» posted on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 1:44 pm by ABM

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:

Get your button machine ready. (Note: these steps will work for button sizes 1.25″ and larger.)
Insert shell into one of the two rotating dies.
Place circular graphic face up on top of shell.
Place mylar on top of graphic.
Rotate dies.
Place pinned back pin-side down in other die.
Click your heels three times and say “abracadabra” while rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.
Pull handle towards you once.
Rotate dies.
Pull handle towards you once more.
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!