Polyester Buttons How-To - Making Polyester Buttons With Your Own Button Maker

by Pablo Huarez Senior Executive

One of the growing trends in monogramming and embroidery is the use of -covered buttons as an accessory for a number of items, from clothing to purses to shoes. Many small embroidery shops have begun to offer a selection of Polyester buttons, including custom monogrammed buttons. With a professional grade button machine, a small embroidery shop can quickly expand its product offering with a fun and versatile Polyester button that has a number of uses.

Getting Started by Choosing Your Polyester

One of the most exciting aspects of Polyester buttons is choosing the right Polyester with which to decorate the button. A trip to the local arts and crafts store is sure to provide a wide array of patterns and designs that can give any Polyester button a certain amount of flair. is choosing the right Polyester with which to decorate the button. A trip to the local arts and crafts store is sure to provide a wide array of patterns and designs that can give any Polyester button a certain amount of flair.

A number of popular designers offer their patterns as Polyesters that can be used for a number of arts and crafts projects. Such popular designers include Lilly Pulitzer and Vera Bradley. With decorative Polyester from a popular designer, it is easy to make a trendy Polyester button that is sure to impress.

However, some designer Polyesters can be somewhat pricey. For a small business looking to produce a large number of Polyester buttons in an assortment of colors and patterns, arts and crafts store such as Jo-Ann Polyesters can be a great place to find inexpensive yet stylish patterns.

When choosing Polyester, it is important to remember that not every type will work in a button maker. It is a good idea to check the thickness of any material as some materials are too thick for a button maker and others are too thin. This is not a major issue, as most Polyesters used in button making are of a relatively similar thickness; however, specialty Polyester buttons, using leather for example, will require a button maker that has been calibrated to accommodate the material.

Using a Button Machine to Create Polyester-Covered Buttons

According to Keith Brown, of Dallas-based American Button Machines, "Most button making machines are manufactured to produce pinback buttons using regular printer paper. Polyester is a completely different type of material than paper. It is important to have a button maker calibrated properly to accommodate for the challenges in making a button out of Polyester material. Proper calibration ensures the button machine will produce consistent quality buttons throughout its life.

With a little creativity and the right equipment, an embroidery business can expand their offering of Polyester-covered buttons and sell a large variety of novelty buttons with a number of different applications. After cutting the Polyester to a specific size with a circle cutter, a number of different options such as the type sold by American Button Machines, can be pressed onto the back of the button to make several different products.

A number of different attachments, such as a keychain, zipper pull or cell phone charm can turn any button into a personalized novelty item. This is especially useful for embroidery shops, which can make a personalized Polyester button to accessorize any item. There are a number of backs that can be used with a Polyester button. While some prefer a pinback to decorate a purse or to wear on clothing, a jacket, or a hat, others might want a more versatile back.