What's the difference between Build-a-Button Lite and the full design studio?

Lite handles one image on one sheet, sized and ready to cut, plus a name tag list. The full studio adds curved text, layers, filters, 600+ fonts, ready-made templates, and saved designs you can edit later. Lite is enough for a batch from a photo or logo; a membership is for designing from scratch or reusing designs.

Can I download Build-a-Button or use it offline?

Build-a-Button cannot be downloaded. There is no app to install because it runs in your web browser, so you can use it on a desktop, laptop, or tablet anywhere you have an internet connection.

Build-a-Button

Q: Is there a free online button maker?

Yes. Build-a-Button Lite is free to use once you join the ABM email list: upload a photo or image, pick your button size, and print a ready-to-cut sheet. Lite also includes a name tag generator that places each name from a list onto its own button. The full design studio offers a free demo, and every complete Button Making Kit includes a free 3-month full membership.

Q: Do I need to buy a button machine to use Build-a-Button?

No. Build-a-Button is standalone online button design software. With Lite or a membership you can design and print your artwork on any printer. You only need a button maker and matching supplies when you are ready to press your printed designs into finished buttons.

Q: Do you offer training and support for Build-a-Button?

Yes. ABM offers a free library of in-depth video tutorials plus FAQs covering every tool. Personal training and technical support are available by phone for a fee, and the Pinback Button Making Community on Facebook is available for peer help.

Online Button Maker & Design Software

Build-a-Button

Design your own buttons in your browser. Full studio by membership, or Build-a-Button Lite free for quick prints.

Build-a-Button is online button design software made for people who aren't graphic designers. Add text like a word processor, curve it around the button, drop in your own images, and let the software size every button correctly for you. Every ABM size and shape is built in. Just need a quick sheet of buttons from one image? Build-a-Button Lite does that for free.

Lite, Free

Try Build-a-Button Lite

Upload a photo or image, choose your size, and print a ready-to-cut sheet. Perfect for a one-off batch, a quick fundraiser, or a sheet of name tags. Free to use when you join our email list.

Start Making Buttons Free

Free Demo

Try the Full Design Studio

Take the complete Build-a-Button design studio for a test drive. Explore curved text, layers, fonts and templates with no account and no purchase required.

Open the Free Demo

Members

Already a Member?

Sign in and go straight to the full design studio. Your membership is recognized automatically, so the software opens right up with no codes to enter.

Launch Build-a-Button

Not sure which one you need? Lite handles one image on one sheet. The full studio adds text, layers, fonts, templates and saved designs. Compare them below.

The Free Quick-Print Version

Build-a-Button Lite

The fastest way to go from an image on your computer to a sheet of buttons ready to cut and press. No software to install, no design experience needed.

Upload Your Image

A photo, a logo, a drawing, anything you have as a picture file.

Pick Your Button Size

Choose the ABM size you press. Lite sets the cut size and bleed for you.

Print and Cut

Print the ready-to-cut sheet on your own printer, cut, and press.

Making Name Tags?

Type or paste a list of names and Lite puts each name on its own button in your print-out. Fifty names becomes fifty buttons, with no retyping. Handy for classrooms, conferences, teams and events.

When You'll Want the Full Studio

Lite is built for one image on one sheet. If you want to add text, curve it around the edge, stack layers, pick from 600+ fonts, start from a template, or save a design to edit later, the full Build-a-Button design studio does all of that. Try it free in the demo, then choose a plan when you're ready.

Open Build-a-Button Lite

Free to use. All we ask is that you join our email list.

The Full Design Studio

Button Design Software That Does the Hard Parts

Everything in Lite, plus the tools you'd normally need a graphic designer for.

Text in a Circle

Curve text neatly around the edge of any button with no guesswork.

600+ Fonts

Use our library or upload your own .TTF and .OTF font files.

Layers Tool

Stack, lock, and arrange every element on its own layer, Photoshop-style.

20+ Sizes & Shapes

Round, square, rectangle, and oval, all perfectly sized for you.

Ready-Made Templates

Start from loaded templates, including ones built for campaign buttons.

Upload Your Images

Add images up to 5MB, then resize, rotate, crop, and apply filters.

Save & Edit Later

Save a working file and pick up exactly where you left off.

Tablet Friendly

Design in full screen on a computer or tablet, with auto-centering guides.

What You Can Do	Build-a-Button Lite (Free)	Full Design Studio (Membership)
Upload an image and print a ready-to-cut sheet	Yes	Yes
Automatic sizing and bleed for every ABM size	Yes	Yes
Name tag list, one name per button	Yes	Yes, from a CSV file
Add and curve text	No	Yes
Layers, filters, crop and rotate	No	Yes
600+ fonts and your own font files	No	Yes
Ready-made templates	No	Yes
Save designs and edit later	No	Yes
Cost	Free with email signup	From $12.95, see plans below

Full Studio Memberships

Membership Options

Every plan unlocks the full Build-a-Button design studio. Choose the membership that matches how often you make buttons and who will be using it.

Individual

For hobbyists, crafters, charities, and small businesses designing buttons for their own use.

1 Week$12.95
1 Month$27.44
3 MonthsSave 55%$37.44
6 MonthsSave 55%$73.69
12 MonthsSave 69%$103.69
LifetimeBest Value$299.95

Savings compared to paying month by month at the 1-month rate. Lifetime pays for itself in under 11 months, then it's yours for good.

Choose a Plan

Schools & Libraries

One shared account for an entire school or library campus. Teachers, staff, and students can all design buttons. Campus-wide, not district-wide.

$197.95 / year

12-month membership

Get the School Plan

See It In Action

Watch how quickly you can go from a blank template to a finished, print-ready button design. Then explore the video training library to master every tool in the studio.

Video Training Library Open the Demo

Build-a-Button online button maker overview video

Getting In & Getting Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free online button maker?

Yes. Build-a-Button Lite is free to use once you join our email list: upload a photo or image, pick your button size, and print a ready-to-cut sheet. Lite also includes a name tag generator, so a list of names becomes one button per name on your print-out. The full design studio has a free demo too, and every complete Button Making Kit includes a free 3-month full membership.

What's the difference between Lite and the full design studio?

Lite handles one image on one sheet, sized and ready to cut, plus the name tag list. The full studio adds text you can curve around the button, layers, filters, 600+ fonts, ready-made templates, and the ability to save a design and edit it later. If you're making a batch from a photo or logo, Lite is enough. If you're designing from scratch or want to reuse designs, you'll want a membership.

Do I need to buy a button machine to use Build-a-Button?

No. Build-a-Button is standalone design software. With Lite or a membership you can design and print your artwork on any printer. You only need a button maker and matching supplies when you're ready to press your printed designs into finished buttons.

How do I get into the software after I become a member?

Sign in to your American Button Machines account, then click Launch Build-a-Button on this page (or Use Build-a-Button in the menu). Your active membership is recognized automatically, so the studio opens right up. There are no codes to enter.

I'm seeing a message that the content is protected and asks me to log in. What do I do?

First, make sure you're signed in to your account. If you're already signed in and still see that message, your membership has expired. Just renew your membership and you'll be right back in.

What devices and browsers does it work on?

Build-a-Button works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. For the best experience, use a tablet-sized or larger screen with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft browsers, Chromebooks, and similar devices aren't supported.

Can I download the software or use it offline?

Build-a-Button can't be downloaded. There's no app to install, because it runs right in your web browser. The upside is that you can use it on a desktop, laptop, or tablet anywhere you have an internet connection, which makes it handy for craft fairs and on-site events.

I'm at a school and Build-a-Button won't load. What's wrong?

Many schools sit behind a firewall that blocks outside servers. Ask your school's IT department to allow access to our servers, and the design center will load normally.

Do you offer training and support?

Yes. We have a free library of in-depth video tutorials plus these FAQs that cover every tool. Personal training and technical support are available by phone for a fee, and you can ask other button makers in our Pinback Button Making Community on Facebook.

Have a more technical question about printing, file formats, or saving? See the full Build-a-Button FAQ

Ready to Start Designing?

Try Lite Free Try the Studio Demo Become a Member

Questions about Build-a-Button? Call us at (972) 985-5074