1.0" Button Maker
The 1" Button Maker Machine is the smallest press in our American-made round lineup, and the size teachers, librarians, photographers, and crafters reach for when the design needs to stay compact enough for a lapel, lanyard, locker, or refrigerator door. Each machine ships with a starter pack of 10 complete 1" pin-back button sets, 10 medallion sets, and our 1" Crimp Die Adapter — a $17.95 value, included free — which lets the same press make plastic-back medallion buttons.
It's made from American steel and backed by our lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. The same press is shipped to elementary art rooms, summer reading programs at branch libraries, wedding photographers running booth giveaways, and Etsy crafters fulfilling weekly orders out of a spare bedroom.
What's in the Box
- 1" Button Maker press (Model #100, all-metal cam-on-roller construction, USA-built)
- 10 complete 1" pin-back button sets with spring pins (shells, backs, mylar)
- 10 complete 1" medallion sets (shells, plastic backs, mylar)
- 1" Crimp Die Adapter ($17.95 value, included free) — converts the press to make plastic-back medallions
- Lifetime warranty against defects in materials or workmanship
1" Button Maker Specs
| Finished Button Size | 1 inch round |
|---|---|
| Press Type | Cam-on-roller hand press with two-station swivel die set |
| Construction | All-metal frame, USA steel |
| Footprint | Compact tabletop — fits a classroom desk, library cart, or photographer's event table |
| Power Required | None. Manual operation. No electricity, no compressed air, no software. |
| Time Per Button | About 8–12 seconds once a graphic is cut to size |
| What It Makes | 1" pin-back buttons, 1" medallion back buttons (with the included adapter), magnets, zipper pulls, key chains, jewelry medallions, mirror backs |
| Warranty | Lifetime against manufacturing defects; Ultimate Extended Warranty available |
Who the 1" Press Is For
Schools and Teachers
One inch is small enough to clip onto a name badge or a backpack strap without weighing it down — which is why elementary teachers reach for this size for reading incentives, kindness-of-the-week pins, and "I voted in our class election" rewards. School counselors and PTOs run a press through Friday spirit days. High school art teachers use the same machine for graduation keepsakes seniors will actually keep.
Libraries
One-inch buttons go a long way during summer reading programs because every patron walks out with one, and the 1" supply cost stretches a fixed program budget further than 2.25" can. Branch librarians pin them on lanyards as staff badges. Children's librarians hand them out as "I finished my reading log!" rewards. Adults use them for Banned Books Week, comic con night, or true-crime book club. Also consider our dedicated Library Button Maker Kit collection, which has higher-volume bundles.
Photographers
Looking to offer something different to your clients? Drop in a magnet back instead of a pin back, and the same press becomes a 1" photo magnet maker — handy for baby reveals, senior portrait giveaways, and event-booth swag where guests pick a favorite shot and walk away with a tiny round magnet for the fridge.
Crafters and Small Makers
Etsy and craft-fair sellers use the 1" press to produce earring blanks, charm-bracelet links, fascinator accents, ponytail holders, and zipper pulls. Pair the press with our jewelry findings, zipper pull blanks, or key chain blanks to expand your product line without buying a second piece of equipment.
Churches, Nonprofits, and Community Programs
Vacation Bible School groups, youth ministry teams, donor recognition events, and volunteer appreciation programs use the 1" press for low-cost keepsake production. Recreational sports leagues run a press through team photo nights, where every player on the team gets a personalized button to take home. The compact size suits high-volume program runs where unit cost matters.
How It Works
The press uses a two-station swivel die system. You drop a button shell into the first station, lay your printed graphic over it, top with a mylar protective film, and press once. Swivel the die set to the second station, drop in the pin-back, and press a second time. That's the whole button.
For walkthroughs, see the full How to Make a Button guide and the video library.
What Sets This Press Apart
- Cam-on-roller mechanism. The press uses a roller cam rather than a screw or a lever-only design, so it takes very little hand force to complete a stroke. A 100-button run completes without operator fatigue.
- Full-stroke verification. The press won't release a half-made button — you either complete the press or the shell stays in the die. No more shells popping out half-crimped.
- Self-aligning swivel. Upper and lower dies lock into place every time the swivel rotates. You're never eyeballing the alignment.
- Designed for ABM's full 1" supply lineup. Shells, backs, magnets, mylar, mirror backs, zipper pulls, and key chains from our 1" supply catalog all fit consistently — no trial-and-error to get a clean crimp.
- Tight tolerances on the shell-to-mylar fit. You don't lose 5% of every supply order to crooked crimps the way you do with cheaper imports.
- USA steel, USA assembly, USA warranty. Replacement parts and service ship from Texas, not from overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 1" Button Maker make magnets too?
Yes. You'll need to buy 1" magnet backs separately, but you don't need a second machine.
How small is a 1" button, really?
About the diameter of a U.S. quarter (very slightly larger). 1" has been a standard campaign and lapel button size since the celluloid pinback era of the 1890s and remains one of the most popular collectible sizes.
Should I get the 1" or move up to 1.25"?
Go with 1" if you want a discreet, lapel-friendly size for keepsakes, photo work, jewelry-scale crafts, library reading rewards, or photo magnets that won't dominate a refrigerator. Choose 1.25" if you're producing high-volume runs for campaigns, craft fairs, school spirit days, or promotional swag where a slightly larger, more readable face matters.
Do you sell 1" supplies separately?
Yes — the full 1" button supply lineup, plus magnet backs, mylar films, and jewelry components. The starter pack on this press is enough to test the workflow; most buyers reorder supplies in 100, 250, or 500 packs once they know their typical volume.
Is there a warranty?
Lifetime against manufacturing defects, plus an optional Ultimate Extended Warranty for buyers who want full coverage including normal wear.
What You'll Want Next
Ultimate Extended Warranty
This press qualifies for American Button Machines' Ultimate Extended Warranty — full coverage including normal wear, available at checkout.
Choosing the Right Kit
The main difference between our button maker kits is the type of paper cutter and design software included. See how to choose a button maker kit for the full comparison.
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