Best button makers, presses, and button making kits

As someone who’s been collecting one-of-a-kind pinback buttons for years now, I have to admit things can get a little pricey after a while — especially if you’re buying trendy hand-crafted badges from hipster stores.

And while we’re all about supporting small businesses, DIYing isn’t just a more affordable approach to make the things you love, but way more fun! If you want to turn personalized pin-making into your new creative hobby (or even your own small business), it’s time for you to get a button maker machine.

To help you find your next button maker, we’ve tested and reviewed some of our favorites in our guide below!

Affiliate disclosure: Articles on Tiny Workshops may contain affiliate links.

How to choose the best button maker

When thinking of button makers, we automatically focus on the fun part: making fabulous pin-back buttons!

But there are a few things you should evaluate before purchasing a button press:

• Do you need something industrial-grade or for hobby purposes only? Will you be button-pressing large batches or sporadically?
• Take durability and sturdiness into account. Remember that a machine built with cast iron and/or stainless steel will always be more long-lasting than plastic models (although these will last a long time if taken care of properly!).
• Are you aiming to stick to one button size or looking for variety? Keeping things simple at first will speed up crafting. Multi-die machines are very useful but require some know-how and potential workarounds.
• Also, do you want to make round pins, or are you interested in a pin maker machine that accommodates different shapes too?
• You can cut your pin designs with scissors, but a circular cutter is faster and often included in a kit. For industrial speed, you can also consider a circular die cutter!

Best button makers

Discover the best button maker machines and buyer tips in our lineup below!

Best overall: Vevor 3-in-1 Button Maker Machine

When it comes to versatility and easy of use, the Vevor 3-in-1 Button Maker is our top pick. I have made dozens of pins with this machine, and it’s truly a joy to use once you get the hang of it. It also comes fully assembled (minus the swappable moulds), so you can start making pins right away!

The base is large and heavy, and the two handles make it easy to press down firmly without it tilting. That’s the key to a successful pin, and it’s something that isn’t found in most models. Don’t feel like you need to press too hard though – my seven-year old was easily able to make pins on her own!

This kit can make 1, 1.25, or 2.28 inch (25/32/58mm) badges by switching out the moulds. This takes less than a minute, and there are enough supplies to make 100 buttons of each size. It even includes cutters for each fo the three sizes!

Surprisingly, I ended up preferring the plastic backs over the metal ones, which had a little too much wiggle for my liking. Consider sourcing your supplies somewhere else if you want to turn this into a small business.

Overall, you won’t find a better button maker at this price point. Grab it from the official Vevor website or Amazon at the links below.

Best budget: Vevor Plastic Button Badge Maker Machine

When looking for a button maker, you’ll see lots of different models that look exactly like this one. It’s technically the same white-label hardware, but who you buy it from really does matter! Unlike some no-name brands on Amazon, I’ve found that Vevor has the best customer support, so stick to them when you can.

This is one of the most affordable models for hobbyists, and is suitable for adults and teens. Because it’s made of hard-plastic vs. industrial-grade materials, it’s incredibly safe for kids and an excellent pick if you’re searching for fun tools to enjoy creative hobbies as a family.

But don’t be mistaken by its toy-like appearance; this button maker is built with high-quality, sturdy plastic, ensuring durability and steadiness as you press. That means rust isn’t something you’ll have to worry about, unlike metal button makers — this is a very low-maintenance alternative.

One of this device’s greatest perks is that it’s ready to use right out of the box: no complicated setups here! This button maker kit also includes 100 buttons, button-sized drawing sheets, and a unique surprise booklet for children.

There are four different sizes available, and depending on which one, it will have either a rotating or sliding mechanism for the moulds. There are even some combination kits to make buttons of multiple sizes!

Best cheap: Badge A Minit Button Maker Deluxe Kit

Perfect for students getting ready for special events, sourcing ideas to make gifts on a budget, or wanting to spruce up their jean jackets, the classic Badge A Minit button press gets the job done — and well!

This handheld badge maker is tiny, and each set contains ten pin back button pieces. That’s significantly less than most of the kits on our list, so you’ll need to source more pins to really get punching.

Being so small, it’s really convenient to store or transport. The design is also uber-basic, a huge plus for anyone looking for something intuitive and uncomplicated.

However, unlike standard models, the Minit button press works slightly differently as it requires more manual work. Keep that in mind if you have mobility problems in your hands. Although simple, it might take you longer to craft, so it’s best for small-scale projects vs. large batches.

Best large-button kit: Vevor 3-inch Button Maker

This heavy-duty button maker is available in many sizes, but I’d only recommend it for one specific job: huge buttons.

The largest 3-inch mold is capable of quickly an efficiently making enormous buttons, which can really be a chore on plastic models. The larger the button, the more force you need to use to press them, and the all-metal build really makes a difference here.

The easy pressing is also great news for anyone who wants to go easy on their wrists! The handle is very ergonomic and the low profile prevents toppling as you punch those badges.

It comes with enough supplies to make 100 buttons, as well as a simple spinning cutter to get the right size of paper. It’s a little pricier than other models, but it’s worth it if you want to reliably make oversized buttons.

Best for hobbyists: We R Memory Keepers Button Press Bundle  

We R Memory Keepers is a popular stationery and papercraft brand known for its beautifully presented, high-quality tools for hobbyists. And this button maker machine is definitely one of our favorites by the company!

This machine is extremely user-friendly, easy to set up, and won’t take up much room due to its compact structure. However, the best thing about this device is its versatility: each bundle features three different press inserts and die sizes, paper cutters, and button parts.

In other words, you’ll be able to create three button sizes with a single machine. We also love that this press machine accommodates more than paper: you can also use cardstock and light fabrics.

And besides buttons, it’s also compatible with other projects, such as keychains, magnets, scrapbook cutouts, and more! To switch things up, the brand also sells this square insert! See what I mean about the versatility?

One of the most significant differences between this model and most hobby button makers is that this device only works with We R Memory Keepers materials, which may seem restrictive for some. On the other hand, it keeps things simple, especially if you’re happy with the brand!

Best for kids: Vevor Squishing badge machine

While most of the button makers above are just fine for kids, none of them really look like they’re made for kids, you know? But this one does, and it’s remarkably cute.

Another white-label badge machine from Vevor, it features a rocket-like design that’s far less threatening for little ones. Instead of a handle to pull down on, it has a big button that you press down on (or squish, as the name implies).

It comes with enough supplies to make 50 2.25-inch badges, which are big enough for kids to proudly display on their school backpacks or jackets. It’s also very cheap, so you don’t have to feed back if your kids aren’t as into button making as you are.

What to know about button makers and button pressing

While uncomplicated and easy to do, your button-making experience will be more satisfying in the long run if you know a few things before getting hands-on.

So what should you know?

Make sure you consider every step of the process, from button designing to pressing. For example, your design’s quality and print will impact the outcome of your projects more than you may think.

If you’re not a graphic design wiz, don’t fret. There’s a lot of online software (besides Photoshop and Illustrator) to help you edit your designs like a pro, many of which offer free trials and templates, such as the following:

• Canva
• Photopea.com

Also, decide what kind of printer you want to use. A household printer is always convenient, but a laser printer will undeniably give you better results if you’re aiming for more professional finishes. If you don’t own one of these (they’re pretty expensive!), you can always look for shops that offer this service.

If using a home printer, make sure your paper isn’t too thick to fit in your machine. It should list the maximum GPM in the manual. And most importantly, ensure your printed design is completely dry before button pressing — any moisture locked in your button will lead it to rust over time.

Also, it’s worth noting that some button maker brands are designed to work exclusively with materials developed by the same brand. On one hand, this helps keep things simple. On the other, if you’re one to scavenge the internet looking for great deals and new materials, we advise looking for something more universal.

Lastly, while having a button maker that accommodates several die sizes is convenient, this can also present some challenges. For example, if your device needs repairing, you won’t have a backup. Having individual button makers will always provide an alternative.

Also, don’t worry if your first few pins don’t turn out right. There’s a small learning curve here, but once you figure things out you’ll be punching pins like nobody’s business!