Best Button Makers for Pins, Badges and Craft Fair Sales (2026)

American Button Machines builds all-steel presses in sizes from 1 inch to 6 inches and says every pinback button maker and supply it sells is made in the USA, with a lifetime warranty against defects on every button maker. It sells complete kits by use (school, library, photo, campaign, professional) and the graphic punches cut to the industry-standard sizes in the chart below.

For a seller, the warranty and the steady supply of matching parts are the point: a button business runs on shells, backs and Mylar, and a press that keeps crimping cleanly for years. Many sellers start with a 2.25 inch press, the middle of the size range and roomy enough for most pin designs, and add sizes as orders call for them.

Tecre is the other long-standing US button press maker. Its site lists button sizes from 7/8 inch to 6 inches (including 3 inch BAM, a Badge-A-Minit size), button making kits, graphic punches, die-cutting presses and an electric button maker, all made in the USA in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Tecre does not publish prices or warranty terms online, so you will need to call (800) 394-9168 or email for a quote. It is the better fit if you need an unusual size or want an electric press from a US maker.

Pulling a lever a few hundred times in an afternoon is hard on hands and wrists, which is the case for an electric press. The Caydo BM Pro listing describes a motorized constant-pressure press with 1, 1.25 and 2.25 inch molds, production of up to 165 buttons an hour, a digital counter, a 3 mm safety gap to keep fingers clear, and a kit with 300 parts sets, a circle cutter and a power adapter.

Each button still takes two presses: one picks up and compresses the shell, artwork and Mylar, and the second crimps on the pin back after you rotate the base. Buy matching Caydo refills, since the listing says they are made to the machine's tolerances.

For someone testing whether buttons sell, a three-size kit is a sensible start. VEVOR's listing describes 25, 32 and 58 mm (1, 1.25 and 2.25 inch) dies on one press, alignment scales on the dies, an ergonomic arc handle, and a kit with metal and plastic backs, covers, film and blank papers for every size, a circle cutter and wrenches. It is sold by Amazon itself.

The body is high-strength ABS plastic, not steel, so treat it as a starter. If buttons take off, a steel press is the long-term tool.

Three inch buttons suit campaign pins, event badges and band merchandise where the design needs room. VEVOR's 75 mm press is built from steel and aluminum alloy, per the listing, and comes with 100 sets of parts, blank papers, film and a circle cutter. Remember the cut size: a 3 inch button needs artwork cut to 3.451 inches, per American Button Machines' chart.

If you need buttons for a school event or a handful of gifts, a single-size plastic press is enough. Happizza's third-generation 58 mm (2.25 inch) press is installation-free, with a swivel mount, 100 parts, a circle cutter and printed pictures in the box, and the listing promises a free replacement or refund for quality problems.