[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.

As seen in the video below, after the pinback button is designed and the button making supplies are gathered, they are placed in the two rotating dies on the button maker. The first die contains the button’s front shell, graphic, and protective clear plastic laminate (aka “mylar”). This die is then rotated into the press, which is pulled down to make the button front.

While the first die is still under the press, the pinback is placed in the second die, which is then rotated into the press. A second pull of the lever on the button maker will press the back of the button into the front, and the end result is a custom pinback button. The whole process is extremely simple and takes no more than 10 seconds, with the end result being a perfect pinback button.

(If the movie is not visible, follow the link to see how to make a custom DIY pinback badge button.)

With a button maker, it is easy to quickly produce a large number of buttons. These buttons have a number of applications, from promotional items for a small company, to novelty items for a school or church fundraiser.

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.

Step-by-step Instructions for Making a Versa-Back Button:

1. Get an appropriately-sized button machine from American Button Machines.
2. Slap yourself on the forehead if you were considering a different step for #1.
3. Insert the front shell graphic and mylar.
4. Rotate the dies of the button machine.
5. Insert the collet back.
6. Pull the button machine lever down once.
7. Rotate the dies again.
8. Pull the button machine lever yet again.
9. Now, before we get to the fun part, should your arm be tired from these two lever pulls (don’t worry, it won’t be…our machines are so easy to use!), take a quick break and watch this video of an adorable baby actually dancing with the stars.
10. Simply snap in the plastic-tabbed versa-back.
11. And here’s the fun part: add any of the versa-back options you wish! (Options include: key ring; split key ring; loop key ring; snap hook key ring; chain key ring; and C-hook key ring.)

Easy as pie and as versatile as casserole…

Okay, so perhaps “versatile as casserole” is a euphemism that needs some work before it could ever catch on, but you get the idea.

And now…for the final time in the ABM Video Series…watch the video! Learn how to make a versa-back button!

Video: How to Make Versa-Back Buttons

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:

1. Get a punch cutter!
2. If you ignored Step 1 above, take this opportunity to rectify that mistake and get a punch cutter!
3. Prepare a single-column strip of pre-made button graphics on your button paper of choice.
4. Insert your graphic strip into the punch cutter.
5. Center your graphic.
6. Push the punch cutter handle down.
7. For good luck, and to ensure proper cooperation by your punch cutter, say “higitus, figitus, zumba-kuh-zee!” (Why? Well, because it worked for this guy so why not?)
8. Move your strip to the next graphic and center it.
9. Repeat steps 6 & 7 simultaneously, then step 8 until all of your graphics have been cut.

Now, see for yourself!

Video: How To Align and Cut Button Graphics Using a Punch Cutter

[See post to watch Flash video]

And don’t forget to get your punch cutter from American Button Machines, where we have any size you could need.

Unless, of course, you are a magician like Merlin — in which case you can probably wave your wand and conjure up a few magic words to ***poof*** cut perfect, circular graphics — because then you wouldn’t need a punch cutter.

But if you’re not a magician, visit us and we promise to take good care of any button making need you may have.

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.

Here are the typical steps you will want to follow when producing buttons in bulk:

1. Prepare your circular button graphics using a button design software program, and then print as many as possible — neatly and evenly laid out — on pieces of the paper stock you are using.
2. Get a straight edge paper cutter ready for use.
3. Using the printed paper stock and straight edge cutter, slice your button design stock into even, single columnar strips.
4. Get your punch cutter ready.
5. Insert your graphic strip into the punch cutter…then punch! (Do so by centering your graphic and pushing the handle down.)
6. Remove the perfectly cut, circular, button-ready graphic and slide the strip up so the next one is centered. Repeat 5 & 6 until all are cut.

And, for the record, why is a punch cutter such a great tool for this type of job?

• Allows you to easily center and cut graphics.
• Self-sharpening with no blades required.
• Lifetime warranty!

Now, here is the video for all of the visual learners out there!

Video: How to Properly Prepare and Cut Circular Button Graphics

[See post to watch Flash video] ]]> http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-punch-cutter-circular-graphics-bulk-button-project/feed 0 http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-how-to-create-ponytail-holder-buttons http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-how-to-create-ponytail-holder-buttons#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:58:08 +0000 ABM http://www.american-button-machines.com/?p=692

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

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.

Fabric Button Making How-To Series:

1. Get started by choosing your fabric
2. The many varied uses of fabric-covered buttons
3. Making fabric-covered buttons with your own professional button machine
4. Using your button machine properly to make fabric buttons

Here are a few other useful fabric button resources:

• Monogrammed Buttons Offer a Solution for Embroidery Business Expansion in Three Easy Steps
• Button University Lesson 9: Fabric Button Machines and Systems
• Monogrammed Belt Buckles: Fun, Easy, and Inexpensive
• General fabric button machine info

And, of course, here is a link to our voluminous line of fabric button making products and supplies.

Now, without further adieu, we present to you the exciting world of fabric covered buttons!

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

[See post to watch Flash video] ]]> http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-tutorial-how-to-cut-circular-button-graphics-using-an-economy-circle-cutter/feed 0 http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-tutorial-how-to-make-a-pinback-button http://www.american-button-machines.com/video-tutorial-how-to-make-a-pinback-button#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:44:30 +0000 ABM http://www.american-button-machines.com/?p=674

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 down 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

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

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