If you've ever struggled to make buttons with one of the inexpensive Badge-A-Minit button machines, you will be in for a very pleasant surprise the first time you make buttons using our Model 350 LS.
That's because the Model 350 LS is easy to use!
To make a button with the Model 350 LS you simply place your artwork and button-making supplies into the machine, pull the handle down twice, and your button is finished!
It really is that easy to make buttons with the Model 350 LS!
(To see a short video, click here.)
Make buttons anytime / anywhere
Since it doesn't require electricity and is small enough to fit in a child's lunch box, you can take your Model 350 LS on location and make buttons where ever you happen to be.
Rugged dependability
Unlike the inexpensive Badge-A-Minit button machines that are made of plastic (or a plastic-like compound), the Model 350 LS is made of solid-steel. And it's obvious that steel is a more durable material than plastic, button machines that have steel dies also make better buttons.
How buttons are made
Let's take a look and see what takes place when a button is being made.
To begin, the button design and mylar covering are pulled taut over the face of the button and the excess artwork and mylar covering are tucked up underneath the front of the button in much the same way you tuck your sheets under the mattress when making a bed. The back of the button is then pressed into the front and the edge of the button is crimped. It is this crimping action that holds the button together.
Why steel is better than plastic
Pushing down on the handle of your button machine causes mechanical energy to travel from the muscles in your arm into the button machine and it is this mechanical energy that provides the force that is used to crimp the edge of the button. The Model 350 LS, which is made of solid steel, facilitates the transfer of mechanical energy more efficiently than button machines that are made of plastic or aluminum.
(This is why carpenters use hammers made of steel rather than plastic or aluminum).
Buttons made with the Model 350 LS will have smooth, tightly crimped edges. They won't exhibit the "poor quality issues" that are so common to buttons made with plastic button machines; issues like paper and plastic sticking out the sides of the button, buttons that have rough or serrated edges, or buttons that fall apart after being made because the edges weren't crimped tightly.
Creating artwork for your buttons
You can use most any graphics program to create artwork for your buttons, and when you are ready, you can print your designs using any ink jet or laser printer. Special paper isn't required to make buttons... regular copy paper or ink jet paper will work just fine.
The Model 350 LS can make four different types of buttons
The Model 350 LS is versatile and you can use it to make four different types of 3-1/2" buttons. It will make pin-back buttons, magnet-back buttons, key chain buttons, and mirror-back buttons.
Photo buttons
Another major difference between the Model 350 LS and any of the Badge-A-Minit button machines is the Model 350 LS will make professional quality photo buttons using photographs that were printed on heavier paper, like those you get from a photo lab.
Badge-A-Minit button machines don't work well with heavier photographic prints and to use them in one of their machines, you must cut the image in the photograph to the face of the button, which then leaves the silver sides of the button showing. And if you aren't not successful "trapping" the photo in the middle of the button, the image will sit off-center on your button.
To make photo buttons with the Model 350 LS, you simply cut your photograph as you would cut the artwork for any other type of button, insert the button parts into the machine, push the handle down just a bit harder than usual and the result will be a perfectly formed photo button with smooth, tightly crimped edges.
Circle cutters
Since cutting artwork is an important part of the button-making process, a discussion about the job circle cutters do will help you better understand the process of how buttons are made and help you choose the cutter that best serves your needs.
We currently offer two types of circle cutter... the AC-1 circle cutter and the Punch Cutter.
For most customers I recommend the AC-1. It's less expensive than the punch cutter and it can do things the punch cutter cannot.
The AC-1 does its cutting by means of a rotary blade that is safely housed inside the body of the cutter, so it can't cut anything you don't intend to. The blade sits at the end of a cutting arm that is fully adjustable. It is this feature that allows the AC-1 to make the cuts for buttons as small as 1-inch, as large as 3-1/2 inches, and any size in between.
To cut button designs with the AC-1 you simply place the metal cutting plate that comes with the AC-1 on a table and place your artwork on top of the cutting plate. Position the AC-1 over your printed artwork and center it. Then push down and turn the handle to cut your artwork into a perfect circle.
The AC-1's rotary blade will stay sharp far longer than straight-edged cutting blades (such as the ones used in Badge-A-Minit's circle cutters). This will not only give you better cuts, it allows you to cut thousands of designs before you need to replace the cutting blade.
It is possible to re sharpen the AC-1's cutting blade, if you wish. To re-sharpen it, simply remove the blade from its adjustment arm (it's held in place with a "C-clip") and run the edge of the blade over a whetstone, just as if you were sharpening a knife.
For customers who prefer not to resharpen their blades, replacement blades are only $5.99 each.
30-Day Money-back Guarantee
You can try the Model 350 LS for a full 30-days without risk or obligation. Then, if you aren't completely satisfied, simply return it for a full and immediate refund (less shipping).
If you purchase a Badge-A-Minit machine and decide to return it, you can do so but they will charge you a 10% restocking fee. But at Dr. Don's Buttons, we don't charge restocking fees... and we don't need to because customers who try our button machines seldom ever return them!
And hopefully this will lead you to wonder... if Badge-A-Minit's button machines are so good, why do they charge restocking fees when we don't?
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