How to boost button sales
10 Everyday items that can help boost button sales
Whether you're displaying buttons at a convention or selling them online the key is to first catch your customer's eye. Having buttons that stand out from the crowd is a great way to attract attention. Creating your own designs is a terrific idea but can be time consuming. So, I've come up with 10 everyday items you can use to add some flair to your buttons and help to boost button sales. The best part is you probably already have most of these in your house or craft studio.1. Comic book pages – so very colorful and lively - Kapow! 
2. Calendar pages* – use the date squares as well as the pictures to make a visually interesting button.
3. Wrapping paper – Happy Birthday, Baby Shower, Graduation…
4. Newspaper – this looks super cool on a 1” button; especially if the newspaper has yellowed with age.
5. Maps – a trendy idea for necklaces or earrings.
6. Magazine pages – fashion magazines have some really cool images that translate well to buttons.
7. Pages from an old novel or children’s picture book – turn the design a few degrees for an off centered appearance when pressing the button and call it art.
8. Coloring book pages – Here's a fun idea. Take a picture your little one has colored, add the date, use a copier to shrink the image and give it to them on their 16th birthday.
9. Vintage paper from an antique store would look classy and elegant on a bracelet.
10. Photos* – Sepia tone photos are very popular.
Our friends at SpaceCraft Studios in Charleston have some nifty ideas of their own. They made a great video featuring an ABM button maker. These are some super cool ideas that should help you boost button sales. *Keep in mind ABM button makers have certain tolerances regarding paper thickness. So you'll want to stay away from mediums such as card stock and thick scrapbook paper. Photo paper can be used for 2.25" - 3.5" buttons. Cut the graphic to 2.225" for use in a Model 225 button maker. Likewise, some calendars are made of thicker paper than others. Stick to those that are made of a thin paper that will fold easily and wrap nicely around the shell.
Until next time – Happy Button Making!
By Brighid Brown, Director of Blogging and All Things Cool at ABM
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9 comments
Great suggestions Dave. Another option for creating an ornament would be to use one of our Necklace Kits that include the tab and a jump ring. Of course, using either a key chain kit or necklace kit will leave you with a one sided ornament.
Eddie again. I wanted to know if anyone else has tried this idea of mine with success. I believe if I just showed up at a business and told them I make buttons & asked if they wanted to purchase some, most would say no. I got to thinking, what if I googled their Business Logo & then showed up with a button already made with their logo on there – I think they would be more inclined to make an order after seeing the button with their logo on it. Has anyone tried this & if so, were you successful in making a sale? Were they receptive to this after seeing the button already made or did it not make a difference? Thank you for your feedback!
A thought occurred to me last night. Has anyone tried making buttons or magnets using the paint sample cards you get at Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.? I think they might be too thick, but if it would work, it would make some coool background colors on a button. Please let me know if anyone has tried this with successful results. Thank you! Stephanie – have you tried this???
Eddie I believe you’re right when you say the paint sample card would be too thick. I personally haven’t tried it but I know those sample cards are very similar in weight and thickness to some card stock sheets.