1.75 Inch Button Maker — Model 175 Button Making Machine
The Model 175 makes 1.75 inch buttons — a step up from the small promotional sizes, with enough face area for a logo and a line or two of text while still costing less per button than 2.25".
Every Model 175 uses the same patented two-step process found across the ABM line. A Cam-on-Roller design and an effective fulcrum position keep handle pressure low, so a single operator can work through several hundred buttons an hour without fatigue. The machine is compact and light enough to carry to an event and set up on a folding table.
What 1.75 Inch Buttons Are Good For
- Pinback buttons for schools, clubs, churches, and nonprofit organizations
- Magnet sets, including ceramic magnets and no-pierce options
- Chain key rings
- Bulldog clips for uniforms, lanyard-free ID, and knitwear
- Promotional giveaways where 1.5" is too small and 2.25" costs more than the budget allows
Shop 1.75 Inch Button Makers
The Model 175 is sold as the machine on its own or as a complete kit. The standard kit page lets you choose which paper cutter and how many pinback button sets you want.
How to Make a 1.75 Inch Button
The two-step process is the same on every ABM machine. If you have never used one, the video below walks through a full cycle.
- Cut your graphic. Use a 1.75" Graphic Punch or an Adjustable Circle Cutter. There is no hand-held Dynamo punch at this size — the Dynamo is made for 1", 1.25", and 1.5" only.
- Load the shell and mylar. Place the front shell face down in the first die, lay your graphic on top, and cover it with a mylar disc.
- Press once. Pull the handle down to seat the shell.
- Swivel and press again. Rotate the die set, add the back, and press a second time to crimp the finished button. No die changes are required between steps.
More walkthroughs are available in the Video Library.
Pro Tips for the Model 175
- Check the accessory range before you commit. 1.75" supports fewer finished products than 1.5" or 2.25". If your program needs badge reels, ponytail holders, or zipper pulls, one of those two sizes is the better starting point.
- Cut in batches for large runs. If you regularly produce several hundred buttons at a sitting, the High Volume Die-Cutting Press cuts 30 to 50 graphics at a time instead of one.
- The rotary cutter is the flexible option. The 1.75" Graphic Punch is faster but size-specific. If you already run another machine size, the Adjustable Circle Cutter covers both.
1.75 Inch Button Machine Products and Supplies
Below is what a 1.75" button maker can produce. Each supply set works with the Model 175 as-is — no adapters or die changes beyond the standard two-step cycle.
| Pinback Buttons | 1.75" Pinback Button Set — includes mylar, front shells, and locking spring pins. |
|---|---|
| Magnet Sets | 1.75" Self-Adhesive Magnet Set — includes mylar, front shells, and a self-adhesive magnet. |
| Chain Key Rings | 1.75" Chain Key Ring — includes mylar, front shells, key chain back, and snap-in key chain. |
| Ceramic Magnets | Ceramic Magnet — strong ceramic magnets that work with 1.75" un-pinned buttons. |
| Mag Tags | Round MagTag — wear a button without piercing clothing. |
| Bulldog Clips | Adhesive Backed Bulldog Clips — another no-pierce option for uniforms and delicate fabrics. |
Cutters, Software, and Designs
Frequently Asked Questions
How does 1.75 inch compare to 1.5 inch and 2.25 inch?
It sits between them on size and cost. The tradeoff is accessory range: 1.5" and 2.25" both support a wider set of finished products. Choose 1.75" when the button itself is the deliverable — pinbacks, magnets, and keychains — rather than when you need badge reels or jewelry hardware.
Is there a Dynamo punch for 1.75 inch?
No. The hand-held Dynamo punch is made for 1", 1.25", and 1.5" only. At 1.75" your options are the size-specific 1.75" Graphic Punch or the Adjustable Circle Cutter.
Can the Model 175 make anything besides pinback buttons?
Yes — magnets, ceramic magnets, chain key rings, MagTags, and bulldog clip buttons. The machine stays the same; you change which supply set you load into it.
Can I make buttons that don't pierce clothing?
Yes. Bulldog clips and Round MagTags both hold a finished button without a pin, which matters for uniforms, knitwear, and anything a customer doesn't want a hole in. Magnet sets are the other option, where the back is applied during assembly rather than clipped on afterward.
Should I buy the machine on its own or the kit?
Buy the machine on its own if you already own a cutter and a supply of pinback sets. Buy the kit if you are starting from nothing — it bundles the machine with your choice of cutter and a starting quantity of 250, 500, or 1,000 pinback button sets.
Is 1.75 inch the right size for my project?
Choose it when you want more face area than 1.5" gives but don't need the full accessory range of 2.25". If you are unsure, 2.25" is the more versatile default. The button size guide compares what each size can make.
