If you’re in the market for a new pin manufacturer, maybe it will be hard to know where to start. There are so many options and each has unique benefits that would make it the perfect fit for your business.
Fortunately, there are certain things you can look for to help you narrow down your choices. In this article, we will share 13 important tips when choosing an enamel pin manufacturer for your needs.
Plan to shop for lapel pins?
Lapel pins are worn on the lapel of a jacket or shirt, and they are often used as symbols to identify an individual’s membership in an organization. They can also be used to indicate status, affiliation with a political party, or support for an issue.
The practice of wearing lapel pins began in the 1940s and 1950s when many organizations started to adopt the use of symbols that would help identify members. The practice of wearing lapel pins for identification purposes is now widespread, with various different types and styles.
These pins can be used for a number of purposes, such as to represent an organization or event. For example, a sports team may use them to raise money by selling them before games and other events.
Custom pins are often given as a gift by company representatives to recognize employees who have been dismissed from employment or promoted at work. They may also be exchanged as a form of office birthday party games.
Businesses are also beginning to see the value in these small lapel pins that can be used as incentives for employees or customers.
Do you plan to shop for lapel pins today or soon?
It is disastrous if you choose a wrong pin manufacturer
The most frustrating thing is that a wonderful design is destroyed by the wrong lapel pin.
As we know, custom pins are a trend that is on the rise. With custom lapel pins growing in popularity, more and more pin factories are cropping up. However, the fact is that not all pin factories will give you the same great result.
In production, inexperienced factories with poor management often encounter various problems. this problem will be disastrous to you, your customers, and your business.
In this case, the factory you choose will have a big impact on the quality of your product, and ultimately your business.
13 Things to Look for When Choosing an Enamel Pin Manufacturer
When looking for a manufacturer of enamel pins, it’s important to find one that fits your budget, understands your project, and has a turnaround time that meets your needs. And it is also essential to choose an experienced factory to avoid mistakes.
Quality pins are a far cry from cheaper ones!
Any other thing to consider? Below we collect 13 certain things to consider as the checklist to choose an enamel pin manufacturer.
1. Find out how long they’ve been in the enamel pin business
You don’t want to end up with a pin supplier who doesn’t have enough experience to handle your needs and might give you terrible service.
Make sure that the pin manufacturer has experience in designing pins before deciding on them. This is especially important if you’re looking for a unique or complex design or fabrication process such as UV print that requires expert knowledge from an experienced designer or worker.
The experienced professionals will tell you what you can do and what can’t be done with your pin choice when providing proof.
If you can find a factory that does this type of work for years, then you’ll probably be able to save a lot of money on your project and what’s more, you’ll get to see the finished piece before it goes out!
After doing research, you will know if the pin factory you choose will have the experience and resources to provide you with exactly what you need.
2. Do they have certifications?
It will be really great to work with an enamel pin manufacturer who has the certification. As we know, identifying certified and ethical manufacturers can take time. And that is why many people choose to work with a sourcing agent.
But if you choose an ethically sourced and certified factory in China, it is handy for saving time and costs. And it means the factory has high standards and follows best practices.
3. Do they work with big brands?
When purchasing a lapel pin, one should make sure the factory has a good reputation within the pin industry. Then they will provide references from other customers who have purchased their products in the past. It will ensure that the lapel pins will be of the highest quality.
In the pin industry, look for a pin manufacturer that works with famous lapel pin brands like Disney, Pinlord, Pinmart, etc.
4. Is the quality of the lapel pin well?
To make a healthy pin business, quality is the key. You really don’t want to go with a company that is going to cut corners.
A quality pin should be long-lasting and able to withstand the elements. But this does not include a soft enamel pin, which is not so durable due to the craft.
Make sure the gold plating will not lose its luster too quickly.
When choosing a business, you should always make sure they work with high-quality pin manufacturers and stand behind the quality.
Of course, quality is a very broad term that can include many different factors including materials, construction, and design.
A quality pin should be constructed with care and attention to detail. And it should make the well-crafted design vivid.
a. Quality pins are made of silver, gold, or other high-quality metals. These can be easily identified because they will have a texture and weight to them.
b. The color of quality pins is vivid. For example, UV printing accepts printing many colors and makes real pins show more details and keep customers’ designs original.
c. It is difficult to make glass color with pearl swirl. We usually add epoxy to it after the glass color solidifies since the glass color is easily dropped from the metal.
Besides, the factory needs to inspect the quality under strict standards before shipping.
How to evaluate an enamel pin factory? What criteria do you use to evaluate quality?
The best way is to ask for samples instead of online photos. After receiving the sample,
- Check if it has light colors. Are your color choices rich and bright?
- Look closely. See if there are any imperfections or swirls in colors
- Look for dust or specks stuck in the paint
- Look in between some of the letterings to make sure that the insides are filled
- Is the backing centered?
- Is the butterfly clutch easy to remove?
- Does the weld pop off when giving the post a little pushback and forth?
- Any marks or spots on the edges of the lapel pin?
- Does the metal have a smooth finish?
If you find anything wrong with it, it would not be worth purchasing this product because the quality is too poor to be of use.
Then, you will know if the vendor will produce high-quality custom pins for you.
Tips: Most vendors just take your design and then ask another factory to produce it. So, remember to choose a pin manufacturer who will keep you informed about the manufacturing processes so that you will get the desired pins.
5. Is the product ordering process easy?
It may be a tiresome process that a factory requires you to submit a comprehensive form in order to obtain a quote. After submitting the form, you have to wait for the factory to give you a callback.
In fact, managing an intricate ordering procedure is not an absolute necessity. You should never have to wait several days. Good pin manufacturers have to respect your time and you will get great results from the work on your behalf.
Looking for a system that will allow you to order custom pins without having to put much thought into it. No phone calls, no in-person visits, no coordinating between multiple vendors. The best bet is to go with a straightforward online quote process.
Sending your needed amount and product type, uploading artwork, and getting your quote. Easy as a, b, c! You will be able to get instant pricing online.
And the steps from inquiry to a finished product delivered to your door should be simple.
6. Do they offer fair pricing?
It is important to have a budget to shop with. Having a budget can help you get better deals and take advantage of offers while shopping.
Being cheap doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best quality. Sometimes you may not find out until it’s too late that the quality is poor.
Don’t just judge by price. You get what you pay for! You should take more factors into account when choosing. Balance price with quality.
It is difficult to do because often the two go hand-in-hand. The cost to produce each pin depends on size, material, and quantity. You could compare quotes from multiple sellers in advance.
Ensure that you could get a competitive price to cost down and get more margins.
Kindly note that some vendors even cut costs by suggesting smaller pins, but this kind of pin will not be selling well because of the weird design.
To create a new pin, there is a cost for mold. Make sure you only pay for the mold fee one time. Some will need a second mod fee for the same pin design with two different colors. It is not reasonable.
Most people are unaware of how to purchase lapel pins at the best price. These tips will ensure that you end up with the optimal deal and don’t make any costly mistakes.
7. Is their customer service friendly, honest, and helpful?
The success of any business depends on how efficiently it can handle customer queries. Thus, it is critical for the sales coordinator to respond promptly to customer inquiries. Timely replies demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction and are essential for building relationships with customers.
Excellent customer service includes replying quickly and accurately to customers, answering questions accurately, providing professional and helpful knowledge, keeping the language simple for easier understanding, being calm and focusing their attention on the key information, and being honest. Will they stay on budget by giving you suggestions for cheaper options if necessary?
Customers always want to be treated with respect and care. They negatively judge the business when they don’t receive the desired attention.
8. How is the shipping service?
Shipping may seem trivial but the truth is that it has a significant impact.
Pin suppliers may be offering very low prices. But may give you a big shock that it still needs additional fees for shipping, which is really pricey. What is worse, you may not be informed of the shipping costs until the entire ordering process.
Be aware of these kinds of hidden costs. It’s disappointing when our shipment costs are higher than expected – it takes away the element of surprise we desire!
Make sure to choose a reliable lapel pin supplier. So you can cut down on your costs and avoid any unwelcome surprises.
In addition, make sure your items arrive on time and are protected.
Sometimes, products can take too long to be delivered, leading to frustrations among buyers. This delays the product’s arrival and can potentially cause a negative experience for them.
Furthermore, some parcel delivery services don’t handle items with care, thus resulting in the recipient receiving products that are damaged or in poor condition.
Prior to selecting a lapel pins vendor, it is essential to look into the shipping service they utilize and assess if they have a good reputation. This will ensure your lapel pins arrive on schedule and in perfect condition.
For example, before shipping, Blythe makes sure they are protected by avoiding getting squashed or folded in transit.
As a pin factory, the packaging is going to be a customer’s first tactile experience.
9. How long is the turnaround time?
Choosing a pin manufacturing partner with a fast turnaround time.
Even though producing something requires some time and many customers’ orders are in the queue, there are situations where you may want to take advantage of an idea or trend without delay.
When searching for a company to work with, prioritize those that can deliver results quickly — turnaround times in weeks should be the goal rather than months.
If you need your pins quickly, then opt for a service that offers expedited shipping. This will ensure that your customers get their custom pins within the shortest possible time.
10. Do they have MOQ?
Choosing an enamel pin manufacturer with low or even no MOQ (minimum order quantity). This will give you the flexibility to place a lower-risk order in the beginning.
Or you could order a few different styles to see how each performs in your shop before making a larger commitment.
At Blythe, for example, you could order several sample pins. Beginning at just 50 pieces.
While for other lapel pin manufacturers, the MOQ is 100 pieces. This can be quite a sizeable investment for many pin designers.
11. How is the design service?
Partnering with an enamel pin manufacturer that offers a wide variety will give you the freedom to offer various types of pins in your shop and cater to different audiences.
Ensure that your pin provider has a wide range of customization possibilities to make your idea a reality!
Don’t know how to bring a creative idea to life? Search for a pin manufacturer that provides extra design services and any necessary revisions until your desired design is achieved.
To make your custom pins successful, ensure that the design is creative and appealing. Maybe you have a designer to handle the design work. It is also wise to entrust the task of manufacturing pins to a trustworthy supplier with in-house designers.
To avoid the unneeded costs, ensuring accuracy with proofreading is essential.
After accepting the proof of your digital design, it will be printed and goes into production. There is no way to get a refund or make any modifications then.
If you want to change your design after that, the only way to do so is by submitting a new order.
In this case, these things are important to make a perfect proofing process:
a. The freedom of unlimited proofs.
Talented creators understand that the secret of a masterpiece lies in perfecting it through editing. Even the most skilled authors often make multiple alterations to a single page when crafting their work.
If you approve a design without taking your time, you may miss an opportunity to craft your own masterpiece. Right?
b. The freedom to make changes.
During the proofing stage, it’s critical to be able to make both minor and significant alterations to your design. This ensures that you are able to get the exact output that you desire.
It shouldn’t be difficult for the pin maker to include or omit a design element.
In case you are inspired to try something different, you should have the freedom to submit an entirely different design.
Despite the advantages of unlimited revisions, it is the responsibility of the buyer to check for spelling, layout, and numbers, avoiding these lapel pin design mistakes.
12. Does their review is good?
Still wondering about the quality the pin manufacturer provide? Look up true customer reviews of the company.
Reviews can be a great way to find out what kind of experience the factory has and what people think about the product, which will give you an idea of if they would work well in your own business field.
This will help ensure that the product can be produced in a timely manner and adhere to the company’s desired design.
13. Do they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee?
Choose a pin supplier who wants you to be 100% happy with your products. Check the Money Back Policy and see if the pin manufacturer will move heaven and earth to put things right for you.
If you experience errors in craftsmanship, quality, or delivery, you will get the full money you have paid for. That way, you’ll know for sure that you’ll end up with a result you’re thrilled about or an excellent result.
How to Find a reliable Enamel Pin Manufacturer
What is the best enamel pin manufacturer? The answer to this inquiry differs depending on the situation, as there is no universal solution.
When looking for an enamel pin manufacturer, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
The pin manufacturing process can be very difficult and time-consuming. To avoid the headache, you must be sure to do your research before beginning the project. Here are a few tips to make your search smoother.
1. Do research
Before choosing the first enamel pin manufacturer, it’s important to take time to compare different options. A Google search can give you a lot of options in a brief time or do searching on Alibaba.
The vendor you choose can make a real difference in terms of the quality of your products and profitability. Make sure to ask a lot of questions about their product quality, turnaround times, and costs prior to making your decision.
Do your due diligence to ensure you select the best option for you.
2. Contact the customer service team
If you’re unable to find the answers you’re looking for on their website, don’t hesitate to contact their customer service team.
Take note of how well and fast they respond as it can give you an understanding of what to anticipate when collaborating with them.
It’s important to learn how they operate; including their policies, product creation processes, guarantees, shipping time, etc. before deciding on a particular company
3. Ask around
When you are looking for a suitable partner for your pin project, don’t hesitate to as your friends who are also business owners. Ask them which manufacturers they collaborate with to produce custom products.
Enamel pins may be quite a niche, but learning more about custom product ordering experiences from people you trust can help to give you a better idea of what’s in store.
For example, joining Facebook groups to expand your professional network and gain feedback.
4. Try a few outs
Try out a few enamel pin manufacturers by placing a smaller order.
That would allow you to get an idea of how their product creation process works, the level of customer service, and what kind of quality pins they produce.
Blythe is a great enamel pin manufacturer to start with, with plenty of customization options, an easy design process, great customer service, honest workflow, fair pricing, low MOQs, satisfaction guaranteed, unlimited revisions, and more. It has earned a reputation for excellence in our packing and a variety of shipping service options.
Basically, it checks all the boxes!
Ready to work with a great enamel pin manufacturer to bring your product ideas to life? Start the inquiry process here.
