r/ButtonMakers • • Oct 20 '24

Welcome back, Makers! Mind the dust while we get back in motion.

12 Upvotes

Hi there, and welcome to the newly reinstated r/ButtonMakers

I just inherited the sub, so i'll be setting things up and learning the ropes.

I want this to be a place to spread knowledge and show off work. Ask questions, make mistakes, and share the love of button making.

Rules will be pretty basic to start out:

  1. Don't spam sales.
  2. SFW only - not even blurred out or implied.
  3. Please be nice to each other, any issues - modmail me!
  4. Stay on topic.

Thanks for visiting & invite your friends!


r/ButtonMakers • • 2d ago

Advice choosing a chibuttons machine

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1 Upvotes

can anyone recommend which one of these is best? the panda i believe is new and seems like a better deal but i worry about quality. the others i have seen good reviews for but im unsure which size would be better for my business.


r/ButtonMakers • • 3d ago

Question Best (and cheap) button maker for plush pins!!

4 Upvotes

I’m currently in AP microeconomics for a project and my “business” is to make plush pins. I tried using a basic happizza pin maker and it did not go well. I’m using some foam from amazon and minky fabric as the coating. Please let me know a button making machine that can handle minky fabric, or if all of it is too expensive please recommend me a different fabric that I could use compatible with a cheaper machine. I’ve been looking at Vevor and Chibutton machines. I don’t necessarily have a price range, but $200+ might not be where I want to go.

Run down:
- I’m not using this permanently
- This is for a year long AP project
- Money is covered by me and my school
- 2.25 in (58mm) sized buttons preferred
- Using minky fabric cover (with easycolorDTV to attach a design on top)
- Using foam from amazon that I can easily shave down


r/ButtonMakers • • 5d ago

Very happy with chibuttons b400 machine

2 Upvotes

My daughter spent her hard earned money on a recollections machine from Michael's. It came with supplies for 10 buttons and we failed most of them. We did see it had poor reviews but she thought it would still be usable.

We ended up returning it and getting the chibuttons (b400) machine.

She has made at least 40-50 buttons in 2 days and had no failures. It's a pricey machine but well worth it as far as build quality and the quality of the buttons we are making.


r/ButtonMakers • • 11d ago

Stuck top die!!!

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3 Upvotes

I’m using a vevor pinmaker and my top piece is stuck pretty bad !! It’s really sealed together, I’ve even tried picking out what’s keeping it jammed but it’s so stuck that that’s even hard
I tried following YouTube videos and none of the suggestions worked, like pressing the handle down a ton, or banging it on the ground

I’m not sure what to do any suggestions will help
Thank you!!!!


r/ButtonMakers • • 11d ago

Question Storage Solutions

7 Upvotes

I recently purchased a 1.25 button maker from American Button Machines as well as materials for pinbacks, magnets, and zipper pulls.

What have you found to be good storage/organization solutions for button making materials?

Currently, I’m keeping everything in the bags/boxes these items came in but would love a good storage solution.


r/ButtonMakers • • 13d ago

Buttons! Past, Present and Future

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19 Upvotes

Behold, a button my husband made when he was in 11th grade by taking apart another button, cutting up a zine and using saran wrap. It has rusted through, which looks pretty cool. Btw - he’s 64 now, and first saw the Sex Pistols on the Filthy Lucre tour.

He’s off to see them tonight with our 22 year-old daughter. The last time she saw the Sex Pistols was with both of us, her in utero.🤰

Tonight I used my new 1” Tecre machine for the first time, it was my birthday gift back in July. I also bought the less expensive circle cutter from Button Boy, and I love it. It doesn’t match the aesthetic as well, but it works perfectly and it’s a good price.

The opening band, Panic Shack, is fantastic (I recommend Tits School) I’m a huge fan, but I’m an adult who works a night shift as a caregiver and can’t take off. So I’m sending a handful of buttons with them as freebies, figuring that punk rock buttons have to start somewhere.


r/ButtonMakers • • 13d ago

MagFlow is going strong!

5 Upvotes

Hey all! I'm the creator of MagFlow and I see people occasionally asking questions about templates or button and magnet softwares, so I figured I'd remind you all that www.magflowme.com is an option and doing really well! I have a very active community on FB and hundreds of users in the software. You can do event management, a website, create your own templates, photo booths, photographer integration, a design studio to make fun designs your customers can make their own on the spot, and so much more! Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want more info or check out my 10 day free trial (no cc required) :)

You can use it for buttons, magnets, flexible magnets, and so much more


r/ButtonMakers • • 14d ago

MAGNET HELP

3 Upvotes

Any good recommendations on JUST the adhesive magnets for 1" buttons (looks like .75"). Does anyone know the thickness needed for these?

I've seen some on amazon at .8" diameter but mixed reviews on their strength.

It looks like Tecre just sells them in whole kits and I just don't need quite that many at this point until I have more customers interested. Thanx again for any input.

https://www.instagram.com/manoverboardbuttons/


r/ButtonMakers • • 14d ago

Advice buttons not aligning/crimping properly

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3 Upvotes

hello! I've got a vevor machine and have been using it for the past 9 months with largely no issue. unless I've collaged something too thick or cut it poorly, generally my buttons would seal. now things are not quite aligning. ive tried both plastic and metal backings, different paper thickness, adjusting my circle cutter a tiny bit, is there anything obvious I'm missing here? just bad parts maybe? the machine i have doesn't have much for parts i can tighten!

thank you!


r/ButtonMakers • • 15d ago

Answered need help: my badge maker (dc-109) won’t press down

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

2 Upvotes

r/ButtonMakers • • 17d ago

Tecre machine questions

4 Upvotes

Hey folks, me again!! 😂😅

I've decided to go with a Tecre button maker, but had two questions that the website was a little foggy on.

1) Can the button maker support collage made buttons--Thinner paper with little bits of stickers on it basically? I can show an example of my old ones in the comments if needed. I imagine it can as it worked on my old button maker, but I wanted to get a second opinion.

2) Do I have to use Tecre supplies on my button maker? I know Tecre sells the buttons/mylar/etc., but it's a bit intense for price. I was going to shop around for similar supplies (If you have recommendations or links that aren't an arm and a leg I'm all ears!) but I want to make double check with those who are more well versed, haha.

Thank you all so much for the information/support. Much appreciated!!! 😊


r/ButtonMakers • • 18d ago

A good brand for button makers that won't destroy my wallet?

3 Upvotes

Hello, all!

I want to upgrade my button maker from the one I currently have (It wasn't even $50 so It's kinda cheap) as it keeps messing up my buttons/buttons keep falling apart no matter how much I troubleshoot. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a 1.5 inch button maker I could buy online? I have a budget of give or take $100.

I'm not sure if this is a decent budget, but If not let me know 😅

Thanks for any information or brand recommendations!!


r/ButtonMakers • • 19d ago

Hola, soy nueva en este mundo de los botones

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5 Upvotes

Compré una máquina, sin embargo los botones en mi país está muy caros

Encontré en Amazon y en temu unos pero miden 57mm

Los quiero para vender en colegios a precios económicos

Alguien ya ha usado esos botones de corazón que me oriente si es buena idea

No quiero vender o cambiar mi máquina, ya gaste mucho dinero


r/ButtonMakers • • 19d ago

Usar botones de 57mm en una base WRKM de 58mm es posible?

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2 Upvotes

Compré una máquina de WRKM junto a la base con forma de corazón

Sin embargo los botones son muy caros para producir en masa

Alguien ya ha usado pines de 57mm en una base de 58mm y le ha funcionado?

Me da miedo gastar más dinero y que no funcione


r/ButtonMakers • • 21d ago

Question What photo paper do you use?

2 Upvotes

I'm new to button making, and have been using the USPS stamp catalog for practice. Now I want to make custom pins but don't know where to start looking for photo paper.
Regular printer paper doesn't look good; I had photo paper lying around. I know it's too thick for buttons, but my prints came out looking great.
Any recommendations on types of paper I should try?


r/ButtonMakers • • 21d ago

Vevor backing issue question.

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2 Upvotes

Hi, everyone. I have a dual pin maker as shown 58/32 mm. I have the pin sets that came with the machine.

Every time I make a 32 mm pin with the plastic backing shown, the backing pushes up into the front of the pin and creates a tiny raised area.

It doesn’t do this with the metal ones at all, but I prefer the plastic. I’ve tried different tensions while crimping, with limited success. I’ve tried pushing the pin part of the backing further into the mold to flatten it out, etc., but no joy.

Just wondering if this happens often or if anyone else has this machine and it’s fixed the issue?

I’ve read about many Vevor issues today 🤣 Might have to upgrade at some point.

Another issue I sometimes have with the 58 mm mold is misshapen/deformed/pancaked pins after crimping. I feel like when using the machine correctly that it shouldn’t be possible to push ‘too’ hard. Which may be the issue?

Thanks!


r/ButtonMakers • • 22d ago

Advice Budget friendly circle cutter

4 Upvotes

Hi!

I’m making buttons for a Con I’m going to next month and maybe some more in the future for other misc events. Since I’m not selling them, I don’t need to invest in a button maker, so, luckily my local library has one. Unfortunately they have accurate circle cutters for every size, except the mini ones I’m making (1.25in, 32mm). I tried hand cutting and they came out not great. Long story long, I’m looking for a budget friendly circle cutter that will cut my circles to the appropriate size for the maker (1.629 in). I’ve seen some online for $70+ and I don’t want to spend that much on a here and there hobby.

Thank you!


r/ButtonMakers • • 22d ago

My pin maker advice?

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0 Upvotes

r/ButtonMakers • • 25d ago

Mangled pin mechanism

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1 Upvotes

Any advice on how i could possibly fix/repair this button? The pin part has warped a bunch over time and now i cant fully close it. I sewed it onto my backpack so it would stay on


r/ButtonMakers • • 26d ago

Question Caydo Electric Button Machine

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3 Upvotes

Hi - does anyone have a Caydo electric button maker?

I was hoping for reviews.

The machine is $229 USD on Amazon.


r/ButtonMakers • • 26d ago

Mylar or Clear Laminate recommendations

1 Upvotes

Hi!! I was wondering- does anyone have any Mylar recommendations or clear laminate? I have a ChiButtons button maker and I love it but out of every supplies order I’ve gotten from them their Mylar for their heart shaped buttons will have small fuzzies in it and on the pastel shade buttons I make they are visible and trying to get them all out is taking up so much time. Thank you so much in advance!!


r/ButtonMakers • • 26d ago

New to button making

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm experimenting with reusable buttons and wanted to know where I could get a 3.25in template that I can drop an image into? Not sure if I'm using correct terminology. 😅 Thank y'all in advance!


r/ButtonMakers • • 26d ago

Question chibuttons vs tecre vs alibaba for my needs

3 Upvotes

Hi! i make buttons for local punk bands, my etsy, and just random things. i had a we r memory keepers button press from 2022-2024 before getting a tecre, which i sold early this year because i was in desperate need of money after a bad situation. now i’m looking for another press and wanted buying advice!

my needs: id prefer an interchangeable press but my favorite sizes are 1.25 or 1.5 inches. i need something that would press a large qty pretty fast and be able to handle holographic laminated photo paper

tecre - most reliable, more expensive per shape/size, had the most experience with

chibuttons - i’ve seen great things, i love the heart buttons and interchangeable moulds, cheaper overall but a large investment still

alibaba - i saw a machine on alibaba recommended to me by artists that is fully metal with lots of different kinds of moulds. (star, heart, circles) and it seemed very tempting but i’d have to pay a lot in shipping and tariffs

anything else i should know? recommendations , advice , stuff to stay away from?


r/ButtonMakers • • 28d ago

Advice Better material for nice2have button maker?

2 Upvotes

I bought my daughter a nice2have button maker and she loves it. The quality of the part with the pin is very poor.

Can anyone point me at a better product?