3.5 Inch Photo Button Maker — Model 350 Button Making Machine
The Model 350 makes 3.5 inch buttons — the largest practical size for photo work, and the only 3.5" button machine that handles both regular printer paper and heavier photo-lab stock on the same press.
That dual capability is what sets the Model 350 apart. Most machines are calibrated for one paper weight. This one accepts both, so a photographer running photo paper and a school running copier paper can use the same press without swapping dies or adjusting anything.
What 3.5 Inch Buttons Are Good For
- Photo buttons — the size that gives a face real presence, readable across a gym or auditorium
- Coasters — a finished drink coaster made on the same press
- Mirror-back buttons for favors and giveaways
- Button magnets, including large refrigerator magnets
- Sports and school buttons, where a photo plus a name and number all need to fit
- Campaigns and advocacy, where visibility from a distance matters
Shop 3.5 Inch Button Makers
The Model 350 is sold as the machine on its own, as a complete kit, or as one of two purpose-built kits that bundle the machine with designs geared to a specific use.
How to Make a 3.5 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 3.5" Graphic/Photo Punch for either paper weight, a 3.5" Round Cutting Die with the die-cutting press, 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 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 350
- One press, two paper weights. You do not need to change anything between a copier-paper run and a photo-lab-print run. That matters if one machine serves several departments.
- Large buttons magnify artwork problems. A low-resolution image that passes at 1.25" will look soft at 3.5". Start from the highest-resolution file you have.
- Cut in batches for large runs. The High Volume Die-Cutting Press paired with the 3.5" round cutting die cuts a stack of graphics at once instead of one at a time.
3.5 Inch Button Machine Products and Supplies
Below is what a 3.5" button maker can produce. Each supply set works with the Model 350 as-is — no adapters or die changes beyond the standard two-step cycle.
| Pinback Buttons | 3.5" Pinback Button Set — includes mylar, front shells, and locking spring pins. |
|---|---|
| Magnet Sets | 3.5" Self-Adhesive Magnet Set — includes mylar, front shells, collets, and a self-adhesive magnet. |
| Mirror Sets | 3.5" Mirror Back Buttons — pocket mirrors, cosmetic mirrors, and party or shower favors. |
| Coaster Sets | 3.5" Coaster Button Set — make your own photo coasters. |
| Ceramic Magnets | Ceramic Magnet — strong ceramic magnets that work with 3.5" pinback 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 | 3.5" Accent Rings — Small Variety Pack — frame a photo or paper button with a band of color. |
| Flashing Buttons | 3.5" 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. |
| Cutting Dies | 3.5" Round Cutting Die — for use with the high volume die-cutting press. |
Cutters, Software, and Designs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Model 350 use both printer paper and photo paper?
Yes, and that is the reason to choose it. It is the only 3.5" button maker that produces buttons from regular printer paper or from heavier photo-lab stock without any change to the machine. You do not swap dies or adjust settings between the two.
How do I make coasters with the Model 350?
Coasters use the 3.5" Coaster Button Set rather than a pinback set. The assembly runs through the same two-step press cycle as a standard button.
What resolution artwork do I need at this size?
Higher than you would need for a small button. A 3.5" face magnifies compression artifacts and low-resolution scans that would go unnoticed at 1.25". Work from the original file rather than a web download or a screenshot wherever you can.
What is the difference between the standard kit and the School or Campaign kits?
All three include a Model 350 and a cutter. The School and Campaign kits add designs geared to those uses. If you want to choose your own configuration instead, start from the standard 3.5" Photo Button Maker Kit.
Do I need the die-cutting press?
Only for volume. A graphic/photo punch cuts one graphic at a time and is fine for runs in the dozens. The die-cutting press paired with the 3.5" round cutting die cuts a stack at once, which is what makes a several-hundred-piece run practical in an afternoon.
Is 3.5 inch the right size for my project?
Choose it when the image is the point — photographs, faces, or anything that has to read from across a room — or when you want coasters. For general-purpose work at lower cost per piece, 2.25" is the more common choice. The button size guide compares what each size can make.
