What is your experience selling on Etsy.com There appeares to be a lot of sellers is anyone buying?
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Lin
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Fabric Button Making Machines
MsCutecumber
I love the fabric pocket mirror. I am just about to get the machine. However does anyone know could the 225 fabric button making machine be used to make paper button in smaller size such as 1″ or 1 1/2″? Thank you.
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buttonman
I don’t think so. you would need a machine for each size you want to make.
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ABM
When you get into Professional grade fabric button making machines like ours, each button maker is made to produce a specific single size.
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Button Making Business
Jean W
Hi all,
How is every ones business doing? How are you promoting your button business? Lets toss some ideas out there.
For me, I depend on my website. Button are slow right now and I would really like to get them moving. Whats working for you?
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buttonman
I am following the fads. like a MJ memorial button and buttons for MLM dealers like Fuller Brush and Avon and others. I did some buttons for the Coke-Cola store polar bear out here. they let me take some shots of him and I made buttons for the employees.
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EllenB
I like to make fabric buttons and sell them on Etsy.com. I am also fortunate to have a great little salesperson at home. My daughter took a pocket mirror to school and when her friends saw it, they all wanted one! I have not tried to sell at a crafting show yet, but I am going to start researching what is in my area.
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nyanko chan
Twitter seems to bring traffic. Of course, it doesn’t mean more sales, but I’d have to assume more the viewers, more the sales.
I have my own website along with several venues including Etsy, and every time I tweet, I get more sales (not huge but I see the slight increase).
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Jean W
Bringing in traffic is the key to more sales.
I have a Twitter account as well as Face Book. Just not sure how to use them for advertising. Can you give a few suggestions??
Thanks
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Cheap Circle Cutter
zestee
Cheap alternative to that expensive graphic punch??
Hey everyone, I just bought a 1.25″ button press and I’m super excited. The machine set me back $250, which I was glad to pay after wanting one for so long. But I can’t bring myself to buy the graphic punch, which retails for about $150. It looks so handy, and I’ve seen it in action, but it seems ridiculously overpriced. I’ve had experience with buttons before, and cutting out 400 circles by hand (to give to my friend to punch) was definitely not fun. I can’t help but wonder if there’s a cheaper alternative out there. I read from a blog that I can no longer find that there are scrapbooking punches that work well for buttonmaking, particularly the Whale-Of-A-Punch by EK Paper Shapers (http://www.createforless.com/InterchangeData/images/2/2002/1029/2007051713515612002-1029-0055.jpg) (another style: http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/EK-Success-Paper-Shapers/3952664/product.html)
I’d much rather pay $12-$22 for an oversized hole-punch. I’ve tried looking up this topic, but I can’t find anyone else discussing it. If you look at this angle http://cdn2.overstock.com/images/products/3/P11379462.jpg of a scallop-shaped Whale-Of-A-Punch you can see there is some room to look at the area of the paper you’re punching, I can only imagine that you might have difficulty seeing the ‘mouth’ end of the punch area, after all, it wasn’t designed for extreme precision in mind. I wish these were at my craft store so I could decide whether this is worth buying by eye, but I can only observe and order these online. Has anyone had any experience with these?
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Joyce
I purchased at Hobby Lobby a 1.25″ circle punch used by scrapbookers. I can see and line up my images perfectly by turning the punch upside down also the size is perfect for 1″ buttons. I do own the circular cutter and use it for 2.25″ buttons but for the smaller ones the punch works perfectly.
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nyanko chan
I own a 1.25” button machine as well, and like you I got the machine first without the punch. I looked high and low for a cheaper alternative punch (mainly scrapbooking punches), however, I wasn’t able to find that cuts marginally good for 1.25” button templates (what you need to look for is 1-5/8” round punch).
If you are going to make dozens of buttons daily, I think it may be much better for you to spend the money and get the graphic punch. The day I received my GP, I literally wanted to slap myself for not getting it sooner.
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ABM
Great thread on using the correct sized circle cutter. FYI, if you are using a hobby styled circle cutter just make sure that the circle you cut out is the same size as your plastic myar so the button machine can crimp properly all around the edge of your button.
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buttonman
I have seen those at joannas and michaels.
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Jean W
I love my button punch. I can punch 5 buttons at a time. I also have the circle cutter and find it more difficult and you can only cut one button at time with the circle cutter. I would go for the punch even for a smaller operation and there is always the electric cutter for the bigger jobs. It will be a long time before I upgrade to the electric one.
I also don’t think the scrap type punches will hold up to hundreds of punches. Just my 2 cents here.
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buttonman
no the blades are not made for this use. reminds me of BAMS Cut-A-Circles. blades are only good for like less than 100 cuts. I guess thats how they get you, you need a box of extra blades.
(Editor’s Note: For clarification, Cut-a-Circle circle cutters are made by another manufacturer called badge-a-minit, BAM for short).
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Joyce
I don’t think my hand would hold up to hundreds of punches LOL!
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Zestee
Thanks for all your advice! I was considering this: http://store.scrapbook.com/f-7424.html they punch 1.5″ sadly, which may be pushing it for the 1.6″ size needed for 1.25″ buttons. I hadn’t considered how the blade would wear down on a cheap craft punch.
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Printing on Mylar Has anyone tried print...
Lin
Printing on Mylar
Has anyone tried printing on the underside of mylar, if so how do you reverse the print. I want to use wrapping paper as my background and print the words on the Mylar but on the backside. Anyone tried it.-
Strat
I haven’t tried it on buttons, but it should be easy enough to do. Depending on what type printer you have, you would need either ink jet or laser transparency film to print on and a graphics program such as Corel Draw or Photoshop that has a mirror image feature so you can print your image in reverse.
Hope this helps!
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Lin
Thanks, the word “Flip” was the key. I found that I can acomplish what I had in mind using Microsoft Word -Word Art and the flip key then print on mylar and cut my circles. I want to try the Wedding Id buttons using wedding wrapping paper as the background and the names of the members of the wedding party printed on the inside of the Mylar. I’m open for other suggestions. This appears to be a good way to have great backgrounds without the large use of ink. This Forum is Great Thank you again
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ABM
I am glad you found the information you were looking for on our Forum. We are proud to have so many good button makers out there willing to assist others with great ideas! On a side note, if you want to send us a picture of your finished buttons, we are happy to publish them on our blog under our Customer Spotlight section and give you some free press and a link to your website where people can buy your buttons.
Happy Button Making!
ABM
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nyanko chan
Just curious. How exactly do you print on the mylar? Do you have mylar sheets or use the transparency films as Strat suggested?
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I have an old button maker
Tina
Hi all, I have an old button maker( at least 10 years old) with no name on it. I can’t remember where I got it.It’s all black cast iron. It has a top die, ring die, crimping die and a base die. on the base it has 2 1/3 stamped on it. I think it might be a badge a mint but not sure. I want to make some badges for Easter but I don’t know what size shell, mylar or back to order. If someone can help me that would be great.
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buttonman
do you have a picture of it? BAM never made a 2 1/3 machine. only a 2 1/4. I think. and I don’t think they ever used cast iron either. look on the bottom of it.
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Tina
No I don’t have a picture of it. I looked it all over and there are no marking of any kind on it. On the box it just says AC33.
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buttonman
hmm, you are going to have to find out what it is. american machines use stock parts, but a overseas made machine uses metric size parts. other size you will have to contact all the button parts makers and get samples to try in it. are you sure it is all iron? frame and dies? are the dies on a turning plate or are they fixed only for up and down. below the botton die is there a lever? with a picture at least you could send it to different makers to see if they know who built it. also watch ebay for pictures of the older presses.
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ABM
A picture is worth a thousand words
If you can send us a picture of your button machine, we will try and identify for you.
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Jean W
Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope all of you are looking forward to a wonderful 2010 New Year!
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Mylar: 0.002” vs. 0.003” Aside from the...
nyanko chan
Mylar: 0.002” vs. 0.003”
Aside from the obvious thickness difference, what other things are different between 0.002” mylars and 0.003” mylars?
I’m mainly interested in:
- The glossy-ness of final product (button)
- The look of final product: do they look the same? If not, which looks better?
- Durability: does the thicker mylar protect button design better?Basically, I’d like to know if they both produce the indistinguishable buttons.
BTW, I just registered today but been visiting the forum for awhile. I’d like to thank ABM for creating this forum. I’ve seen many blogs and tutorials before, but this is the first forum I’ve encountered and it’s FANTASTIC!!
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buttonman
I have BAM die presses and use both BAM parts and US button parts and I don’t really see any real difference. I did learn that the brightness level of the paper matters thou. I went from 92 brightness to 98 brightness paper and it makes the photo buttons really pop.
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ABM
Changing mylar thickness can make a difference as for as crimping properly, but the durability should be the same. Most button machines we know of use a .003″ mylar. If you move to a thinner .002 mylar your crimp may not be as tight around the button, or it may not crimp at all depending on the button machine you are using. You might have to use a thicker paper to make up the difference in thickness if you are using a thin mylar. Be careful looking at cheaper off-brands as their mylar can be color tinted and not as clear as they should be.
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nyanko chan
Thanks for the kind replies.
@buttonman: you are absolutely correct about the brightness of paper. I think 97 is the absolute minimum for buttons, especially for white background ones.
@ABM: thank you for the detailed explanation. I was considering 0.002” mylar in order to use presentation papers. They are usually over 100 brightness but are thicker/heavier.
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Best Button Making Software
BButton
I am looking for the best button making software for my new button business. What do you guys think is the best software to use? I see your button templates online but do not know what software to use with them. Is there any free button making software downloads you know of that I can try before buying? Thank you!
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Jean W
There is a lot of software out there. ABM has some great artwork offered on their home page, scroll down to the bottom at: http://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/
Personally, I like to make my own to match what a customer wants. I use a cheep older program (PrintMaster) only because I’m used to it and works for me. So use what ever program you like and make your own. Make your template to show where to keep your artwork inside at and where the cut needs to be (2 circles). I am also a member of “Clip Art” http://www.clipart.com/en/ This way if a customer requests a specific design, I can make almost anything they want.
There is also a lot of places that offer artwork on the internet. For a start I suggest picking up the designs CD offered here at ABM. Good starting point.
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buttonman
I use and like Button Builder.
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ABM
So what is the best software package to use for making buttons? You have several options to choose from depending on your computer skills and pocketbook. We have put together some information that includes everything from free software for making buttons to the best button making software available on the market today.
We offer Button Builder software on our website. What is nice about Button Builder is it is very easy to use and you do not have to create your own button templates as the software does it for you. The software only works for 1.25″, 2.25″ and 3″ buttons.
We prefer Corel Draw for making professional buttons. You can download a free copy from their website and try it before you buy it. You do need some advanced computer skills to work with the application, but it is a very intuitive software package and works great for button making.
You can download Free Button Making Software from the Open Office website. We have published a series of free button making templates and a how-to video on our Button Blog that will get you started in the right direction. You still need some computer skills to work with the application. In our opinion, Open Office is not as good as Corel Draw, but it is free and that is a great alternative to spending cash!
Many people already own Print Shop as it is relatively inexpensive and can be found in most computer stores. We have also developed a how to make a button video and free button making templates for the Print Master software package at the Button Blog.
Of course if you have advanced computer skills or the time to learn an in-depth application then you might try Photoshop. It is the number one graphic software package available today. It does have a long learning curve but once you know how to use it, you can create pretty much anything you want. We do offer a how-to video, free Photoshop button templates and a link to a purchase rebate at the Button Blog to help you get started.
No matter what your requirements are one of these button making software packages should fit the bill perfectly and hopefully be the best button making software to fit your specific needs.
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nyanko chan
I use Gimp. You could consider Gimp as an open source equivalent of Photoshop. You could do everything and anything your heart and brain desire. However, it takes a while to learn how to use it in its full potential, but I don’t regret sticking with it.
Whatever you choose, I wish you good luck, and if you decided to use commercially available button software (button builder is the only one I know), be sure to check out Gimp (it’s open source, so it’s free). You could learn how to use Gimp while making buttons with button software. And later when you feel the limitation of button software, you could transit to better software smoothly.
PS: I learn how to use Gimp by viewing and reading countless Gimp and Photoshop (they are very similar) tutorials.
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Adding Jean Rivet Will the button machin...
vlcortese
Adding Jean Rivet
Will the button machine allow something like a jean rivet to be inserted in the back of the button? I am trying to make a wrist lanyard key chain. The concept places a fabric covered monogram on the top of the button, the back of the button is also fabric covered; the wrist lanyard is riveted to the back side of the button?-
ABM
I think you can accomplish this by using one of our Ponytail Sets with a center hole in the back. Depending on the size of the rivet, you should be able to place your rivet through the hole in the back of the button.
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buttonman
Jean Rivet, I think I knew her from high school.
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Ideab
I would like too take some time too thank the active members for doing what you do and make this community great im a long time reader and first time poster so i just wanted to say thanks.
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buttonman 3:10 pm on January 26, 2010 Permalink |
It depends if your item is unique. make something no one else has.
course, if it becomes a hit, 5000 people will duplicate your item.
nyanko chan 11:40 pm on January 28, 2010 Permalink |
I sell on Etsy. There are so many button makers on Etsy. Plus I see increased number of button sellers recently (possibly migrating from eBa*).
I am also a transplantee from eBa* (thou I migrated long time ago). It’s little bit different from eBa* in a way you need to have more unique and original designs rather than popular cultures. But I know there are many buyers and lookers.
In short, yes people are buying buttons on Etsy. But do remember people (sellers and buyers) are more focused on crafty-ness and uniqueness.
Jill @ Barrel of Monkeys 9:33 am on February 5, 2010 Permalink |
I sell very well on Etsy. Take a peek:
http://www.barrelofmonkeys.etsy.com
Almost all of my buttons are my original designs – I’m a graphic designer by day and a button maker by night!
buttonman 11:39 pm on February 6, 2010 Permalink |
I have a idea, sell a special fuzzy tiny spider on there.
you can call it, the etsy bitsy spider!