2.25" Button Maker Kit
What Customers Are Saying
First Machine, Fast StartThe machine is very solid and I believe it Will hold for many years of button making. Was able to make good quality buttons within an hour of unboxing.
- Junior High Marketing Class
I use the button machines for a marketing unit at a junior high. Last year I started with 1 machine, then purchased 2 more, now I am up to 5 total. My kids love to create and make buttons.
- High-Volume First Run
Super Super Easy buttom maker to use and we did 350 buttons within just a couple of hours of opening the machine for the very first time.
- Growing Button Seller
When I purchased my first ABM 1.5”kit last fall, I told myself that was it, one is enough. I was wrong...one is NOT enough! I just purchased my second ABM kit (2.25”) and have already made and sold this size.
- High School Makerspace
I was excited to add this popular size of button maker to our high school's makerspace. It is easy to use and we are glad to have another quality button maker from ABM.
The 2.25" Button Maker Kit is the complete starter system for the size most people picture when they hear the word "button" — the 2.25-inch round face that fits a clear photo, a readable line of text, or a campaign slogan that can actually be read from across a room. Each kit ships with the all-metal 2.25" Button Maker press (Model 225), your choice of paper cutter, your choice of pinback button quantity (250, 500, or 1,000 complete sets), 3 months of Build-a-Button design software access, and a free Button design library — all backed by lifetime, U.S.-based phone support.
The 2.25" size is our most-shipped kit, and the workhorse behind school spirit days, library makerspaces, church VBS programs, summer-camp keepsakes, photographer event swag, real-estate farming, political campaign buttons, fundraising drives, and small-batch Etsy production. If you're starting a button program from zero, this is the kit to start it with.
What's in the Box
- 2.25" Button Maker Press (Model 225, all-metal cam-on-roller construction, USA-built)
- Your choice of paper cutter — either the Adjustable Circle Cutter (the "Good" tier, hand-trim with templates) or the 2.25" Professional Graphic Punch, Model 2625 (the "Best" tier, single-stroke punch with no exposed blade movement)
- Your choice of 2.25" Pinback Button Sets — 250, 500, or 1,000 complete sets (front shell, mylar film, and pinback)
- 3 months of Build-a-Button design software access with drag-and-drop 2.25" templates, photo bleed and safe-area guides, and direct print-ready export
- Button Essentials digital download — a free starter design library
- Free button-making templates for Photoshop, CorelDraw, and Open Office
- Free UPS Ground Shipping on the kit within the lower 48 U.S. states
- Lifetime warranty against defects in materials or workmanship, plus optional Ultimate Extended Warranty
- Lifetime U.S.-based technical support — reach a real person by phone at (972) 985-5074
2.25" Button Maker Kit Specifications
| Finished Button Size | 2.25 inches round (57 mm) — the most-visible standard pinback size |
|---|---|
| Press Model | Model 225 — all-metal cam-on-roller hand press with two-station swivel die set |
| Paper Cutter Options | Adjustable Circle Cutter ("Good" tier) or 2.25" Professional Graphic Punch, Model 2625 ("Best" tier) |
| Pinback Set Quantity | 250, 500, or 1,000 complete pinback button sets included |
| Construction | All-metal frame, U.S. steel, no plastic load-bearing parts |
| Footprint | Compact tabletop — fits a classroom desk, library cart, photographer's event table, or campaign volunteer table |
| Power Required | None. Manual operation. No electricity, no compressed air, no software required to run the press itself. |
| Time Per Button | About 8–12 seconds once a graphic is cut to size |
| Paper Stock | Designed for 24 lb. paper for hand-trim cuts; the Professional Graphic Punch handles standard-weight print stock cleanly |
| What It Makes | 2.25" pinback buttons, refrigerator magnets (with our 2.25" Self-Adhesive Magnet Sets), zipper pulls, key chains, bottle openers, mirror backs, and ornaments — same press, different parts |
| Compatible Supplies | The full 2.25" Standard Button Supplies catalog — pinback sets, magnet sets, mylar, paper circles, and accessories |
| Warranty | Lifetime against manufacturing defects; Ultimate Extended Warranty available |
| Manufactured | Made in the U.S.A. with American steel |
| Best For | Schools, libraries, churches, nonprofits, photographers, wedding planners, funeral homes, real estate agents, political campaigns, fundraising programs, crafters, and small-batch makers |
Who Uses the 2.25" Button Maker Kit
Schools, PTOs & Teachers
2.25" is the size school spirit weeks are built around — large enough to print a mascot, a class year, or a "Class of 2026" graduation keepsake that a senior will actually keep. PTOs use the kit for fundraising tables, parent-night handouts, and teacher appreciation. Art teachers use it for end-of-unit student projects where every kid walks out with the button they designed. The same kit pulls double duty for read-a-thons, kindness campaigns, and bus-rider rewards. If a press will primarily be used by students, the Professional Graphic Punch variant is the safer choice because the punch has no exposed blade movement.
Libraries & Makerspaces
The 2.25" face is the most visible from across the room, which is why it's the size libraries default to for summer reading programs, Banned Books Week, staff badges, branch anniversaries, and standing makerspace open hours. If your library is in the procurement stage, take a look at our purpose-built 2.25" Library Button Maker Kit — it bundles the same 2.25" press with the Library Edition design pack and a 12-month Build-a-Button subscription, and it's a single line item on a purchase order. We also accept POs directly from libraries and schools.
Churches, Nonprofits & Community Programs
Vacation Bible School groups, youth ministry teams, mission-trip cohorts, donor-recognition events, and volunteer appreciation programs use the 2.25" kit for keepsake production at a fixed unit cost. Faith-based summer camps print a different design per week so campers leave with a set. Nonprofits use it for awareness campaigns where the message has to be readable from across a hallway. Rec sports leagues run the press through team photo nights, where every player on every team gets a personalized button to take home.
Photographers & Photo Studios
The 2.25" face is the right canvas for a recognizable headshot — large enough to read facial features, small enough to give away by the hundreds. Wedding and event photographers use it for reception giveaways and photo-booth swag. Senior portrait studios add a 2.25" button or magnet to graduation packages. Newborn photographers offer them as parent take-homes. If you specifically need to cut photo paper, look at the 2.25" Photo Punch (Model 2225) — it's designed for heavier photographic stock.
Wedding & Event Planners
2.25" is the size couples pick for "save the date" buttons, welcome-bag swag, bachelorette weekends, and reception favors. Event planners use the same kit for corporate retreats, conference badges, and award nights where every attendee leaves with a printed memento.
Funeral Homes & Memorial Services
2.25" is the standard size for memorial buttons and magnets honoring a loved one. Funeral homes that offer keepsake printing run a 2.25" press during the planning meeting so families leave the service with one for every attendee. The lifetime warranty matters here because the press is in service for years, not weeks.
Real Estate Agents
2.25" buttons and magnets are a long-running tool in real-estate farming — magnet sets with an agent's photo and phone number stay on a refrigerator for years, far longer than a business card. The kit pays for itself across one or two listings.
Political Campaigns & Advocacy
2.25" is the classic American campaign-button size, period. Local races, school-board elections, ballot-measure campaigns, and door-knocking volunteers all use this size because slogans fit, photos fit, and a 2.25" button reads from across a parking lot. If you specifically need a campaign-purposed bundle, see the 2.25" Professional Campaign Button Maker Kit.
Crafters, Small Makers & Etsy Sellers
2.25" is the bread-and-butter size for fan-art buttons, conventions, comic shops, craft-fair tables, and Etsy storefronts. The press produces a clean crimp every time, which matters when buyers expect a finished, professional product. Pair the kit with our round button supplies for ongoing inventory.
How It Works
The press uses a two-station swivel die set. Print your graphic from the included Build-a-Button software (or use our free 2.25" templates in Photoshop, CorelDraw, or Open Office). Cut the printed circle with the included cutter or punch. Drop a 2.25" button shell into the first die station, lay the printed graphic over it, top with a mylar protective film, and press once. Swivel the die set to the second station, drop in the pinback, and press a second time. That's the whole button — about 8 to 12 seconds once your graphics are cut.
For step-by-step walkthroughs, see the full How to Make a Button guide and our complete video library.
What Sets the 2.25" Kit Apart
- Cam-on-roller press mechanism. The Model 225 uses a roller cam rather than a screw or lever-only design, so it takes very little hand force to complete a stroke. A 100-button run completes without operator fatigue.
- Zero scrap-loss engineering. The shell-to-mylar fit is tight enough that you don't lose 5% of every supply order to crooked crimps the way you do with cheaper imports.
- Choice of cutter tier, in one purchase. The "Best" variant ships with the Professional Graphic Punch (Model 2625) — single-stroke, no exposed blade movement, safer for makerspaces and classrooms.
- Designed for ABM's full 2.25" supply lineup. Pinback sets, magnet sets, mylar, accent rings, and paper circles from our 2.25" supplies catalog all fit consistently — no trial-and-error to get a clean crimp.
- Lifetime warranty against defects, lifetime U.S.-based phone support. Replacement parts and service ship from Texas, not from overseas.
- USA steel, USA assembly, USA warranty. Every component on this kit is made in the United States.
How to Choose Your Variant
The kit comes in six configurations — two cutter tiers crossed with three pinback-set quantities. The cutter tier is the bigger decision; the quantity is just about how much starter supply you want on hand.
- "Good" — Adjustable Circle Cutter: hand-trim cutter with templates. Lower cost. Works well when buttons will be made by trained staff and the trade-off for the lower price is worth the manual setup.
- "Best" — 2.25" Professional Graphic Punch: single-stroke punch, all-metal construction, no exposed blade movement. The right pick if the press will be used by patrons, students, kids, or volunteers, or any time you'd rather not stand behind the press correcting cuts.
- Pinback set quantity: 250 sets covers a first program or test run. 500 sets covers a typical school spirit day or library summer reading program. 1,000 sets covers a full season, a campaign cycle, or three to four months of small-batch Etsy production.
Related Products & Refill Supplies
Every 2.25" supply, accessory, and machine restocks from one ABM account — same vendor, same shipping, no hunting for parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a 2.25" button, really?
2.25 inches across — slightly smaller than a tennis ball (a tennis ball is 2.57") and roughly the size of a standard yo-yo. It's the largest of the three "every-program" button sizes (1.25", 1.5", and 2.25") and the most visible from across a room, which is why it's the standard size for campaign buttons, spirit-day buttons, conference badges, and memorial buttons.
What's the difference between the "Good" and "Best" cutter options?
The "Good" tier ships with the Adjustable Circle Cutter — a hand-trim cutter that uses centering templates. The "Best" tier ships with the 2.25" Professional Graphic Punch, Model 2625 — a single-stroke punch with no exposed blade movement. The Professional Graphic Punch is faster, more consistent, and safer when the press will be used by patrons, students, or kids. If you're sizing this for a public-facing makerspace or a classroom, the "Best" tier is the right call.
Will this same press make magnets too?
Yes. The 2.25" Button Maker is the same press whether you're crimping pinback sets, self-adhesive magnet sets, key chains, zipper pulls, bottle openers, or mirror sets — you just change the part you press. You don't need a second machine to add magnets to your program.
Does my library or school need a special version of this kit?
Not strictly — this kit ships with everything a library or school needs. But the dedicated 2.25" Library Button Maker Kit includes the Library Edition design pack, and bumps Build-a-Button access from 3 months to 12 months. American Button Machines accepts purchase orders directly from libraries and schools — call (972) 985-5074 or email [email protected] for a quote or W-9.
What happens when we run out of pinback parts?
The starter pinback supply is enough to get the program running. When you're ready to restock, the same 2.25" Pinback Button Sets are available in 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 5,000-count packs. Mylar, paper circles, magnet sets, and accessories restock from the 2.25" Standard Button Supplies collection — one account, one shipping address, no hunting for parts.
Do I need a computer or special software to use the press?
No software is required to run the press itself — it's a fully manual cam-on-roller hand press, no electricity and no air compressor. You'll want design software to lay out the graphics that go on the button face, and the kit includes 3 months of access to our Build-a-Button design tool. You can also use our free 2.25" templates in Photoshop, CorelDraw, or Open Office.
Is there a warranty?
Yes — a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, plus an optional Ultimate Extended Warranty for buyers who want full coverage including normal wear. Phone support is U.S.-based and open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time; chat support is open Tuesday through Friday during the same hours. Reach us at (972) 985-5074 or [email protected].
Is the 2.25" Button Maker Kit made in the USA?
Yes. The press is built with American steel and assembled in the United States. The pinback components included in the kit are made in the U.S.A. as well. Replacement parts and warranty service ship from Texas.
What if I'm not sure which size to pick — should I get 1.25", 1.5", or 2.25"?
2.25" is the most visible size and the safest "first kit" choice if you don't have a specific use case driving the decision. Smaller sizes (1.25" or 1.5") make sense when the buttons need to be discreet on a lapel, when the per-unit supply cost matters at high volumes, or when collectible-style is the look. If you'd rather not pick one, the 3-in-1 Professional Button Maker Kit covers 1", 2.25", and 3" in a single shipment — that's the kit we recommend when a buyer wants the option to run different sizes for different programs. See our full how to choose a button maker kit guide for the comparison.
Ultimate Extended Warranty
This kit qualifies for American Button Machines' Ultimate Extended Warranty — full coverage including normal wear, available at checkout.
Free UPS Ground Shipping
Free UPS Ground Shipping applies to this kit within the lower 48 U.S. states. Shipping charges apply to any additional items added to the same order.
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