2.25 Inch Button Maker — Model 225 Button Making Machine
The Model 225 makes 2.25 inch buttons — the most popular and most versatile size American Button Machines carries. One machine produces more than a dozen different finished products, which is why it is the size most schools, libraries, and campaigns end up standardizing on.
Model 225 button makers are the fastest 2 1/4" machines available today. They use a positive full-stroke press verification process: the handle completes its full travel or the button doesn't release, so half-pressed buttons never make it into your finished pile. Full-stroke machines run faster and waste less material on long production days.
What 2.25 Inch Buttons Are Good For
- Schools — spirit days, fundraisers, student recognition, and graduation keepsakes
- Libraries — summer reading programs, staff badges, and program giveaways
- Campaigns and advocacy — the classic size for political and cause buttons
- Photo buttons — the smallest size that gives a photograph real room, using the 2225 photo punch
- Churches, nonprofits, and rec leagues — donor recognition, volunteer appreciation, and end-of-season awards
- Crafters and small makers selling at markets and craft fairs
Shop 2.25 Inch Button Makers
The Model 225 is sold as the machine on its own, as a complete kit, or as one of three purpose-built kits that bundle the machine with designs geared to a specific use. The standard kit page lets you choose which paper cutter and how many pinback button sets you want.
How to Make a 2.25 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 2.25" Graphic Punch for paper, a 2.25" Photo Punch for photographic stock, or an Adjustable Circle Cutter if you run several button sizes.
- 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 through its full stroke 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 225
- Photos need the photo punch. Photographic paper is thicker than printer paper. The 2225 photo punch is cut for that thickness — using a standard graphic punch on photo stock gives you ragged edges and wasted prints.
- 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.
- Try the sample pack before committing to a supply order. The 2.25" Deluxe Sample Pack includes the most popular button making options, which is a cheap way to find out which backs your program actually wants.
2.25 Inch Button Machine Products and Supplies
Below is what a 2.25" button maker can produce. Each supply set works with the Model 225 as-is — no adapters or die changes beyond the standard two-step cycle.
| Pinback Buttons | 2.25" Pinback Button Set — includes mylar, front shells, and locking spring pins. |
|---|---|
| Magnet Sets | 2.25" Self-Adhesive Magnet Set — includes mylar, front shells, and a self-adhesive magnet. |
| Metal Flat Backs | 2.25" Metal Flatback Button Set — includes mylar, front shells, and metal flat backs. |
| Mirror Sets | 2.25" Mirror Back Buttons — pocket mirrors, cosmetic mirrors, and shower or party favors. |
| Chain Key Rings | 2.25" Chain Key Ring — includes mylar, front shells, key chain back, and snap-in key chain. |
| Bottle Openers | 2.25" Metal Bottle Opener Set — with magnet and optional keyring. Popular for tailgates and fundraisers. |
| Pony Tail Sets | 2.25" Ponytail Set — includes mylar, front shells, metal back with center hole, and an extra large eyelet. |
| Rosette Buttons | Complete 100pc Rosette Button Kit — award ribbons for fairs, shows, and competitions. |
| Ceramic Magnets | Ceramic Magnet — strong ceramic magnets that work with 2.25" buttons. |
| Bulldog Clips | Adhesive Backed Bulldog Clips — wear a button without piercing clothing. |
| Mag Tags | MagTag-Triple Play — another no-pierce option for uniforms and delicate fabrics. |
| Accent Rings | 2.25" Accent Rings — Small Variety Pack — frame a photo or paper button with a band of color. |
| Flashing Buttons | 2.25" Red Flashing Button Kit — adds a blinking LED behind the button face. |
| Button Easels | Button Easels — cardboard easels for displaying a finished button on a desk or shelf. |
| Sample Pack | 2.25" Deluxe Sample Pack — a mixed pack of the most popular 2.25" options. |
Cutters, Software, and Designs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 2.25 inch the most popular button size?
It is the point where a button is still cheap enough to give away in quantity but large enough to carry a photograph, a logo, and a line of text without crowding. It also supports the widest range of finished products of any size ABM carries — pinbacks, magnets, mirrors, keychains, bottle openers, rosettes, and more.
What does full-stroke press verification mean?
The handle has to complete its full travel before the machine releases the button. A partial pull won't produce a finished piece, so half-pressed buttons never end up mixed into a finished run. On a long production day that saves both material and sorting time.
Do I need a different punch for photo buttons?
Yes. Photographic paper is noticeably thicker than printer paper, and the 2.25" Photo Punch is cut for that thickness. Using a standard graphic punch on photo stock produces ragged edges and wastes prints.
What is the difference between the standard kit and the School or Campaign kits?
All three include a Model 225 and a graphic punch cutter. The School and Campaign kits add designs geared to those uses. If you want to choose your own cutter and pinback quantity instead, start from the standard 2.25" Button Maker Kit.
Can I make buttons that don't pierce clothing?
Yes. Bulldog clips and 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.
Is 2.25 inch the right size for my project?
For most projects, yes — it is the default recommendation. Go smaller if per-button cost is the deciding factor on a large giveaway run. Go larger if you need a photograph to read from across a room. The button size guide compares what each size can make.
