Button Making Tutorial
Making a pinback button takes six steps: load the shell, graphic, and mylar into the die, press the handle twice, and rotate out a finished button. No special skills are required — most first-time users press finished buttons within minutes of unboxing their American Button Machines (ABM) press.
This illustrated tutorial walks through every press of the handle. Each step below is photographed on an actual ABM machine, and the full process is also shown in the video further down the page.
Materials You'll Need
Before you start, gather the components for a single button. Each finished button uses four parts plus the press:
- Front shell — the metal top of the button, picked up by the upper die.
- Printed graphic — your paper artwork, cut to size with a circle cutter or graphic punch.
- Mylar — a clear protective film that lays over your graphic.
- Pin back — the metal back with the safety-pin clasp.
- Your ABM button maker — sized to the diameter of the buttons you want to produce.
Each Popular Button Maker Kit ships with the machine, shells, graphics paper, mylar, pin backs, and a circle cutter or graphic punch — so you can start pressing buttons the same day it arrives.
- Choose from 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2.25", and other popular sizes
- Includes 250, 500, or 1,000 pinback button sets
- Free UPS Ground shipping
The 6-Step Button Making Tutorial
That's All There Is to It
A finished, professional-quality pinback button, pressed on an American-made machine built for years of daily use. If you can pull a handle, you can make buttons.
Watch the Tutorial in Action
Buying for a School, Library, or Organization?
Button making is a staple activity for classrooms, library maker spaces, scout troops, churches, and nonprofit programs — and American Button Machines (ABM) makes institutional ordering simple. We accept purchase orders from schools, libraries, and government organizations, and our team can recommend the right kit for your program size and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make a pinback button?
The process takes six steps and two pulls of the handle per button. Most first-time users are pressing finished buttons within minutes of unboxing their machine — there is no calibration, software, or assembly skill required.
What materials do I need to make a button?
Each finished pinback button uses four components: a metal front shell, your printed paper graphic cut to size, a clear mylar film that protects the graphic, and a pin back. You will also need a button maker sized to the diameter you want to produce and a circle cutter or graphic punch to cut your artwork.
Do button maker kits include everything I need to start?
Yes. Each Popular Button Maker Kit pairs the press with button parts (shells, mylar, and pin backs), a circle cutter or graphic punch for your artwork, and getting-started resources, so you can make finished buttons the day the box arrives.
How do I design and print my button graphics?
American Button Machines offers free printable PDF templates sized to every ABM button diameter, plus Build-a-Button, an online design tool. Print your graphics on standard printer paper, cut them out with a circle cutter or punch, and they are ready to press.
Can schools and libraries order a button maker with a purchase order?
Yes. American Button Machines accepts purchase orders from schools, libraries, and government organizations. Details are on the Purchase Orders page, or call (972) 985-5074 to speak with the team directly.
Ready To Make Your Buttons? Shop Supplies By Size
Every template on this page is built to match a standard button size. Pick the size you are printing and we will show you the pinback buttons, magnets, key chains and other supplies that fit it. All orders ship from our Plano, Texas warehouse, and purchase orders from schools, libraries and government agencies are always welcome.
Not sure which size you need?
Our button size guide walks through what each size is commonly used for, from 1" classroom reward buttons up to 3.5" campaign and photo buttons. If you would rather talk it through, call us at (972) 985-5074.