPRO kits start at about $2,225 for the 2x2 Manual Kit, which includes the machine, graphic punch, and supplies for your first 1,000 magnets. The MPRO is a premium machine with a loyal following. Diane (community member) posted asking for honest reviews of the MPRO press, and the response was enthusiastic — it's a capable machine that produces professional-quality magnets.
Both machines come in multiple sizes. The 2x2 inch format is the most popular for beginners — it's affordable per magnet, quick to produce, and customers love the compact size. You can always add larger sizes later as your business grows.
See our side-by-side comparison at machine comparison to decide which is right for you.
2. Supplies (Magnet Components)
These are the consumable parts that go into every magnet you make: the magnetic backing, mylar cover sheet, and adhesive components. Think of them like the "ingredients" — you'll need to restock as you sell.
Both Titan and MPRO sell supply bundles designed specifically for their machines. This is the easiest way to buy — everything is sized correctly and quality-tested for your specific machine.
Cost: approximately $225 per 1,000 magnets, which breaks down to about $0.225 per magnet. That's your per-unit material cost for the magnet assembly itself.
A quick note on true costs: $0.225 is the raw supply cost. Your fully-loaded cost per magnet — once you factor in packaging ($0.05–$0.15 for sleeves or bags), platform fees if you sell on Etsy (10–15% per sale), and booth fees at events ($25–$300 per market) — is closer to $0.40–$0.60 per magnet. Even at the higher end, the margins are excellent.
Corina (community member) asked the group, "Where can I buy supplies in bulk such as the film, magnet, metal back piece, etc.?" The answer: order directly from your machine's manufacturer for the best compatibility and pricing. Iuls (community member) ran into trouble when she tried to reorder supplies from a third-party source — the manufacturer's website was down and nobody was getting back to her. Sticking with Titan or MPRO directly avoids this kind of headache.
3. A Printer
You need a photo-quality inkjet printer to produce the images that go into your magnets. The Epson EcoTank series is the overwhelming favorite in our community, and for one simple reason: the refillable ink tank system makes your cost per print nearly negligible.
Here's how the main models stack up.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (~$180–$240) — The budget pick. Perfectly good photo quality for 2x2 and 2x3 magnets. This is what most beginners start with. Important note on paper weight: the ET-2800 can handle paper up to about 100 gsm through its front-load tray. It won't reliably feed heavy glossy photo paper (200+ gsm). The good news? Lighter glossy paper in the 120–150gsm range works well for magnets, especially since the mylar cover on button-press magnets protects the print anyway. Several makers use it this way without issue.
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 (~$200–$250) — A step up with better connectivity and slightly refined output. It has similar paper weight limitations to the ET-2800, so plan on using lighter glossy stock here too. Solid middle choice.
Epson EcoTank ET-8550 (~$600–$750 new, ~$490–$600 refurbished) — The premium option with a 6-color Claria ET Premium ink system (1 pigment black + 5 dye colors) for noticeably richer photos, wider color gamut, and sharper detail. Crucially, it also has a rear feed tray that handles heavier photo paper (200+ gsm). For makers who want the absolute best photo quality or plan to print larger formats (up to 13x19").
Canon PIXMA and Megatank models are also used by some makers who prefer Canon's color handling. Donna (community member) was looking at the Canon PIXMA G3270 MegaTank (~$260–$290) as an alternative to the Epson 8550.
Your paper and ink cost combined works out to roughly $0.04 per magnet with any of these printers. That's the power of refillable ink — it turns printing from an ongoing expense into a rounding error.
Canva export tip: If you use Canva to design your magnet images, always export as PDF Print for 300 DPI output. PNG and JPG exports from Canva's free plan are only 96 DPI and will look pixelated on a printed magnet.
For a deeper comparison, read our full printer guide: Best Printer for Making Photo Magnets.
4. Photo Paper
The last essential. You'll print your magnet images on glossy photo paper, then cut and assemble them.
The right paper weight depends on your printer. If you're using an ET-2800 or ET-2850, stick with lighter glossy paper in the 120–150gsm range — these printers can't reliably feed heavier stock. If you're using an ET-8550 or similar with a rear feed tray, you can use heavier 200–280gsm glossy photo paper for richer prints and a more substantial feel.
Popular brands recommended by makers include Koala (Olga shared that Koala's thin semi-gloss paper eliminated the pizza-wheel marks she'd been fighting), A-Sub, and Epson's own branded paper. A 100-sheet pack typically runs $20–$40 and will produce hundreds of magnets since you can fit multiple images on a single sheet.
Phuong is still experimenting with different paper options for flexible magnets and asked the community for recommendations. The consistent advice: start with a well-reviewed glossy paper, test it with your specific printer, and dial in your settings before buying in bulk.
Glossy vs. matte is an ongoing community debate. Glossy is more popular and produces punchier colors. Matte has its fans for certain aesthetics. If you're unsure, start with glossy — you can always experiment with matte later.
What About Laminate?
If you make flexible photo magnets (where you adhere a printed photo to an adhesive magnet sheet rather than using a button-press machine), lamination is important. It protects the print from scratches, UV fading, and moisture.
Cold laminate (self-adhesive laminating sheets) is the most popular method. You peel it, lay it over your print, and smooth it down. No heat, no special equipment. A brayer or credit card works to push out air bubbles.
Scotch cold laminate is the brand name that comes up most often — makers trust it for consistency. But as Susan (community member) mentioned in the group, the brand doesn't make a huge difference for basic cold laminate: "Try a small package of whatever is on sale."
Paula (community member), a newer maker, shared her first project and noticed some bubbles on the back. She asked whether people laminate after applying the magnet sheet. The answer: yes, laminating the printed photo before adhering it to the magnet sheet is standard practice for flexible magnets and dramatically improves durability.
Courtney was testing supplies for flexible magnets alongside her button magnets and was happy with how her test pieces turned out. The community encouraged her to laminate for any flexible magnets that would be used on fridges and exposed to handling.
If you're using a button-press machine (Titan or MPRO), your magnets already get a mylar cover during the pressing process, which serves as built-in protection. Additional lamination isn't necessary for button-press magnets.
Where to Buy Everything
Knowing what you need is half the battle. Here's where to get it.
Magnet machines and supplies: Order directly from Titan Press → or MPRO →. Buying the bundle (machine + supplies) is almost always the best value. This ensures compatibility and you'll have manufacturer support if anything goes wrong.
Printers: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart — anywhere that sells electronics. The Epson EcoTank series is widely available. Watch for sales, especially around back-to-school season and Black Friday. Refurbished units from Epson's official store can save you 15–25%. Audrey (community member) mentioned how pleased she was with how quickly her supplies arrived from her chosen vendor.
Photo paper: Amazon is the go-to for most makers. Koala, A-Sub, and other brands are available in bulk packs. Rebecca in the Magnet Maker Community has compiled recommended supply sources for newcomers.
Laminate: Amazon and craft supply stores. Cold laminate sheets come in rolls or pre-cut sheets. Buy a small pack to test before committing to bulk.
For the complete list with direct links and current pricing, check our free starter toolkit.
Starter Kits at Two Price Points
Here's what a full setup looks like at different investment levels.
Standard Setup (~$1,950)
- Titan Press bundle ($1,703.50) — machine + 1,000 magnet supplies
- Epson EcoTank ET-2800 (~$180–$240)
- Glossy photo paper, 100 sheets (~$25)
- Total: ~$1,910–$1,970
This is the most popular starting point for new makers. The Titan's supply bundle gives you 1,000 magnets' worth of materials right out of the box, and the ET-2800 is a reliable printer for getting started. Use lighter glossy paper (120–150gsm) and you'll make great magnets from day one.
Premium Setup (~$2,500–$2,900)
- Either machine bundle (Titan at $1,703.50 or MPRO at $2,225)
- Epson EcoTank ET-8550 (~$600–$750 new, ~$490–$600 refurbished)
- Glossy photo paper, bulk pack (~$50)
- Cold laminate roll for flexible magnets (~$25)
- Extra supply reorder (~$225)
- Total: ~$2,500–$2,900 depending on your choices
This is the "go big from day one" approach. Premium printer, bulk supplies, and enough materials to start filling serious orders right away. The ET-8550's six-color Claria ET Premium ink system gives you the best possible photo quality, and the rear feed tray lets you use heavier photo paper for a more premium feel.
What NOT to Waste Money On
Our group is refreshingly honest about bad purchases. Here's what experienced makers say you can skip.
Expensive design software. Canva's free tier does everything most magnet makers need. Don't pay for Photoshop or Illustrator unless you're already using them. Ruchi in our group shared that free AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini have been "a total game-changer" for creating designs. Just remember: when exporting from Canva, always use PDF Print format for 300 DPI — the standard PNG/JPG export is only 96 DPI.
A second machine before you need it. Evelinn (community member) posted about going "all in" with excitement — which is great — but the community wisely advises starting with one machine, one size, and mastering it before expanding. You can always add a second machine or a different size later.
Supplies from unknown third-party vendors. Stick with supplies from your machine's manufacturer. Nisha (community member) mentioned waste from magnets not fitting properly, and Abby (community member) confirmed that even a few millimeters of difference in supplies can prevent magnets from fitting in frames properly. Branded supplies are calibrated for your specific machine.
A commercial space. You can run this business from a kitchen table, a spare bedroom, or a closet. Dianne and her husband launched their store from home and were receiving orders within the first week.
Ready to Start?
You now know exactly what you need and what to skip. Here's where to go next.
Download the complete supply list with links, pricing, and recommended quantities in our free starter toolkit.
Compare the Titan Press and MPRO side by side on our machine comparison.
Run the numbers with our ROI calculator to see your break-even timeline at different investment levels.
Ask the community anything in our Facebook group — 17,000+ makers who've already figured out the supply puzzle.
The four essentials. That's all it takes to start. Everything else is optimization.