The Complete Guide to Custom Enamel Pins 2023

Custom enamel pins have become a popular way to express yourself and show off your style. With the help of a custom enamel pin maker, you can create a unique pin that reflects your personality and interests.

The guide will teach you everything you need to know about custom enamel pins, from how to design them to where to find the best custom pin makers.

You’ll learn about the different materials used for making enamel pins, what type of design works best for different occasions, and how to get started with creating your own custom enamel pins.

custom enamel pins

What are custom enamel pins?

Enamel pins are crafted from metal or ceramic and can be utilized for a variety of purposes. One of the most common uses for them is making lapel pins which are often designed to commemorate a person or an organization’s achievements.

For many years, the process of producing enamel pins has been a craft passed down through generations in Europe. In order to affix an enamel pin to fabric, a pin back is typically used.

With modern technology, enamel pin makers are now able to create hard enamel pins with high precision and intricate details.

The fashion industry has seen an increased use of hard enamel pins due to the creative freedom they provide. Designers can create one-of-a-kind pieces and offer them for sale through online retailers such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.

What are custom enamel pins Used For?

Build brand identity

Brand identity is heavily reliant on an integral element. Enamel pins are great for adding a touch of professionalism to any outfit, whether you work for a big or small company. Generally, these pins will feature the brand/company logo or simply the name of the organization.

Provide information and recognition to others

Enamel pins are a great way to represent yourself and the organization you belong to. They easily identify the members of any company or organization and provide information about your work to the public.

Acknowledge and appreciate the achievements of those around you

On some occasions, enamel pins are often used to acknowledge an individual’s hard work and success within a company or organization. They are awarded to the person as a token of appreciation for their contribution.

Also, enamel pins can be used to appreciate individuals‘ achievements in events or competitions. Awarding them to participants, especially the winners, can help make the memories of the event last much longer.

Collecting

Some individuals who are passionate about collecting pins have made it a hobby, owning different designs and varieties of enamel pins.

What are the Different Types of custom enamel pins?

You can find a variety of enamel pins on the market nowadays. They make perfect gifts for expressing gratitude and appreciation. Decorative items come in many forms, from large to small, and in various shapes.

Types of custom enamel pins

Pin makers are specialized in manufacturing a range of enamel pins for different purposes. These include reseller pins, lapel pins, and collector pins for specific events.

They also craft novelty items like army badges, cuff links, bottle openers, and keychains.

As for the look, Enamel pins come in two variations: hard enamel and soft enamel.

Each offers unique characteristics that cater to different needs and desires.

Hard enamel pins: They are usually made from sturdier material and therefore can withstand wear and tear for longer periods of time.

However, they tend to be more costly than soft enamel pin models.

Compared to soft enamel designs, these harder and more solid variants are more enduring and simpler to customize due to their sharp edges and corners.

Soft enamel pins: Soft enamel pins tend to be shorter and thinner compared to hard varieties, usually with a rubber backing.

You can use these types of enamel pins on outfits, backpacks, or other objects that require fastening multiple times.

How to promote your brand with custom enamel pins?

Custom enamel pins are an effective and stylish way to promote your brand. They are lightweight, durable, and can be easily customized with your logo or design.

Plus, they come in a variety of sizes and colors so you can find one that fits your brand perfectly.

Whether you’re looking for promotional pins for a tradeshow or something unique to give away to customers, custom enamel pins can help you create a lasting impression on potential customers or clients.

Choose a design that is simple to duplicate and recall.

Designing a product or service that is both simple to duplicate and easy to recall is essential for creating a successful business.

A well-designed product or service should be intuitive and easy to understand, allowing users to quickly interact with it without any confusion.

Additionally, the design should be memorable and have the ability to be recalled by customers when needed. This can help ensure repeat customers and build loyalty for your brand.

Add an image as a representation of your brand

This image should represent your company, brand, or organization in some way. It should be a visual representation of what you stand for.

Select colors that are in line with your branding

Ensure that the colors used in your brand identity are incorporated into your design. Graphic design may comprise features like text, logos, illustrations, and patterns.

Make sure to use durable materials

When looking for a material to use for your project, it’s important to ensure that it is suitable for the application and will last as long as you need it to. Metal pins are the preferred choice for durability and longevity since they are more resistant to wear & tear compared to plastic ones.

Find unique ideas from designers

It can be difficult to come up with the perfect design for a project, but with the help of some creative minds, you can get some truly unique ideas.

Reaching out to experienced designers can help you create something that stands out from the crowd.

What is the best way to find creative ideas for custom enamel pins?

Creating custom enamel pins can be a great way to express yourself, commemorate an event, or simply show your support for something you care about.

But coming up with creative ideas for custom enamel pins can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to find creative inspiration for your custom enamel pins, including researching trends and exploring the popular culture. With the right approach and some creativity, you can easily turn your ideas into stunning designs that will stand out.

Brainstorming for creative enamel pin ideas

Brainstorming is an essential part of the creative process when it comes to designing enamel pins. It’s a great way to generate ideas and spark inspiration for your next project.

With a few simple steps, you can come up with some amazing and unique pin designs that will stand out from the rest. Brainstorming for creative enamel pin ideas can help you quickly develop concepts, find inspiration, and bring your projects to life.

Try to create sketches for them. Review the sketches to see which ones you like and use that as your inspiration for your next pin design.

Research your target audience

To create content that resonates with your target audience, it’s important to understand what they want.

Gathering insights from your target audience is a great way to get an understanding of their needs and desires.

If you’re looking for further ideas, try researching what people are saying about the topic on sites like Pinterest or Instagram. This can provide great visual inspiration and help to spark more creative ideas.

Asking them directly can be one of the most effective ways to find out what they need and how you can provide it.

Additionally, listening to feedback and taking action on it will help ensure that you are creating content that is relevant and engaging for your readers.

Find themes for your brand

Looking for new and creative ideas for your pins? Theme-based pinning is a great way to come up with new and innovative ideas.

By finding themes that are relevant to your brand, you can create pins that are both eye-catching and on-brand.

Use enamel pins with accessories to create the design

Enamel pins are a great way to add a unique touch to any outfit or accessory.

Whether it’s a statement piece or an everyday accessory, enamel pins can be used to create beautiful and creative designs. With their vibrant colors and intricate details, these pins help bring any look together and make it truly one-of-a-kind.

How to find the right suppliers for custom enamel pins

Obtaining the ideal supplier for your custom enamel pins is essential in ensuring you have quality products.

Every product varies in quality, price, and materials used depending on the manufacturer’s process. That’s why there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to these items. It is also important to consider how much time it takes for a supplier to make them.

enamel pin suppliers

When selecting the best custom enamel pins manufacturer, there are several aspects to think about. The top 7 things to keep in mind include:

1. To find the best supplier for enamel lapel pins, start by looking for one that specializes in this specific product.

It’s wise to view samples of their work before placing a large order. It’s also important that they can work quickly even with short notice and provide excellent product quality.

2. When selecting a supplier, a critical factor to consider is who will be responsible for developing the design.

If you’re looking to develop something unique, it would be ideal to hire a designer who has experience making customized pins.

They should have the skills and the knowledge necessary for creating this kind of product.

Suppliers of custom enamel pins have the skill and experience to understand what looks good and what doesn’t. Moreover, many of them have premade designs that can be used to complement your logo with the perfect colors and more.

3. When selecting a suitable enamel pins supplier, it is essential to consider their production and distribution capacity and ability to handle large-scale orders.

The right provider should be able to meet your needs regardless of order size.

This undertaking was a hit thanks to the custom-made machinery, which had the ability to manufacture enamel pins quickly and accurately.

Furthermore, they pick providers who offer on-site design and production capabilities.

4. Being selective when choosing a supplier is very important.

Make sure to pick one that is open-minded and has the capability to meet your needs and restrictions. When it comes to custom enamel pins, there is a balance between quality and cost. The higher the quality, the more expensive it will be. Conversely, the lower the price you pay for your pins, the lesser their quality may be.

5. It’s an essential factor in how fast the supplier will deliver your order.

To avoid delays, try not to bulk buy too much at one time since it can take longer for them to create them.

6. It is also important to choose a supplier with various materials and color options.

The materials and colors available to you can have a huge impact on the look, feel, and quality of your pins.

Do research into the range of materials and colors offered by suppliers in order to make sure that you are getting the best quality product for your pin design.

7. When searching for a supplier of custom enamel pins, it’s essential to contemplate their lastingness.

Enamel pins created with softer metals like copper and nickel can easily get damaged if there is too much movement.

This makes them more susceptible to bending or breaking than regular pins. Enamel pins made from hard metals such as silver, gold, and platinum are very durable and long-lasting.

In a word, a number of enamel pin factories now specialize in the production of customized pins. When choosing an item, it’s essential to consider the key factors Doing this will help you make the best decision.

21 custom enamel pins Manufacturers for Growing Your Brands

GSJJ Inc 

GSJJ Inc is one of the leading custom enamel pins manufacturers in the world. They specialize in creating custom pins for brands and organizations, allowing them to show their logos, slogans, and messages in a unique way.

GSJJ Inc offers a wide range of services from designing custom enamel pins to manufacturing them with high-quality materials. Their custom pins are made with precision and care, ensuring that your brand’s message stands out from the crowd.

With GSJJ Inc as your partner, you can be sure that your brand will be represented with beautiful and durable enamel pins.

EnamelPins Inc

EnamelPins Inc is one of the top custom enamel pins manufacturers in the market. They are known for their high-quality products and competitive prices. With EnamelPins Inc, you can customize your own enamel pins with unique designs, shapes, and colors to make them stand out from the crowd.

Whether you need custom lapel pins for a special event or promotional items for your business, EnamelPins Inc has got you covered.

With their wide selection of styles and materials available, they can help you create a unique product that will help grow your brand and increase customer loyalty.

Bythe

Blythe is a custom enamel pin manufacturer that specializes in producing high-quality pins for growing brands. They have a wide range of products, from custom designs to stock designs, and they offer competitive prices and top-notch customer service.

Blythe is able to create unique products that will help grow your brand and give your customers something special to keep. These manufacturers offer top-notch services and quality materials that will ensure your custom pins look great and last for years.

Vivipins

Vivipins is one of the leading custom enamel pin manufacturers that can help businesses and brands grow.

With high-quality materials, cutting-edge processes, and an experienced team of designers, they offer custom pins that are perfect for any occasion.

Quality Lapel Pins, Inc 

Quality Lapel Pins has been in the market for more than two decades and enjoys a dedicated clientele. They specialize in crafting enamel pins and lapel pin designs for events and occasions of every kind.

PINPROSPLUS 

PinProsPlus is a supplier of custom pins, custom coins, custom buttons, custom patches, custom key chains, custom medals, custom belt buckles and custom banners. The company is best known for their hard enamel pins, a favorite among collectors and fashion lovers.

Additionally, they provide lapel pins to cater to customers who like lighter and more casual styles.

PINTRILL

PINTRILL has been around since 2014 and is based in the US. Starting as a pin-creating brand, they have earned a loyal following over the years.

Enamel pins are crafted with high-quality material and designed to endure for years. You can customize these stylish lapel pins according to your liking to represent the activities or designs that you love.

Monterey Company

Monterey Company has long been a major player in the US enamel pin market, with more than 30 years of experience in creating pins. They are considered one of the best manufacturers of enamel pins in the country.

Their custom pins are made with high-quality materials and are perfect for promotional campaigns, corporate events, and other marketing activities.

With their competitive pricing and fast turnaround time, Monterey Company is the perfect choice for anyone looking to create custom enamel pins for their business or organization.

PINUSA 

PINUSA is one of the leading custom enamel pins manufacturers in the US. They provide high-quality pins at competitive prices, making them a great choice for growing your brand. With their wide range of styles and sizes, you can create unique enamel pins that will help boost your brand’s visibility and recognition.

It also offers a variety of customization options to make sure that your custom enamel pins are exactly what you need for your business. From logo design to color selection, they have every detail covered so that you can get the perfect pin to represent your brand.

The Pin People

The Pin People is a well-known custom enamel pin manufacturer that specializes in producing high-quality pins at affordable price.

Their experienced staff will help you design the perfect pin for your needs, and they offer competitive prices and fast turnaround times.

You can trust that your custom enamel pins will be made with the utmost attention to detail and quality.

Ebadges

With custom enamel pin makers like Ebadges, businesses can create unique, high-quality pins that are sure to make an impact with their target audiences.

With two decades of experience, they have been offering a variety of services geared towards different types of businesses. Their range of products is comprehensive and can fulfill the needs of any business.

Ebadges Company offers a personalized service that takes your artwork/design, and turn it into custom enamel pins. It’s a great way to create an attractive promo item with your own unique design.

Gouda 

Gouda is an e-commerce platform that specializes in manufacturing and distributing promotional products, like hard enamel pins, in the USA.

They are committed to providing top-notch quality at the best possible price along with exceptional customer service.

From high-quality materials to unique designs, Gouda will help you make an impact with your custom enamel pins. So find the one that meets your needs and start growing your brand today!

SIX CENT PRESS 

SIX CENT PRESS is an enamel pin company that specializes in crafting intricate, high-quality pins for different interests like comics, gaming, TV and movies. Their expertise lies in designing and manufacturing hard enamel pins.

Their custom enamel pins are perfect for promoting your brand, creating awareness, and showing appreciation. They can be used as necklaces.

Mr Pin Man Inc

With Mr Pin Man Inc., it’s easier than ever for businesses to create unique, eye-catching pins that will help them stand out in the marketplace.

If you’re in the market for custom lapel pins at an affordable price in Canada, Mr Pin Man Company has got you covered. No matter how complex or simple your design, they offer an array of custom enamel pins along with promotional items. You’ll be sure to find what you need in Canada at Mr Pin Man Company.

The Button Store

The Button Store is Canada’s leading supplier of promotional items. They specialize in custom-made enamel pins that are distributed to customers around the world, offering exceptional quality for every product.

It has a wide variety of promotional items, such as pins, lanyards, keychains and t-shirts. It’s easy for businesses of all sizes to order their desired quantities in bulk.

BadgeWorks 

BadgeWorks is a respected manufacturer of custom enamel pins in New Zealand, with a reputation for high-quality products.

BadgeWorks company has been providing great services in custom promotional products. They have an impressive selection available for purchase online or by phone, as well as offering order management and fulfillment services for more complicated orders.

Awesome Brooklyn 

Vanessa was determined to create something for her daughter and family to be proud of – so she opened a gift store in Brooklyn.

Enamel pins gives an economical way to connect with customers and keep her brand alive without breaking the bank.

Artik Canada

Artik set out with a mission to offer premium service in promotional product in Canada. Because of the dedication and hard work, they have achieved an honorable standing among customers.

From hard enamel to soft enamel, Artik Canada’s experienced team can help you create the perfect custom pin. Whether you need something unique or just a classic design, Artik Canada has the expertise and resources to make it happen.

Trofe Australia 

Trofe Australia Company stands out as one of the top makers in the field of custom promotional products. Their collection includes custom enamel pins, and metal badges, along with useful social media ads for effective market promotion.

From classic designs to unique works of art, the Trofe Australia team strives to ensure all customers receive the highest quality products that meet their needs and expectations. Whether it’s for promotional campaigns or special events, Trofe Australia’s custom enamel pins are sure to make an impact.

Precision Badges New Zealand 

Precision Badges New Zealand Company excels in creating custom enamel pins, and other promotional products with great precision. They are the go-to provider for these types of products for their clients as they specialize in customizing them to fit a variety of preferences.

The Company works hard to provide its customers with unique, innovative products to meet their individual needs. They pay special attention to design and quality of the items they produce.

Emblems New Zealand Ltd

Emblems New Zealand Ltd has a large array of customizable products tailored to fit your business requirements. Their catalog consists of trendy custom enamel pins, and other stylish promotional items.

How to make custom enamel pins – Production

As below, we will show the process of making custom enamel pins from start to finish.

1. Your design must be created.

You would need to have a manufacturer create mock-up design which will then be used to generate a 3D or CAD file.

2. Create a mold and cut out a pin

With the given design file, a die is CNC cut from steel which has an inverse of your pin design. These dies are then used to press blank copper sheets, which are usually spooled into long and thin rolls.

3. Electroplating (soft enamel pins)

Electroplating is a procedure that involves coating an object with a thin layer of metal such as gold or silver. It is typically done to the base of an item, like a pin.

If the finish on your metal is black, then it is technically a coating rather than electroplating. Other colors can be achieved through anodizing.

After the electroplating procedure is complete, the pins should be dried.

Soft enamel pins get electroplated before the enameling process in order to achieve their final base shade.

Hard enamel pins are plated after enameling because the polishing process might remove any electroplating done before. This way, they maintain their shine and look much better.

4. Add color and bake

The exciting part is that your pin can be enameled in vibrant colors. This process can either be done via injection machines or by hand.

Soft enamel pins have the paint layer not reaching the metal edges, creating a sunken look. In contrast, hard enamel pins are filled completely to the edge of the metal.

After painting, the pins are placed in an oven to make the enamel coating firm. This finishes off soft enamel pins, with the exception of a last quality check.

Hard enamel pins require some extra steps for completion.

5. Polish the pins (Hard enamel pins)

For a smooth and shiny finish, hard enamel pins get polished. This helps to make sure the surface is even and that both the enamel paint and metal outlines are perfectly aligned.

This will remove any burrs on the edges and give a smooth finish to the raised areas, making them look as shiny and attractive as possible after electroplating.

For added texture, the recessed areas will be sandblasted. This contrast with the raised areas helps make your colorless pins stand out and ensures that the paint adheres to colored pins.

6. Screen print the details

Some hard enamel pins are enhanced with screen printing, which is a technique that uses ink to draw additional details on the design. This unique style is known as screen print pins.

7. Quality inspection and ship

For every design, our team undergoes a meticulous inspection process to guarantee that only the highest quality of pin is provided. Finally, your order will be carefully packed in individual polypropylene bags, placed in boxes and then shipped to your address.

The custom enamel pin order process

Decide your budget

Buying custom enamel pins can be an exciting and cost-effective way to promote your business or organization. To ensure you get the best value for your money, it is important to decide on a budget before making any purchases.

By considering factors such as cost per pin, quantity needed, shipping costs, and design complexity, you can create a budget that allows you to purchase the perfect custom enamel pins for your needs.

Create Your Design

You need to create a design to attract your target audience first. Get creative with your custom enamel pins!

Think about the custom enamel pin type

Custom enamel pins are a unique and stylish way to show off your personality and interests. From soft enamel to hard enamel, there are many different styles of custom pins available to choose from.

With the help of a trusted pin manufacturer, you can easily design and order custom enamel pins according to your own specifications.

Pick a Base Metal Color

With a wide range of colors available to choose from for your base metal color, you can pick the perfect one to bring your design to life.

From gold and silver to black and gold, there is sure to be something that fits your style.

Find the size

When selecting custom enamel pins, size matters. You must make sure it is appropriate for the design and/or text to ensure it looks great when worn.

You don’t have to have a huge lapel pin to make a statement. You only need one with great impact and presence.

It’s not always about the size; a great design and superior craftsmanship can make a lapel pin incredibly attractive, even without having an oversized design.

Use craft

Glitter

Glitter is a great way to spruce up your design & add some extra sparkle. It’s made by blending enamel color with metallic flakes, and when hit by light, it produces an eye-catching twinkle effect.

Translucent Colors

Translucent colors are special enamel hues that possess the property of being semi-transparent, which allows the underlying polished metal to be seen through them.

Glow In The Dark

Glow-in-the-dark colors are created using a unique type of enamel that traps light, storing it and slowly releasing it in the dark. This makes them perfect for nighttime activities or areas with minimal illumination.

Add cut-outs

Cutouts are a fun and creative way to enhance the look of your pin, allowing you to create a truly unique piece of jewelry that is sure to draw attention.

Incorporating a cut-out can bring about an exceptional touch to a lapel pin, making it distinct from other designs.

Find additional attachments

Danglers

Danglers are a great accessory for pins that allows you to include more information. These small attachments attach easily to the larger pin, either with a hoop or anchor. They can be used to display slogans, mottos, and other messages you’d like to share.

Sliders

A slider is similar to a dangler, where it attaches to the main pin by slicing a line through and pushing the attachment through.

This provides the attachment with freedom of movement back and forth.

Spinner

Spinners are another type of pin similar to sliders. It is a smaller pin that rotates around its axis, making for a great way to draw attention.

Spinners are separate pins just like the slider. It is simply a smaller pin that spins around creating a fun way to draw attention.

LED lights

Blinkers are miniature LED lights that flash on and off. They are run by watch batteries that can be used continually for up to 150 hours.

There is a small button on the back of the pin that turns it on/off.

Opt for more accessories

Basically, different accessories such as a money clip, tie tack and golf ball marker are essentially lapel pins with a distinct type of attachment on the back.

Choose package ways

Packaging is an important part of product presentation. If you need to use the pins for an event, customer, employee recognition, or marketing, then a different type of packaging may be more suitable.

Many different packaging options exist for pin producers to choose from. The type of packaging you should use will depend on how you plan to distribute the pins.

The most common options are poly bags, plastic or acrylic cases, velvet pouches with or without imprinting, and velvet cases.

Most badge makers give out a plastic zip bag, also known as a poly bag, for no extra cost.

You can choose the best packing option to ensure that your pins arrive safely and securely.

Get Started with a custom enamel pin factory today

Create your own custom enamel pins with ease! With a custom enamel pin factory like Blythe, you can quickly and easily design, manufacture, and distribute your own unique designs.

With the help of Blythe, you can create unique pieces of art that will be loved by your customers or make a statement in the fashion world. Get started with the best custom enamel pin factory today and watch your business take off!

Resources

Designing Enamel Pins – Ultimate Guide

How to Wear a Lapel Pin (with Pictures) – wikiHow

Trend Alert: Why Fashion Pins Are Staging A Comeback

Picture of Ella

Ella

Hi, I'm Ella, the funder of blythepin.com. I've been running a factory in China that makes pins, medal, coins, bottle opener, keychains, etc. for over 20 years now, and this article aims to share with you the knowledge related to metal craft from a China'suppler's perspective.

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