My thoughts making DIY pin-backed buttons.
I recently got a button/badge maker that creates three different sized pin-back buttons. In this post, I shared my thoughts and experiences using the machine for the first time.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
Package Contents
I received this product as a gift from my Dad. He bought it from Amazon.com and insisted that it was on sale during Prime Day in July 2022.
Dad did not share the original product link with me, but I believe the product is identical (if not the exact product) to this Aiment Button Maker Machine product listing.
The package contents included:
Button maker machine
1-inch button parts*
1.73-inch button parts*
3-inch button parts*
1-inch rotary cutter
1.73-inch rotary cutter
3-inch rotary cutter
1-inch mold (2 pieces)
1.73-inch mold (2 pieces)
3-inch mold (2 pieces)
3 small bolts
2 hex wrenches
"Operations manual"
"Extra magic book"
*The button parts included:
100 metal shells
100 plastic pin-back buttons
100 pre-cut clear film sheets
100 pre-cut paper sheets
Each mold came with a sample button to illustrate the button size it would create.
My Biggest Mistake
The biggest mistake I made was not triple checking the film sheets. The sheets are so thin and stick to one another. When I thought I had separated one film sheet from a bunch, it often turned out that I had three film sheets stuck together.
When I attempted to make a button with more than one film sheet in the mold, the film would not wrap around the metal shell and paper image. It also prevented anything from pressing onto the plastic pin-backed button.
I thought I used single film sheets, but I was wrong. Unfortunately, this was a mistake I made often until I watched non-company created videos online. Many button maker owners identified this as their biggest mistake as well. Sadly, I was unable to reuse an already pressed film sheet for a second or third attempt.
I was unable to fix my Orange Bird button, but I was able to fix a couple other buttons I initially attempted with multiple film sheets. Unfortunately, there were wrinkles and exposed film sheet edges when I attempted to redo a failed button. These are not buttons I would gift to anyone because of the uneven image surface.
Other Mistakes I Made
The first mistake I made was placing the plastic pin-back button into the mold upside down. The English directions on the "operations manual" stated that I should place it "pin side up." I easily confused myself and assumed this meant the side where you would open or access the pin button should face upward in the mold. Naturally, this did not work because that side should be placed down in the mold.
Another mistake I made was pressing down too hard while using the rotary cutters. I do not know why I applied so much pressure initially, but it always resulted in rough, ragged edges of the paper. It only required light pressure for an even, clean cut of paper.
Lastly, I could not get the plastic pin-back button to align properly with the image. It shifted every time I pressed down on the first half of the mold that combined the metal shell, paper image, and film sheet together.
I tried placing the plastic pin-back button differently with each new button I made, but it always shifted after the first of two presses. While the misalignment is minor, I wished I could make at least one button where the pin-back aligned properly with the image.
Maybe mounting the button maker onto the table would help with this minor mistake? There are holes for screwing the machine onto a tabletop, but I do not want a permanent mounting solution to make it easier to store away when it is not in use.
Again, the misalignment is minor. I will just make sure I do not gift a button to someone with OCD unless they are a frenemy.
How I Will Use This More Than Once
I wondered how often I would actually use this machine. When will I need or want to make buttons? How often will I need or want to make buttons? How many buttons would I make when I eventually decide to make any?
I sometimes think of ways to justify the purchase of a product. I know this machine was gifted to me by my selfless and awesome Dad, but it cost him a pretty penny to get it for me. Fortunately, I have a lot of parts and pieces to make a lot of buttons that I can imagine.
My friends and I are Disney Parks fans. I believe it will be fun to make large pin-back buttons like the 3-inch complimentary buttons guests can get at Walt Disney World (WDW). I drafted several designs I will create as digital art to make unique buttons that only the three of us will own.
I want to make buttons I can gift to others. Holiday celebrations, special occasions, and announcements are ideas that come to mind. Buttons could make decent party favors or conference check-in freebies.
If I was still working in the office, I would definitely make my colleagues buttons with an inside joke about their specialty in the office. For example, if someone was nicknamed "The Diffuser," I would create a button with that nickname for them as an inside joke. Only those in the know would understand the meaning of it.
The next time I present at a conference, I will make small pin-back buttons to give away to attendees. Engagement is key in the classroom, training room, and presentation room.
Something as simple as a free button may encourage some attendees to engage with the presentation and one another. It may seem childish to some people, but after two decades giving presentations to large groups of people, sometimes something childish is something a person needs to energize someone who spent hours or days at a conference.
I could make a few different designs, call it a collection, and offer attendees additional buttons depending on their engagement during a presentation. For example, if someone asks a question, answers a question, or shares a meaningful comment related to the topic, I could let them choose a button to add to their collection.
If there are attendees who do not care about the buttons, I could encourage them to give it to another attendee who does want to collect them. This could potentially encourage attendees to begin networking with one another.
If I could ever get over the fear of failing at owning my own small business, I would like to turn original digital designs and hand painted artwork into buttons I could sell at a craft fair or through an online shop for a couple dollars.
Of course, I do not mind giving buttons away for free if it puts a smile on someone's face.
My Thoughts
At the time of writing this blog post, I have used this button maker for a week. Once I got the hang of making buttons, I have been enjoying myself!
Assembly and disassembly were quick and easy to do. Making the buttons, once I realized the mistakes I made, was easy enough for a child to do.
It does not take a lot of pressure or strength to use the machine. However, rotary cutters have with sharp blades and are not suitable for young children, careless teenagers, or accident prone adults.
There were a few dented metal blanks that kept the piece from fitting into the mold. It was easy to fix with a needle nose pliers.
I would recommend this for anyone who wants to create their own pin-back buttons to sell or gift to others. There are plenty of parts to make many buttons whenever I want or for an event.
I can especially see teachers using this machine. In the first grade, my teacher gave each student a large pin-back button with our names. We were asked to wear it for a few weeks so everyone could learn one another's names easily.
Throughout the school year, my first-grade teacher would give us smaller pin-back buttons to celebrate an event like Earth Day or Respect Week. We were always excited to receive a button more than a sticker.
I wish I had this button maker before my niece's gender reveal celebration. Each family member was asked to guess the sex of the baby before the big reveal. It could have been a nice extra touch for everyone to wear a button with their guess if they wanted to.
My mind is filled with a number of different uses for buttons. At the very least, I can cut out all of the images included in the "extra magic book" to making into buttons. Because of this, I am excited about the ways I can use the button maker. Even if I only use the machine and set it on a shelf for a few months, I believe I can always find a use for it.
What's Next?
There are a few more products I got as part of My July 2022 Prime Day Haul I have yet to use. When I do use a few of these products, I will be sure to share my thoughts and experiences with you!
What would you use a button maker for? Comment below to share what type of designs you would make with a button maker.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
Hello SJJ-
I ordered and received this same model. I was set to send it back within a half an hour of opening it.
Your video has inspired me to go back and take a second look. It is an expensive purchase but not more than some of the others out there for only one size button. I was not happy with the plastic backs at first either and definitely do not want them shifting as I am planning on giving these to my students. I am also concerned that this button maker will not accept replacement metal backs as there is not much information on the "manual".
Thank you again for the video, and if I can get it…