Magical Magnets History
When we started Original Works 30 years ago, before we created custom magnets, our first product was actually a note card.
However, not too long after that, we introduced a 4” x 5” laminated refrigerator magnet. The rest as they say, is history. In fact, our motto – painted on the wall of our corporate headquarters is –“A magnet on every refrigerator!” Creating quality custom magnets has been our mission ever since. 
The launch of our refrigerator magnet not only helped put our business on the map, but also formed the basis for our Preview Magnet (See Before You Buy) Program. In addition, it spawned several other products, including
- Magnetic calendars
- Magnet walls
- Mini-magnets
- Magnetic jewelry
- Magnet packages
- Magnetic Dry Erase Boards
…and the list goes on.
Over the years’ we have proudly produced millions of magnets, shipping them worldwide, and although we probably have not yet produced enough for every refrigerator out there, we are still going to keep trying.
Custom Magnets: The Process
The magnet process starts with the full color printing of each image. We typically print several images up on a single large sheet of paper. We then run these sheets through a roller machine equipped with a roll of lamination on one side and magnetic material on the other. This process sandwiches the artwork images between the magnetic and the lamination.
As the newly pressed magnetic sheets emerge from the roller, we cut them into smaller lengths. We feed these cut sheets through a special die cutter, which precisely cuts each image into the appropriate magnet size.
Finished magnets are sorted into FIFO (First In, First Out) order, bundled, and then binned with the rest of the school order.
The Result
Our magnets, like our other products, are shipped throughout the country and around the world. But perhaps more than any other product, the magnet seems to hold a special place in the hearts of our customers.
Each season we receive e-mails, letters, and photographs from past customers telling us how the magnet their child made when they were 5 years old is still hanging on their refrigerator 25 years later! Hearing that is so gratifying, and truly makes what we do every day feel even more worthwhile.
We hope you enjoyed this journey through our custom magnet process. Join us next week as we introduce you to our Make Department.
Learn more about Original Works people and processes:
If you are looking for high quality products for your school, church, or preschool fundraisers, order our free brochure and learn how Original Works fundraising programs can make your next fundraising project easy, fun, and profitable!
Please join us next week as we take a trip through our Make Department!