How to Make a Custom DIY Pinback Badge Button

[Note: If you're thinking to yourself, "Hey! I've seen this post before!" you might be right. This post was originally published on December 3rd, 2008. We are cycling it back to the front of the blog so our new readers are made aware of it, as the content is no less relevant today. And besides, it's always good to review...]

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There are a wide variety of uses for pinback buttons. From political campaigns to novelty items, pinback buttons are everywhere. With a professional button maker, like the ones we offer, the process for making a custom pinback button is both quick and easy.

The first step in the process is designing the button and getting the supplies ready. Designs can be printed off from the computer and, after being cut out with a circle cutter, are ready to be pressed in the button maker.

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ABM Video Series: How to Make Versa-Back Buttons

It is with tearful eyes and a plaintive heart that I come to you today.

You may be wondering, why? How could one be immersed in the wonderful world of buttons and yet filled with and overwhelming sense of sadness?

Well I will tell you: we have now reached the end of our ABM Video Series.

I know, I know. Here, have one of these.

I realize that we all wanted the joy and inspiration of the video series to go on forever; but alas, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

So let’s all compose ourselves and give our full, undivided attention to the latest and great, the last but not the least, the fun final finale…yes, ladies and gentleman, the versa-back button.

More specifically, how to make one.

By now you know the drill. The video is embedded below and we have taken the liberty of also including step-by-step directions for you to follow. All of our machines and suggested procedures are simple and easy to follow, but we leave nothing to chance or to the imagination.

So enjoy embarking on your final journey in the ABM Video Series. We shall miss her once she’s gone, but just remember that you can always visit her again with this link.

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ABM Video How-To Series: Aligning and Cutting Button Graphics Using a Punch Cutter

What is as smooth as a butterfly’s flutter?
And as precise as Tiger Woods’ putter?
It slices paper like a hot knife through butter,
Ladies and gents, it’s our peerless punch cutter!

That’s right, we welcome you back to the ABM Video Series, where today we educate you on the simple process for lining up and cutting button graphics using a punch cutter.

Here are the steps, and you can follow along as you watch the video:

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ABM Video Series: How to Prepare and Cut Circular Button Graphics

Many times, button making projects involve the creation of bulk sums of buttons. Sure, every now and then you make 5-10 at a time for a small, specific purpose; but, most of the time you are making hundreds or even thousands of buttons and want to make sure that you are being as efficient as possible.

Today’s entry in the ABM Video Series aims to provide useful step-by-step info and a visual tutorial that will help you prepare circular button graphics when you are doing a bulk project.

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ABM Video Series: How to Create Ponytail Holder Buttons

As we continue our one-by-one journey through the tutorial videos that we have posted on our button making videos page, today’s video involves the creation of ponytail buttons.

The beautiful thing about making ponytail buttons is that the process for making them is very similar to the process for making any type of button, as you will see in the video below.

Here is the main difference: our ponytail kits include an eyelet that is easily inserted into the back of the button. This eyelet then allows you to easily add an elastic ponytail cord.

When you watch the video, you’ll see just how uncomplicated these additional steps are.

Follow the link for more information about purchasing our ponytail sets, which will allow you to start creating and customizing your own ponytail buttons today!

Video: How to Make Ponytail Buttons

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ABM Video Series: The Exciting World of Fabric Buttons!

As we continue with our button making video tutorial series, we take a quick break from the tutorials to celebrate the exciting world of fabric buttons.

And as you will see below, when set to a funky background beat, a montage of fabric buttons can be and is exciting!

Fabric buttons have been one of the most prominent topics that we have covered here at The Button Blog. Rather than try to re-invent the wheel or regurgitate old information, we will provide you with the links to our fabric button tutorial series, plus some other useful resources to help you in your fabric button endeavors.

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ABM Video Series: How to Cut Circular Button Graphics Using an Economy Circle Cutter

Welcome back to the ABM Video Series!

Today’s video tutorial is a very simple one, and shows you how to cut out circular button graphics using American Button Machines’ econo circle cutter.

The econo circle cutter differs from our other circle cutters by obviously being less expensive. Still, it cuts perfect circles and is adjustable from 2 inches to 7 1/4 inches. And while it’s perfect for preparing graphics for button making, it will work well for any type of circular cut you need to make with paper.

Here are the quick and easy steps:

• Create a sheet of paper with as many of your circular graphics on it as will fit.
• Adjust the econo circle cutter to the appropriate size.
• Line the econo circle cutter up on the graphic you are preparing to cut.
• Place your hand on top of the cutter to hold it in place.
• Rotate the handle at the base of the econo circle cutter to quickly, accurately, and easily cut out a perfectly circular graphic.
• Make some buttons!

And, of course, don’t forget the most important step in the econo circle cutter usage process: get one!

Here is your short and sweet video tutorial:

Video: How to Cut Button Graphics Using an Economy Circle Cutter

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ABM Video Series: How to Make a Pinback Button

In this, the fourth installment of our ABM Video Series, we are going to show you just how ridiculously easy it is to make a pinback button.

And when we say easy, we don’t just mean simple…we also mean quick.

Would you believe me if I told you the total time it takes to make a professional pinback button is less than 10 seconds?

It’s true. The video evidence that proves this claim awaits you at the end of this post.

But first, a quick outline of the steps:

1. Get your button machine ready. (Note: these steps will work for button sizes 1.25″ and larger.)
2. Insert shell into one of the two rotating dies.
3. Place circular graphic face up on top of shell.
4. Place mylar on top of graphic.
5. Rotate dies.
6. Place pinned back pin-side up in other die.
7. Click your heels three times and say “abracadabra” while rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.
8. Pull handle towards you once.
9. Rotate dies.
10. Pull handle towards you once more.
11. Remove completed pinback button from die and admire your amazing craftsmanship!

Quick pop-quiz: one of the above 11 steps is actually not a necessary step for creating pinback buttons (but is, however, something fun and perhaps even challenging to try!).

If you’re having trouble with the pop-quiz question, just watch the video below. You’ll see that the entire process takes less than 10 seconds, and here’s a hint: there is no magic required.

Just you, a few supplies, and an ABM button maker!

Video: How to Make a Pinback Button

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ABM Video Series: How to Operate a High Volume Die Cutting Press

Welcome to the third installment of our video series. We’re happy to have you back! Previously, we described and showed you videos on how to make a one inch button and how to use an adjustable circle cutter to cut out an individual graphic for a single button.

Now, the question you may be asking yourself after watching those two videos is, what do I do if I want to make a whole bunch of buttons? Do I have to use the adjustable circle cutter to cut out each graphic individually?

And the answer, of course, would be no. To be more specific, the answer is the high volume die cutting press that we offer at American Button Machines.

You can see how easy the press is to use in the video below. Before we get to that though, here are a few of the features that make it such a fine button making product:

• Cuts up to 50 individual button graphics at a time.
• Ruggedly built structural steel and industrial grade aluminum construction.
• Ergonomically designed to allow for smooth, easy operation.
• Works for left-hand, right-hand, and two-hand operation.
• The cutting board keeps the sharp edges of the cutting die from coming into contact with the metal surface.

And there are plenty of others features as well.  Follow the link to learn more about the high volume die cutting press or to purchase one.

Below, you will see how easy it is to operate:

Video: How to Operate a High Volume Die Cutting Press

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ABM Video Series: How to Cut Circular Button Graphics Using an Adjustable Rotary Circle Cutter

We began our video series with a quick tutorial showing you how easy it is to use a button machine to make a button. Video #2 in the series is going to show you just how easy it is to create perfectly circular graphics for your buttons using our adjustable rotary circle cutter.

Before we get to the video, a few quick highlights about the adjustable circle cutter:

• Each adjustable circle cutter has five different pre-set stops for the most popular buttons sizes (1″, 1.5″, 2.25″, 3″, 3.5″).
• You also have the flexibility to adjust to any special size for custom cuts.
• The edges are knurled, which allows the cutter to grip paper and fabric for easier, more stable cutting.
• The top-mounted, quick-release knob allows for fully adjustable incremental cuts.
• And, most importantly, if it were any easier to use all you would have to do is think about your graphic being perfectly cut out…and it would be!
• Visit our main website to learn more about and purchase our adjustable circle cutter.

Want to see how easy you can cut out perfectly circular graphics for your next button? Click play…and don’t blink!  (You’ll miss it…it’s that easy!)

Video: How to Cut Circular Button Graphics Using an Adjustable Rotary Circle Cutter

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