How to Make Button Pin (Badge Maker Machine Press)

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How to Make Button Pin (Badge Maker Machine Press)

Making your own pin back button badges is one of the most satisfying and instant-gratification crafts you can try!

Whether you're designing pins for parties, selling custom buttons at a maker space, or just making flair to decorate your backpack, learning to use a button maker kit is a skill that brings much fun and tons of creative possibilities.

Let's get started!

Dum-Dums Lollipop Wrappers

I personally use the classic Badge-a-minit hand held press, but since these presses are no longer made, I’ve gathered a few reliable plastic button makers, metal presses, and professional-style machines you can buy today.

Load the Button Maker Every machine is a little different, but the general method is the same. Here's the overall workflow: STEP A — Load the Pickup Die Place items into the first die in this order: Metal button face Artwork (face-up) Mylar Check that nothing overhangs the die — this affects the ease of use and prevents wrinkling. STEP B — Press the Front Pull the handle to crimp the layers together. If your machine has a rotating base, spin it to the crimp die for the next operation. STEP C — Add the Back Piece Drop the back piece into the second die with the pin backing facing down or aligned per your machine’s instructions. STEP D — Finish the Button Press again, and the machine will wrap the metal shell around the back piece, creating your final button. Your own buttons are ready!

No matter which type of machine you choose, the process is almost always the same — gather your button components, cut your artwork, and press your final button!

Let’s walk through the complete process step-by-step using any button machine, from handheld tools to full inch machine systems equipped with a rotating base, pickup die, and crimp die.

I personally use the classic Badge-a-minit hand held press, but since these presses are no longer made, I’ve gathered a few reliable plastic button makers, metal presses, and professional-style machines you can buy today. No matter which type of machine you choose, the process is almost always the same — gather your button components, cut your artwork, and press your final button! Let’s walk through the complete process step-by-step using any button machine, from handheld tools to full inch machine systems equipped with a rotating base, pickup die, and crimp die.

BUTTON MAKER BADGE MACHINES:

affiliate links

These are all Round Buttons machines, some other shapes are available online. Note the different sizes, some of these machines are interchangeable...read carefully to make sure you get what you want!

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ALLDEER BUTTON-MAKER

USE CODE: YMRM6783

BUTTON MAKER BADGE MACHINES: affiliate links These are all Round Buttons machines, some other shapes are available online. Note the different sizes, some of these machines are interchangeable...read carefully to make sure you get what you want! Button Maker with Interchangeable 1.25" and 2.25" Badges Vevor Button Maker with Interchangeable 1, 1.25" and 2.28" badges Button Badge Pin Maker with Interchangeable 1, 1.25" and 2.25" badges Japard Button Maker in 1.25" Badges Happizza Button Machine with Interchangeable 1.25", 2.25" and 3" Badges MK.Bear Button Maker with Interchangeable 1.25", 2.25" and 3" Badges Happizza Button Machine with Interchangeable 1.25", 2.25" and 3" Badges (ALL METAL)

Wasp Nest Paper

You can use any brand or configuration, but here’s what the process generally requires:

A button press or button pin maker (Options include American Button Machines, Tecre-style machines, or generic plastic button makers.)
Button parts (also called button components) These include the metal button face, Mylar cover, back piece, and pin backing.
A button template that matches the size of button (usually measured in inch buttons, such as 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2.25", etc.)
Paper printed on inkjet or laser printers (Lightweight paper works BEST--candy wrappers, chip bags, wasp nest paper, wrapping paper, napkins and more!)
Circle cutters, die cutter, or a graphic punch
A cutting board with rotary cutter, or pair of scissors

*Note: This does not include fabric button maker tools for covering plastic buttons with fabric

Napkin

Whichever machine you pick, be sure to check the standard sizes it works with, because each press only fits one or a few button diameters. Selecting the right size is essential for your button components to fit.

Wrapping Paper

Print and Cut Your Artwork

Print your designs using an inkjet or laser printer. Make sure your artwork file includes or is at least aware of:

A full circle
Outer cut lines
Inner safe-zone lines

To cut your circles, you can use:

Circle cutters
A die cutter with the correct size
A specialty graphic punch (super quick!)
Or even a pair of scissors in a pinch

Line up your design using the printed cut lines to ensure perfect alignment.

Print and Cut Your Artwork Print your designs using an inkjet or laser printer. Make sure your artwork file includes or is at least aware of: A full circle Outer cut lines Inner safe-zone lines To cut your circles, you can use: Circle cutters A die cutter with the correct size A specialty graphic punch (super quick!) Or even a pair of scissors in a pinch Line up your design using the printed cut lines to ensure perfect alignment.

Chips Bag

Prepare the Button Components

A typical set of button parts includes:

The button face (the metal shell)
Printed artwork
Clear Mylar film
The back piece with the pin backing (also known as back buttons)

Lay them out on your table so you’re ready for the next step.

Prepare the Button Components A typical set of button parts includes: The button face (the metal shell) Printed artwork Clear Mylar film The back piece with the pin backing (also known as back buttons) Lay them out on your table so you’re ready for the next step.

Kool-Aid Package

Load the Button Maker

Every machine is a little different, but the general method is the same. Here's the overall workflow:

STEP A — Load the Pickup Die

Place items into the first die in this order:

Metal button face
Artwork (face-up)
Mylar

Check that nothing overhangs the die — this affects the ease of use and prevents wrinkling.

STEP B — Press the Front

Pull the handle to crimp the layers together.

If your machine has a rotating base, spin it to the crimp die for the next operation.

STEP C — Add the Back Piece

Drop the back piece into the second die with the pin backing facing down or aligned per your machine’s instructions.

STEP D — Finish the Button

Press again, and the machine will wrap the metal shell around the back piece, creating your final button.

Your own buttons are ready!

So many cool things to Button!

That's it!

Whether you’re using a classic handheld press, a budget plastic button maker, or a pro-quality machine from American Button Machines, making your own button pins is incredibly satisfying.

The process is fast, the supplies are inexpensive, and the creativity is unlimited.

Once you get the hang of your machine’s upper die, pickup die, and crimp die, you’ll be able to whip up a whole batch of custom badges in minutes.

Creating your own buttons is the perfect blend of crafting and design — and truly so much fun.

Now that you know the steps, grab your artwork, prep your button template, gather your button parts, and start pressing!

Like, Pin and Save!

Whether you’re using a classic handheld press, a budget plastic button maker, or a pro-quality machine from American Button Machines, making your own button pins is incredibly satisfying. The process is fast, the supplies are inexpensive, and the creativity is unlimited. Once you get the hang of your machine’s upper die, pickup die, and crimp die, you’ll be able to whip up a whole batch of custom badges in minutes. Creating your own buttons is the perfect blend of crafting and design — and truly so much fun. Now that you know the steps, grab your artwork, prep your button template, gather your button parts, and start pressing!

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER BADGE BUTTON IDEAS!

How to Make Dum-Dums Wrapper Button Badges DIY Craft

If you love candy and creative upcycling, you’re going to love this project! 🍭

Today we’re turning Dum-Dums lollipop wrappers into adorable button badges using a Badge-a-Minit 1.25" button machine.

These little pins are a fun way to give new life to your candy wrappers, and they make the perfect stocking stuffers, party favors, or jacket and backpack flair.

How to Make Dum-Dums Wrapper Button Badges DIY Craft If you love candy and creative upcycling, you’re going to love this project! 🍭 Today we’re turning Dum-Dums lollipop wrappers into adorable button badges using a Badge-a-Minit 1.25" button machine. These little pins are a fun way to give new life to your candy wrappers, and they make the perfect stocking stuffers, party favors, or jacket and backpack flair.

How to Make Grinch Hershey's Kisses Wrapper into Badge

If your holiday season includes sweet treats and a little crafty fun, this project is going to make your heart grow three sizes! 💚

Today we’re upcycling Hershey’s Kisses Grinch-themed candy wrappers into adorable button badges using the Badge-a-Minit 1.25" button machine.

How to Make Grinch Hershey's Kisses Wrapper into Badge If your holiday season includes sweet treats and a little crafty fun, this project is going to make your heart grow three sizes! 💚 Today we’re upcycling Hershey’s Kisses Grinch-themed candy wrappers into adorable button badges using the Badge-a-Minit 1.25" button machine.

Make Pinback Button Maker Gift Tags DIY with HTVRONT

Make custom name button pinback badges with HTVRONT Button Maker and use them for personalized gift tags!

Do you have a name that is spelled uniquely? Is it hard to find personalized keychains at a gas station or gift shop?

This fun craft will solve all those problems--with making high quality button pin backs--use them as a name tag or a personal gift tag for those handmade Christmas gifts!

Make Pinback Button Maker Gift Tags DIY with HTVRONT Make custom name button pinback badges with HTVRONT Button Maker and use them for personalized gift tags! Do you have a name that is spelled uniquely? Is it hard to find personalized keychains at a gas station or gift shop? This fun craft will solve all those problems--with making high quality button pin backs--use them as a name tag or a personal gift tag for those handmade Christmas gifts!

Unicorn Horn Animal Buttons with Googly Eyes DIY!

Turn every animal into a Unicorn! These cute animals make the cutest pin-back badges.

Llamicorn, Slothicorn, foxicorn, lionicorn, pandicorn, bunnicorn--or rabbicorn, puppycorn--or dogicorn, caticorn--or kitticorn...which is your favorite!?

During one Sunday at church I had this fun idea of making animals with unicorn horns.

I doodled on my ipad and worked out these cute animals. I left the eyes off for the perfect googly eye addition.