ABM Update: New sizes now available for the super popular Dynamo hand-held punch cutter.

You asked and we are delivering!

A few months ago we began offering a hand-held punch cutter for 1” buttons.  Right out of the gate we were getting requests for larger sizes.  Well, the wait is over – say hello to the Dynamo Hand-Held Graphic Punch Cutter for 1.25” AND  1.5” buttons! Continue reading

Introducing the Dynamo Hand-Held Graphic Punch Cutter

There are few moments that bring us more genuine excitement than introducing a new feature or product.

Recently, we’ve introduced new features like this super-special PayPal checkout option (with no payments and no interest for 6 months!) and new products like the ultra-fun and versatile Magneta-Snaps™ and Clix™.

And today, we have another new product to introduce.

Say hello to the Dynamo Hand-Held Graphic Punch Cutter!

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ABM Video How-To Series: Aligning and Cutting Button Graphics Using a Punch Cutter

What is as smooth as a butterfly’s flutter?
And as precise as Tiger Woods’ putter?
It slices paper like a hot knife through butter,
Ladies and gents, it’s our peerless punch cutter!

That’s right, we welcome you back to the ABM Video Series, where today we educate you on the simple process for lining up and cutting button graphics using a punch cutter.

Here are the steps, and you can follow along as you watch the video:

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ABM Video Series: How to Cut Circular Button Graphics Using an Economy Circle Cutter

Welcome back to the ABM Video Series!

Today’s video tutorial is a very simple one, and shows you how to cut out circular button graphics using American Button Machines’ econo circle cutter.

The econo circle cutter differs from our other circle cutters by obviously being less expensive. Still, it cuts perfect circles and is adjustable from 2 inches to 7 1/4 inches. And while it’s perfect for preparing graphics for button making, it will work well for any type of circular cut you need to make with paper.

Here are the quick and easy steps:

  • Create a sheet of paper with as many of your circular graphics on it as will fit.
  • Adjust the econo circle cutter to the appropriate size.
  • Line the econo circle cutter up on the graphic you are preparing to cut.
  • Place your hand on top of the cutter to hold it in place.
  • Rotate the handle at the base of the econo circle cutter to quickly, accurately, and easily cut out a perfectly circular graphic.
  • Make some buttons!

And, of course, don’t forget the most important step in the econo circle cutter usage process: get one!

Here is your short and sweet video tutorial:

Video: How to Cut Button Graphics Using an Economy Circle Cutter

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Brighid Brown – Director of Blogging and All Things Cool at ABM

Button University Lesson 4: The Three Different Kinds of Cutters

Sorry for the late posting time on today’s Button University lesson. Sometimes the phone just rings and rings and rings and our duty as gatekeepers to the wonderful world of buttons beckons from sunrise to sundown. After a moment to catch my breath, it is now time for some late afternoon fun here at The Button Blog.

Yesterday, in lesson 4 of our ongoing Button University series, we discussed design standards for button machines and gave you the reasons why ours have the best button machine design available on the market. Today, we are going to dive feet first into cutters. And if you are a graduate of Indiana University, no, this post does not have anything to do with the Cutters race team or the Little 500.

(Raise your hand if you understood that reference? The movie Breaking Away? Anyone? Okay, not many hands up. I hear crickets. Let’s just move along now, shall we?)

So, let’s say that you are getting ready to start a button project. You have your button machine, you have all of your button supplies, and you even have sheets of neatly printed circular graphics ready to go. Are you ready to start making buttons?

Not so fast. Your gorgeous and beautiful graphics must be cut out!

How are you going to accomplish this?

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Using Adjustable Circle Cutters for Buttons, Crafts, Projects

At American Button Machines we pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for any supply you may need for a wide range of button making projects. What a lot of our visitors and customers do not realize is that many of our products also have useful functions outside the realm of button making.

While our usual focus on this blog is to revel in the wonderful world of buttons, we are actually going to – don’tadjustable-circle-cutter-tool be alarmed – take a brief step outside of button making to discuss the most versatile product that we sell: adjustable circle cutters.

Obviously the circle cutter tool is a prominent product in our overall line of button making supplies and accessories because it is perfect for cutting circular graphics and photos for making pinback buttons. However, the purpose of this post is to help you step outside the button making box and understand the wide variety of additional projects for which a circle cutter tool can be a perfect tool.

In addition to cutting graphics for pinback buttons, many arts and crafts aficionados use circle cutters to cut numerous items other than paper, and have found tremendous benefits. Schools, arts and crafts lovers, companies, and families have purchased our adjustable circle cutter to cut circles out of paper, thin plastic, construction paper, poster board, and fabric.

Here is a quick video to show you how a circle cutter tool works:

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Photo Circle Cutter Comparison: Photo Punch and Graphic Punch

Among the many, many questions that we receive on a daily basis are:

  • How awesome is it being immersed in the wonderful world of buttons on a daily basis? (Answer: awesome!)
  • Can you make fabric-covered buttons with your button machines? (Answer: yes!)
  • What is the meaning of life? (Answer: we don’t know, but when we find out we will make custom pinback buttons and send one to all of our past, present, and future customers!)

difference between graphic punch cutter and photo punch cutter
Those, of course, are just three of the myriad questions we get asked. Another of the common queries revolves around two different types of cutters that we offer: the 2.25″ photo punch cutter and the 2.25″ graphic punch cutter

The primary difference between the two cutters is the size of the circle they cut out, and there is a very specific reason why this is the case.  You see, a 2.25″ button machine can’t use true photo paper because it is too thick. Thus, the photo punch cutter actually cuts a circle that is slightly smaller than the standard graphic punch cutter.

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