The Button Blog - American Button Machines — Button Making

So what button making product is the least known to most button makers? In a single word, Coasters! Making your own custom coaster button is fun and very easy to do! All you need are 3 items: 1. 3.5" Button Maker 2. 3.5" Coaster Button Set 3. 3.5" Coaster Insert So gather everything you need and follow this step-by-step tutorial to guide you through the process. How to Make a Button Coaster: Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the parts of the coaster button. The parts consist of: Mylar, Front Shell, Flat Back and Adhesive Backed Cork. You can purchase the...

Last week I offered several suggestions for putting your Metal Craft Punch to good use. This nifty little gadget is so versatile that I couldn’t fit all of my ideas in one post. So I’m back again this week with a couple more ideas. Much like threading decorative ribbon through a Christmas ornament, you can again use one of the smaller bits to make a hole for threading a short beaded chain. Some of you are probably asking, what on earth for… so it can be hung as a monogrammed rear view mirror charm. Please, enough of the genius talk; you’re...

So, if you’ve got the Metal Craft Punch that you purchased last year with the Christmas Ornament Kit or the Flashing Button Kit and you’re wondering how else to make use of it well we have a few more ideas for you. For starters, you can use one of the smaller bits (3/32”)  included with the Metal Craft Punch to make earrings. Starting with a 1” shell (that is a nice size for earrings, don’t you agree?) mylar & black plastic medallion back, crimp the button as usual. Next, fit the Metal Craft Punch with the 3/32 bit and punch...

Fabric covered buttons are a fun alternative to paper buttons and can be especially eye-catching. There are lots of choices when it comes to fabric buttons; today we share 10 ideas with you:   • Embroidered pocket mirrors • Purse hangers (using a flat back button) • Embellished shoe charms and flip-flops • Spruce up ID badges for nurses or teachers by adding a badge reel   • Cross stitch a pin back button • Reward students and contest winners with Award ribbons • Decorative flower brooches (or hats or pterodactyls)           • Super cute ponytail holders (to match school uniforms)...

You have questions and we have answers. One of the most commonly asked questions we get revolves around the different types of button machines and supplies & whether or not they are interchangeable. Short and Sweet: Any 2.25" and 3"  Industry Standard Button Supplies will not work in a Badge-a-Minit (AKA BAM) button maker. However we do offer BAM-sized pinback buttons for our customers who own a Badgeaminit sized button machines. Basically, you’ll find three kinds of button machines: Industry standard, proprietary and those made outside the USA. Industry standard button supplies fit 99.9% of all standard-sized button machines. These...