That is really cute for a knitting friend! I don't have a snap press, but did borrow one when I made the bandana baby bibs.... the ones I used were plastic, they were very easy to apply, not sure the brand, you just set the snap pieces onto the gripper the correct way, and clamp down, and they are set to go. I did find the plastic snaps very stiff to open at first, so before I gifted the bibs I used my finger nails to open and shut them quite a few times to loosen them up.