How to Choose a Button Size
Shop the complete button making kit for each size shown above.
What button sizes does ABM offer?
ABM offers round button makers in eight diameters — 1", 1.25", 1.5", 1.75", 2.25", 3", 3.5", and 6" — plus rectangle (1.75"×2.75" and 2"×3"), oval (1.75"×2.75"), and square (2"×2") machines. Select a size below to see what you can make with it.
Or browse all button maker machines in one place.
What is the most popular button size?
The 2.25" button maker is ABM's best-selling machine. At roughly the diameter of a soda can top, it is large enough to be read at a distance but small enough to wear comfortably on a jacket or lanyard.
Schools use this size for student rewards, events, and name tags — it supports the widest back variety and is the only size that makes bottle openers and rosette awards.
What are the best small button sizes?
1" Button Maker — Smallest available
The 1" button is the smallest ABM offers. The finished button is approximately the size of a quarter. It carries the widest range of specialty backs of any small size: earrings, tie tacks, medallions, bracelets, rings, magnetic jewelry, zipper pulls, badge reels, and ponytail holders. These are all exclusive to 1".
After pressing, the spring pin must be inserted by hand. Prefer a pre-inserted pin? Step up to the 1.25".
1.25" Button Maker — Best for students and musicians
The 1.25" button is only fractionally larger than the 1" but comes with the pin pre-inserted in the back — no extra step required. This size is extremely popular with students, artists, and musicians who want a wearable mini button without the extra assembly. It also supports keychains, zipper pulls, badge reels, purse hangers, and metal flat backs.
What size button maker is best for photo buttons?
For buttons featuring a photograph, 3" and 3.5" button makers are the standard. The larger canvas lets you include a full-bleed photo, circular text, and an accent ring, all on one button. Photographers, sports teams, and political campaigns consistently choose these sizes.
Both 3" and 3.5" machines effortlessly accommodate standard printer paper and photo paper. The 3.5" size is also the only size that makes coasters.
For all photo button kits, visit our professional 3-in-1 button making kits, which bundle the machine, circle cutter, and supplies together.
ABM machines are built in the USA from heavy-gauge steel — off-brand machines have a high failure rate and can damage artwork mid-run. Thicker photo paper works in the 2.25" machine with ABM's dedicated photo punch.
Every ABM press produces more than pinback buttons. Swap the back component and make magnets, mirrors, keychains, and more. Hover to pause.
Button Size Chart — What Can I Make?
Use this chart to see every product type available at each button and pin size. A checkmark means the back type is compatible with that machine model.
| Product Type | 1" | 1.25" | 1.5" | 1.75" | 2.25" | 3" | 3.5" | 6" | Rect 1.75×2.75" | Sq 2×2" | Rect 2×3" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Back Buttons | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Magnets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Key Chains | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Ponytail Holders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Badge Reels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Earrings | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Tie Tacks | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Medallions | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Metal Flat Backs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Bracelets & Rings | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Magnetic Jewelry | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Zipper Pulls | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Flashing Buttons | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Bulldog Clips | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Bottle Openers | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Necklaces | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Coasters | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Ornaments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Rosettes | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Clocks | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Fabric Buttons* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Fabric buttons can be made in sizes 1" through 3.5" using the Red-n-Black Fabric Button Machine. Contact ABM at (972) 985-5074 for availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard button size?
What is the most popular button size for schools?
What size button maker do I need for photo buttons?
What is the smallest button size ABM offers?
What size button maker makes the best fabric-covered buttons?
Can I make magnets with any button maker?
Still not sure which size is right for you?
Call us at (972) 985-5074. ABM's team can walk you through the options based on your project, budget, and audience. We are a family-run business and take every call personally.