The Button Blog - American Button Machines — Button Making

Hey Button Makers… for a couple of years now we’ve offered Magneta-Snap Pendants on our website and sales have been fantastic. Did you know you can also make a key chain from this same pendant? I kid you not – a key chain! The bail is large enough to work with both split key rings, snap hook key rings and C-Hook key rings. Both look great with one of these versatile pendants attached.     Who says you have to use the key chain for your keys? Do you have a handbag that needs some added spice? Snap the key chain on the strap...

What is a metal flatback? What is a plastic medallion button? How are they different and what can you use them for? It is confusing, why do you offer both styles?  What is a crimp die adapter used for? We get these questions quite frequently so we thought we would put together a quick history and tutorial for our followers. How can you tell a metal fatback button from a medallion? Metal flatbacks have a smooth, nicely finished metal back. Plastic medallions have a plastic back with a small ridge where the shell crimps around it. For comparison purposes, a collet...

Making a mirror back button using a favorite photo or fabric is fun and very easy to do! You might have heard them referred to before as a pocket mirror or purse mirror. Our complete mirror button sets include everything you need to make a mirror back button, Mylar, Front Shell, Collet Back, Mirror Shim and Genuine Glass Mirror.   We offer several mirror sizes to choose from: Industry Standard Size: 2.25" Mirror Button Set, 3" Mirror Button Set and 3.5" Mirror Button Set. Badge-a-Minit Size: BAM 2.25" Mirror Button Set   We have put together this step-by-step tutorial to guide...

Did you know American Button Machines has available not one but two different types of fabric button machines? Anyone who has done research for fabric buttons knows all about the Red-n-Black Machine. But few of you are aware of the Green Machine. This beauty has been in the shadow of her super star, 2nd cousin twice removed, far too long. It is high time she steps in front to showcase her talents. The Green Machine is sold as a kit which includes the button maker, the die size of your choice and 144 large wire eyelet button sets. Since the...

Where can I find one button machine that makes different size buttons? That’s a questions we get asked almost on a daily basis; sometimes twice in one day. So why don’t we just make one? There are actually a few very good reasons. Allow me to share with you some quality insider information.   First, all machines that incorporate the ability to change dies are manufactured in China and do not conform to industry standard sized buttons found in the USA. Second, the die is the most expensive part of any button machine. So if your goal is to save...