Button sizes?

[Former_Member]

Hi! I decided I want to invest in a button maker and found some great all in one kits at buttonmakers.net But I'm having trouble deciding what size I want to get. I'm going to use it for short quotes.

1" seems to be most popular on Etsy but a little more space would be good. Do you think if I used 1-1/4" or 1-3/4" it would deter people from being them? What size do you sell in your shop?

Thanks for any help!

[Former_Member]

Woops... meant *buying them!

[Former_Member]

I bought a 1.5" from buttonmakers and have a lot of people tell me that they love that size because 1" is just too small for text based designs.

Personally anything larger than 1.5" just feels really huge to me (and takes up too much room on my track jacket or messenger bag)

[BayleafButtons]

I agree with Joshua, and I also have a 1.5" button maker.
I like the 1" ones for cute designs but for text or words they are a little smaller, I guess it just depends on what kinds of pins you are going to sell. That should help determine the size.

One nice thing about the larger sizes, is you can do pocket mirrors :)

[badgebliss]

I make 3 sizes 1", 1.5" and pocket mirror sizes - that way I have everything covered!!!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone! The problem with 1.5" is that it is the only size not on sale right now on buttonmakers.net -every other size is marked down $40 and with it already being so expensive, that really makes a difference for me.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but the machines I see are all made to create one size button - can I get a bigger size and get some kind of 'adapter' to make smaller sizes on it?

[Former_Member]

I have 3 sizes- 1", 2.25" and 3.5". I would love a 1.5" machine for the reasons everyone has already mentioned. Look at the cost of parts too when deciding. I originally considered a 2.5" machine but the parts are way more than the 2.25"

http://www.buttonsonline.com/model150ms.html

This setup is a little cheaper. Less parts though. You get an adjustable rotary cutter if you plan on making multiple sizes down the road. I have this cutter as well as the other type. The rotary cutter isn't my favorite- but I used it for years before I bought the other type. It works better on fabric and different materials than paper.

[Former_Member]

I need to clarify my last sentence- it works fine on paper- it works better on fabric and different materials (foil paper) than the other type does. I can't use the normal cutter on fabric- I have to use the adjustable rotary cutter...

[Former_Member]

I make buttons of my photography, and at 1", there was just too much detail getting lost. I didn't want them to get too big, so I kicked it up to 1.25", and they're perfect!

[Former_Member]

I like the 1.5 size because you have a little bit more diversity in what you can make with the buttons. There are other sources to get the 1.5 machine. Check Ebay.

[PandaLoveShop]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but the machines I see are all made to create one size button - can I get a bigger size and get some kind of 'adapter' to make smaller sizes on it?

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Unfortunately, the Tecre button machines are designed and made to specifically produce one button size. I think some of the Badge-a-matic models will let you do that (swap out dies) but those machines generally produce lower quality buttons and don't last as long.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for explaining An! And thanks for everyone's help. I've decided to go with the 1 1/4" maker and can't wait to get started!

[PeriwinkleDzyns]

1.25" is the size I use also, you won't regret it!

[Former_Member]

I prefer the 1" buttons for buttons and 2.25" for compacts, to tell you the truth, I've had my 2.25" machine for almost 2 months now and still haven't made 1 button yet. I don't like the rattle they and the 1.25" buttons produce...

[naniwear]

badge-a-minit's professional buttons makers are superior to tecre, in my opinion. we tried out tecre's button maker, and my hubby broke it on the first try. sure, the button maker we have was more expensive, but it's also faster than the tecre, you could kill an elephant with it, and makes perfect buttons every time. and the best thing is that it's so sturdy, the hubby can't break it.

YMMV if you don't have a hubby that has <0 dexterity and the sensitivity of a retarded, blind elephant.

we use 2.25" because our designs tend to be larger, with more text.

[Former_Member]

@ naniwear

I have the electronic version of BAM- It's good quality, however they don't make bottle opener accessories for them which is a bummer. Do you have the semi-automatic bench press?

I have a 1" tecre machine and love it.

I also have a machine that is no longer manufactured- it's 3.5" and it's the best machine ever made- It has a circle cuter built into the top. The collet parts are also sturdier than regular ones.

[Former_Member]

I also have the 1 inch Tecre, and love it. It can be small at times, but it's a super cute size.
I would like to get a 1.5 for the above mentioned reasons, but my tecre rocks :)

[naniwear]

Jacob: yep. it weighs like 20lbs, and i swear it's made out of cast iron. the other thing is, the construction of it is fairly simple, so that if something does go wrong, you can fix it yourself, which is what i like.

[badgebliss]

I have 1 machine and I can change the dies for it. Cost me an arm and a leg but I'm happy I did that.

[PandaLoveShop]

we tried out tecre's button maker, and my hubby broke it on the first try.

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Wow, naniwear, I've gotta ask, how in the world did your husband *break* the machine? I also have a 1" Tecre machine and I love it, it seems sturdy and solid to me.

[Former_Member]

@Kate- which brand machine do you have?

[badgebliss]

Have no idea as it doesn't have any name on it anywhere. Bought it from a guy in Melbourne (Australia).

[naniwear]

an: he overcranked it, and snapped the handle. don't ask. like i said, he's got the sensitivity of a blind, retarded elephant.

[BayleafButtons]

I dropped my Tecre 1.5" Button maker on my foot once... didn't break anything as far as I know. But man did my foot turn purple-I still have a dent!

[studiopop]

I have a 1.25 size button maker, though I like ordering them online better. The company I go with makes better buttons then I could make myself.