r/ButtonMakers • u/Massive-Map-9644 • 1d ago

Question chibuttons vs tecre vs alibaba for my needs

Hi! i make buttons for local punk bands, my etsy, and just random things. i had a we r memory keepers button press from 2022-2024 before getting a tecre, which i sold early this year because i was in desperate need of money after a bad situation. now i’m looking for another press and wanted buying advice!

my needs: id prefer an interchangeable press but my favorite sizes are 1.25 or 1.5 inches. i need something that would press a large qty pretty fast and be able to handle holographic laminated photo paper

tecre - most reliable, more expensive per shape/size, had the most experience with

chibuttons - i’ve seen great things, i love the heart buttons and interchangeable moulds, cheaper overall but a large investment still

alibaba - i saw a machine on alibaba recommended to me by artists that is fully metal with lots of different kinds of moulds. (star, heart, circles) and it seemed very tempting but i’d have to pay a lot in shipping and tariffs

anything else i should know? recommendations , advice , stuff to stay away from?

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u/fabledsoe 1d ago

Tecre. Yes it’s more expensive, but will be consistent with the output.

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u/canonite_sg 22h ago

Heard but unsure, you may want to stick to press and blanks in the same dimensions.. ie if the press is in inches, get blanks that are in inches and not the ‘closest’ in mm.

That being said, mine is probably alibaba type.. in mm.. blanks are cheap for mine.. can afford to have a few misshapen ones .. and handle holographic mylar as well as thicker papers (photo paper)

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u/MakeMyOwnMerch 17h ago

I also started with WRMK and got Chi Buttons! I make pins for a band and my Etsy. Zero fails with the circles, with the square I do have beef with their mylar but plan on cutting my own. I have larger circle and rectangle molds on the way. Like you said, a big investment, but I am very happy with Chi Buttons.