ButtonGenie
Open Studio
Local-first design, print export, and an on-device customer and pickup workflow.
Reviewed 13 September 2026
A source-checked comparison for button makers.
Different tools solve different parts of the button-making workflow. This page records what each vendor publicly describes and what ButtonGenie ships today.
Four public tools, four documented scopes
A free account-based designer described for printing at home or saving PDF.
An internet-based design studio with term memberships, templates, and editing tools.
A public editor observed with design panels and supplier-specific size guidance.
Feature evidence
Compare the documented workflow.
Scroll the table sideways on a narrow screen. The feature name remains visible.
| Feature | ButtonGenie | ButtonMakers Designer | ABM Build-a-Button | ChiButtons Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getting started and setup | ||||
| Current public entry | Included Studio, local orders, and exports work without an account; billing is not open. | Officially described Free with a registered account. | Officially described Free demo; Lite is free with email-list sign-up. | Observed Public editor start flow; account or payment requirement was not established. |
| Works offline | Included After first production load, editing, local records, and export work in the same browser. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Requires internet access and cannot be downloaded. | Not established From the reviewed public page. |
| Sizes and shapes | Included 149 selectable profiles across 18 shape families, including supplier-specific and generic entries. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described 20+ sizes and shapes. | Observed Round starts at 20, 25, 32, 37, 44, 58, 75, and 100 mm. |
| Supplier dimensions | Included Face, paper-cut, and safe dimensions, with sources and draft status where assumptions remain. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Built-in sizes and shapes; supplier-template provenance was not established. | Officially described Graphic requirements for ChiButtons products; cross-brand compatibility is not established. |
| Artwork, text, and layout | ||||
| Personal images | Included PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG import; camera where supported; crop, scale, rotate, center, and opacity. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Upload, resize, rotate, crop, and filters. | Observed Image insertion and transparency controls. |
| Starting artwork | Included 170 local graphics and six frames; catalog art and personal photos stay separate. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Searchable clip art and ready-made templates. | Observed Template, Images/Icons, and Shape panels; catalog scope was not established. |
| Text tools | Included Four rectangular and two curved layers, with font, style, alignment, opacity, outline, and shadow. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Word-processor-like text, curved text, 600+ fonts, and layer controls. | Observed Font and style controls, outline, shadow, transparency, and curved text. |
| Layer model | Included Fixed production order for background, photo, one graphic, text, and frame, with deterministic export. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Photoshop-style layers with arranging, grouping, and locking. | Observed Layer-up and layer-down controls; full behavior was not established. |
| Saving and printing | ||||
| Save and reopen | Included Local autosave, named local copies, and portable design backups. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Save to edit and reopen later. | Not established From the reviewed public page. |
| PNG export | Included 300 DPI PNG. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Transparent PNG export. | Officially described Subscription area names PNG export. |
| PDF and repeat sheets | Included Print-ready PDF and multi-copy sheets. | Officially described Print at home or save PDF for a copy shop. | Officially described PDF output and multiple-design print layouts. | Officially described Subscription area names Print/PDF arrays using selected sizes. |
| Maker workflow and reliability | ||||
| Customers, jobs, and pickup | Included Local customers, jobs, design snapshots, invoice, intake, claim tickets, and pickup board. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Not established From the reviewed public pages. | Not established From the reviewed public pages. |
| Online reorder and SMS | Optional Not required for editing or export; connection and setup are required. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Not established From the reviewed public pages. | Not established From the reviewed public pages. |
| Machine fit boundary | Qualified Match the supplier template, print at actual size, and press-test a sample. | Not established From the reviewed public page. | Officially described Templates for its offered sizes; cross-brand equivalence is not established. | Qualified Instructions apply to ChiButtons products; cross-brand equivalence is not established. |
Published status and prices
Check the terms before choosing.
ButtonGenie
Currently freeStudio access remains free while billing setup is in progress.
ButtonMakers Designer
Free with registrationNo paid-tier price was established from the reviewed page.
ABM Build-a-Button
Term access$12.95/week · $27.44/month · $37.44/3 months · $73.69/6 months · $103.69/12 months · $299.95 lifetime. School/library: $197.95/year.
ChiButtons Editor
Price not establishedThe reviewed editor names subscription-only PNG and Print/PDF features without verified price or renewal terms.
Published prices checked 13 September 2026. Features, prices, and terms can change.
Method and sources
Read the evidence, then test your press.
ButtonGenie statements come from the current shipped app and product documentation. Competitor statements come from the linked official pages and limited read-only UI observation. The products are independent; no partnership or endorsement is implied.
Production note: ButtonGenie profiles aid artwork preparation. Match the exact machine and supply family, print at actual size, and press a test before production.