If a 1″ pinback button were to be taken apart could the shell and Collet be re-used again.
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Re-using Pin Materials.
mario
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Image Upload Question – I am trying to m…
lanastasio
Image Upload Question – I am trying to make a button with a couple layers of images that overlap. The images are png files and have transparent backgrounds that work in other programs but have a white box around them in the button building software. Any suggestions??
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Hey folks! I just ordered my 1st button …
EclecticAims
Hey folks! I just ordered my 1st button machine today, woo hoo! I’m so excited for it to get here & get started! I am wanting to download the 1″ button template, & I want to use it in Microsoft Publisher. Does anyone know which file format I need to download the template in?! Thanks in advance!
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personalizeyouritems
Congrats. I only use corel so I am not sure, I have never actually used a template, (might be easier, not sure) I just use a circle and powerclip my image into it and delete the outline so it does not show on the button. Lots of useful info on here. Welcome to the forum
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Jean W
Congratulations! I have not downloaded the template in a long time. I think I just printed it out and made my own from that. I’m sure someone will help you with the template download.
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EclecticAims
Thanks for the replies
The .pdf 1″ template says what diameter are needed for 2 circles, so I just re-created that in publisher. As soon as my new printer arrives I will test it out & see if I did it right.
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What is the easiest way to send button f…
Jim
What is the easiest way to send button files on the internet? I sent my button design files from the build a button program to freinds as email attachments. The files don’t open easily, only one person was able to see the button designs using microsoft paint. Is there a way to make them open easily? Sorry for all the questions, I’m going to wear you guys out.
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Joyce
I don’t know how the button program works but almost everyone has a PDF reader set up on their computers can you send it that way?. Perhaps you can save the file as a jpeg, that is how most of my purchased images come.
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Jim
My son figured it out for me and you’re right. It won’t go as a pdf file put it will go as a jpeg. The sent files will not be sized correctly for the button maker for some reason but they can be looked at. Open it in Microsoft paint, and save it there as a jpeg and then send it as an attacment.
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Hi, I’ve been trying different papers s…
kspfla
Hi,
I’ve been trying different papers since buying my button machine a few weeks ago, but in general I’m not pleased with the results. Since true photo paper can’t be used (2.25″ graphic punch), what paper is good to use for sharp graphics/images?
There’s a reference in a recent thread about using matte everyday photo paper. So some photo types of paper are okay? If so, which ones?
I tried different papers, including 28 lb HP Color Laser paper for the laser printer (also tried heavier 32 lb. “presentation” paper, but didn’t like the results), and 24 lb premium bright white paper for an inkjet printer.
Any suggestions would really be appreciated.
Thanks!
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Jean W
You have a laser printer? You should not use inkjet paper in a laser, its not good for the laser printer. Personally, I would make sure you have as bright a paper as you can (98 or 100). I would not go to heavy, maybe a 24 lb paper. Also, check your settings on your printer and make sure you are printing in best. This will use more toner, but will give you the best print. Depending on the resolution. I have a Minolta Magicolor and it has 3 settings. I never use the lowest, but I usually use 1200 x 600 and can go as high as 2400 x 600, but seldom do. I don’t see a big difference between the two.
Mainly make sure you are using laser paper that is nice and bright.I hope this helps.
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kspfla
Thanks for your reply. Sorry, I wasn’t clear… running on too little sleep lately. I have both a laser printer and an inkjet printer, so was trying both to see which would produce the best results. I do use the best settings – maybe the paper brightness is the problem, as I think the 32 lb paper isn’t as bright as the 24 lb paper. It just seems like the metal is showing through a bit and lessening the quality. I’d like to try 100% bright, but so far haven’t been able to find any around here.
Thanks!
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nyanko chan
I have 1.25” button machine. I use 24 lbs. bright white (98) ink jet papers for all my button design print outs (my main printer is an ink jet). I think anything over 28 lbs. would start to produce no good buttons at alarming rates due to being too thick.
Before trying other types of papers (boy do I wish I could just buy some sample leaflets before the decision… I have reams of papers I’m using for invoices, labels, etc…. LOL), make sure you are working on your designs on high resolution. It is generally recommended that 300 dpi for any print media. Lower resolution looks fine on the screen, but they are like pixelized picture and would not produce sharp images no matter how good the printer is (it is like trying to develop a sharp/clean photo with blurry negative).
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kspfla
For the laser printer, I think the 98 brightness and 24 lb is what I’ll use. Most photos I tried seemed to do okay with that since they covered the entire surface.
On the inkjet, I’ll try the HP everyday photo paper recommended, and then compare quality between the two. I’m hoping the photo paper will give better results – sounds like it should.
Thanks!
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Jillybean
I use HP everyday photo paper with the matte finish (C7007A) recommended by Joyce. You probably saw that thread. I have an inkjet printer and could not find 100% bright paper either. I wanted to hang onto my gloss thin photo paper, but it was still too thick. I love the results I am getting with the HP everyday photo paper.
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kspfla
Thanks for the information. I ordered the HP everyday photo paper on the HP website after work and hopefully will have it Monday or Tuesday. I can’t wait to try it!
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Just got my button machine package, and …
Jim
Just got my button machine package, and am having fun making buttons witht the on line build a button program. So far I’m not happy with the printed button copy. I think most of the backgrounds are Ok in quality, but the letter printing quality is very weak and hard to read on the buttons and needs to be much bolder. I’m looking for ways to correct this problem. Basically I save the buttons in my pictures file and use the microsoft paint program to pull them up. I think the designing aspect of build a button is terrifc, but I just need to bring the quality up somehow. The buttons look great on the computer but not so great when printed up. Maybe it’s a printer problem. Any ideas?
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personalizeyouritems
I have never used the program but watched the video, isn’ t there a way to make the letters bigger and bolder in the program. Have you tried printing other things (one of your own files) on the printer to see if you get the same results? maybe it is the printer, I would print something you have done before and know prints well and then that would narrow it down a little
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Jim
What do you use when designing buttons? I’ve tried your suggestion of printing other items, and am not real impressed with the quality there either. So a new printer may help. I’m gonna to try to get some tech savvy person to look things over and see what’s needed to make the buttons as good as possible. Perhaps a button designing program that’s not over the internet would be better too.
Any suggestions on printers or programs would be appreciated. I want to develop the ability to make very high quality buttons. I know this will take time to work through though.-
Joyce
did you set your printer “preferences” on high (or best or whatever term your printer uses), I think most printers are automatically set for ink conservation. Also I have found the paper you use is very important, do you have a ink jet printer? Make sure you use paper made for it. I use matte everyday photo paper.
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Jim
I tried glossy printer paper and the ink didn’t dry well on it, but I’ll try the matte as you suggested. My printer is an old brother ink jet fax combo, I was looking for settings on it but have not found any that made any difference. I’m looking for a new printer ,but none of them in the store are really hooked up to see how well they work. Anyway,I’m going to take my time and get the best one I can
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personalizeyouritems
I just design my buttons in Corel since that is what I use for everything we print. I am not sure that is any help but that is all we use. I use a laser printer, did away with all my inkjets,(still have a couple but out of ink so I never use them)
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Joyce
usually when you hit the print button a window comes up with the printer information. Gloss paper is too thick for buttons (I know from experience LOL) sounds like your “ole betsy” is getting tired.
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Jean W
If you are making regular buttons and the mylar, I would not use glossy paper. The mylar cover will make everything glossy. Check your printer settings as Joyce suggested.
You could compare printers on the internet and find out as much info as you can there. I would also check the cost of the replacement inks. Sometimes a cheep printer is cheep because the ink is expensive. I personally have a laser printer and I love it. Nothing ever smears.
Good luck and let us know what happens
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ABM
Some fonts have a bold option and others do not. To help make the text stand out, you should pick a color that contrasts with the background. Also, you can use the text outline feature to enhance the text even further.
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ABM
FYI, our Build-a-Button program saves graphics in high quality 300 dpi images. This is the same quality that you can get from professional software packages like Photoshop and Corel Draw. Here is a link to an article we wrote on free button making software. It describes the different button making software taht is available. Hope this helps!
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Jim
Thanks for all the information. Lots to work on. My Button quality is already getting better with the equipment I have, and I think a new printer will improve things greatly.
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Jim
One more question. I would eventually like to make buttons on site without the internet. If I bought the Button Builder software mentioned on your link above, Will the design CD’s that came with my order work with that software?
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I have a request from a new customer, bu…
Jillybean
I have a request from a new customer, but I have no clue how to do what she is asking. Hoping maybe one of you might know how. She wants to me to make 1″ covered button necklaces, but she does not want me to use a bail on the back of the buttons. She said she has seen them with a split ring attached to the back. The button was a metal back one. How would you attach a split ring to the back of a metal back button?
The only two options I could think of was either use a super strong glue and glue it on, but have no clue if there is even a strong enough glue out there to do that. My other thought was maybe two holes were punched in the back and the split ring was attached that way (if that makes sense).
Any ideas?
Thanks!
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ABM
If it is a flatback, you could glue a round disc to the back that has a hole in the top of the disc where you can insert a mini split-ring. Kind of like our cell phone charms: http://stores.americanbuttonmachines.com/Detail.bok?no=438 Although I am not sure it would lay properly when you wear it.
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Jillybean
Thanks for the idea! I agree with you though that it might not lay properly. I can’t test that because I do not have those round discs, but so far everything I tried it does not lay properly. I sent her an email asking why she does not want a bail on the back. I also sent her pics with the necklace made with a bail so she could see what it looks like. It will be interesting to see what she says
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crazy question here but don’t know the …
bethm
crazy question here but don’t know the answer! One of my husband’s relatives is a teacher in Greece. She wants me to make her some flat back buttons for some projects. She asked me what the backs were made of to see what glue to use to attach to ribbons, lunch boxes etc. I didn’t know the answer. I contacted ABM but have not received a reply. Do you guys know? What type metal is our buttons made of??? thanks so much!
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personalizeyouritems
I am not sure myself, just ordered some and they will be here Wed. Just give them a call, they answer the phones faster than they check the forums:) I always get an answer when I call.
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Joyce
two different kinds for the 1 inch, plastic and metal. I use the plastic kind so I can punch holes for earrings. I use special hot glue made for jewelry. That stuff holds tight!
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bethm
thanks Joyce, she wants to know what KIND of metal. Any idea? I don’t know tin from aluminum from iron LOL
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ABM
Hello all, our button supplies are made of tin coated steel.
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Just ordered 2 more button machines, can…
personalizeyouritems
Just ordered 2 more button machines, cannot wait to get them:)
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Joyce
congrats!
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personalizeyouritems
Thanks, now I have the 1, 1.25, 2.25 and the 3.5:)
so many things to do with buttons.-
Jean W
WOW…Contragulations!
I started with the 2.25″ and last year ordered the 3″ making my total of 3 machines. Do you have a website? I would love to see how you list your items.
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Jean W
Oops…2 machines for me, not 3! Can’t count. he he
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personalizeyouritems
I have a website for my personalized items but the funny thing is I do not have any of the button items on there yet. I am hoping to add a bunch of stuff this week. It just takes a while to add everything. I have so many engraved items to add as well as embroidered items, it just takes a while to list them all but as soon as I get the new machines on Wed I am taking pics and getting some of the button items on there. I have not really pushed the buttons even though I have had 2 of the machines for quite a while, I just do them when people ask:) it is http://www.personalizeyouritems.com
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Jean W
You have a very nice looking site! Do you do the engravings your self? Let us know when you add the buttons. I understand totally the time it takes to get everything in.
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personalizeyouritems
Hi Jean, Thank you,
yes we do our own engraving. Will have the machines tomorrow so hoping to have them on there by the end of the week.
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bethm
I have the 1.25″ and will be getting a second machine next month for my b-day gift from hubby. I’m driving myself crazy trying to figure out which one to get. I love making jewelry, ponytail holders etc. so will probably get the 1″ machine. Which size is your favorite? (it’s addicting huh!). Oh & my 3 year old got the “kiddie” version from Santa lol
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personalizeyouritems
They are addicting, my husband love making buttons as well. Does the 3 year old like making buttons? We have had really good success with the 2.25 and the 3.5 but wanted the smaller machines for making the smaller items that I cannot do with the larger ones. I do about the same on both machines as far as how many of each size. I know that does not help a lot but that is the best I have:).
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Any good sales tips for selling at marke…
mazz
Any good sales tips for selling at markets?
Much appreciated and wonderful to be part of this forum-
personalizeyouritems
What kind of markets? will you be taking the photos of people or pets on the spot or just taking stock buttons?
We used to do some festivals but have gotten away with that since we have the online and store front now, took up too many weekends:) but if this is what you are doing I wish you the best. We would take our computer and printer and take the photos of the queens, kids whatever it happened to be and then we would print them out and make the buttons. We took the computer and printer because I liked being able to work in corel. I am sure other people have different methods that they use but that is what worked for us. -
Joyce
have a partner, accept credit cards, make sure you have price amounts everywhere, have fun. google craft fair hints and you will find all sorts of helpful advice and even items to bring.
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Jean W
I only use my website for advertising. I’m with personalizedyouritems with craft fairs. I did do them when I was younger. Enjoyed them a lot and the people you meet are great. Just don’t have that kind of time any more. For starting out, you might want to try both craft fairs as well as a website. Also look into consignment, not sure if that would work for you, but worth checking out.
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Joyce 8:08 am on February 5, 2012 Permalink |
no, button parts are one shot items.