Introducing the ABM Design Marketplace!

It’s here! It’s here!  It’s finally here!!

Last week we told you about our latest project, a digital graphic marketplace dedicated specifically for button makers.

Have you ever wanted to use images you found on the internet to make a button? You can experience all kinds of problems with fuzzy images, sizing issues and lets not forget those pesky copyright issues.  Yep as I’m sure you know, just because an imaget is on the internet does not give you license to use it.

Well we have a solution, The ABM Design Marketplace.  Now these are not all our images, nope we are teaming up with talented artists across the globe to bring you themed collages for your button making pleasure.

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What We’re Working On: Digital Collage Sheets for 1”, 1.25”, 1.5” and 2.25” Buttons

We’re excited to tell you about our latest project and we think you’ll be just as excited as we are.

Are you “artistically challenged” at times? Have you ever wanted to use someone else’s spectacular artwork to make a button? Sometimes you can accomplish this task easily. Other times, though, you have trouble with designs and sizing.

Well, we’re excited to tell you we have found the solution!  We are in the midst of creating an awesome new product – digital collage sheets specially designed for button makers!  AKA downloadable collage sheets. Continue reading

Free Button Making Software

People are always asking us is it really that easy to make a pinback button? The quick answer is, absolutely! The next question is, where can I get free button making software? The most challenging thing to accomplish when making a button is designing the artwork, everything else is a piece of cake! If you want to design a pinback button on a computer, then you need some sort of graphic design software. People are always looking for free button making software that works well and is simple to use.

Update: Speaking of button making software that works well and is simple to use, make sure you check out the Build-a-Button Online Design Center, developed and managed by ABM!

There are some different choices you can make for free button making software like Gimp, however we believe in the old adage, you get what you pay for.  While Gimp is free and works for many people, it can be challenging to set up and use for a novice. This being said, if it is challenging to learn, you might as well spend a little money on Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw as these are professional software packages that do not have the problems you might encounter with free button making software such as glitches and printer driver issues.

If you are familiar with Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw, then you already have the button making battle won. Adobe Photoshop is the primary market leader for graphics, however we find Corel Draw much easier to work with for most people as it seems to be more user friendly for non-graphically minded individuals. You can buy a scaled down version of Adobe Photoshop called Photoshop Elements for about $100 and it will probably do everything you need in the Button-World. Adobe Photoshop does have a long learning curve. However once it is mastered your imagination is the only limit to creating incredible graphics.

Update: Since writing this post, ABM has made it even easier for you to create button graphics on your computer using Photoshop and Corel.

First of all, you can take advantage of special deals for Photoshop that Adobe has made available through us. Click on the following link to save $20 to $30 on NEW Adobe Elements 8 products with mail-in rebate. (Exp 10/31/2010).

In addition, we have created video tutorials and free Photoshop templates for a variety of sizes to make your Photoshop experience even easier.

[Note: Corel video and templates coming soon.]

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