Students, faculty, and staff can check out this machine (Library-use only) to create 1 inch buttons. 

IMPORTANT! You must purchase your own supplies from https://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/.

Please do not purchase materials from other button makers since they will not work with our machine.

The Button maker has two parts - the paper cutter and actual button making machine.

There are 5 components for successfully making a pin-back button:

     Plastic cover                                Silver ring                       

                                                  Paper image                

      Pin-back                                        Button base

The paper cutter is used to cut paper to measure to the dimensions of the button. Here's how to use it:

Insert the paper under the barcode into the slot (pictured left).

Push down the handle lever to cut the paper.

Then, use your finger to push the metal cylindrical piece under the paper, to push the paper through.

A circular piece of paper specifically measured to the button size remains (pictured right).

Create a 'sandwich' inside of the left indented ring (pictured left) to include: 

Button base (bottom), paper (middle), plastic (top). 

Insert the Silver ring in the right indented ring side. (pictured left)

NOTE: The silver ring should fit perfectly on this side. If it does not, it is the wrong side.

After the components are in place, spin the machine in the direction where the left indented ring is placed under the handle and press down (pictured left). This step will suck up the components in the machine and will no longer be visible.

Repeat this step with the right side to seal the button with the silver ring. After this step, the finished button remains in the right indented ring (pictured left).    

Insert the pin-back on the back of the button, away from you for safety. For magnets, peel the backing and stick to the back of the pin. That's it!