HOW TO MAKE ENAMEL PINS
1
SIZE & QUANTITY
2
DETERMINE SPECS
3
WE'LL DO THE REST!
Overall Pin Size
Your specific design will dictate the ideal size to make your pins. The most common size is 1 - 1.5 inches. Most people tend to overestimate rather than underestimate what the size should be. Be careful, because this could end up costing you a lot of money! The majority of pins don’t have to be over 1.5 inches, however, if your design is super complex, you might want to consider it.
You might have noticed that the prices of pins are determined by the size. Unlike patches, we price pins by their largest dimension only. A pin that is 2” x 2” would be the same price as a pin that is 2” x 0.75”.
Hard vs Soft Enamel
The biggest difference between hard and soft enamel is the finished texture. Hard enamel pins are flat and smooth, while soft enamel pins have raised metal edges. Both methods use the same metal molds, and both will have bright and vibrant colors. But some special options are exclusive to soft enamel.
Soft enamel is one of the most popular types of pins, having a raised and textured look and feel that many people enjoy. Hard enamel pins are more durable and scratch-resistant compared to soft enamel. Many people choose hard enamel over soft enamel because of the clean, finished look.
Picking Colors
You are not required to specify your colors, but many pin designers do.
Enamel colors must be matched to a Pantone color. If you have Pantone colors selected, send them to us! If not, then we will select the Pantone colors that most closely match your artwork. You can take a look at the Pantone colors Online here.
Please note that everyone’s computer monitors are configured differently. A color might appear slightly different on your screen than it does on ours. Keep in mind that not every color you can make in Photoshop will have a Pantone color that matches exactly. Matching colors to a Pantone book is the best way to make sure the colors you selected on screen are as close as possible to reality.
Metal Plating Types
Enamel pins are typically stamped into iron or cast with zinc alloy as a base material, and are then plated with a metal finish.
The bare bones of your design are expressed with raised and recessed metal in order to create separate sections for the enamel to be filled into. This is necessary to keep the enamel colors from mixing together.
Platings Available:
- Gold
- Silver
- Black Nickel
- Painted Black
- Antique Gold
- Antique Silver
- Antique Copper
- Rose Gold
- Matte Gold
- Matte Silver
- Painted PMS Color
- Rainbow
Now that you've mastered the basics, are you ready to move onto the advanced course?
Recessed Metal
When the metal part of a pin is created, there are areas that are raised and areas that are recessed. Typically, the recessed areas are then filled in with an enamel color. In some cases, pin designers choose to have some of these areas left unfilled. This creates >> read more an interesting pin with different levels of depth. In other cases, adding recessed metal is actually a necessity. In cases where the design is very thin, or juts out from the design, we will have to add in a small areas of recessed metal. Show Less
Cutouts
If your pin has a hole punched out anywhere in the design, there is a $10 fee to cut this out. You can avoid this fee by filling the area with enamel or recessed metal, however most people consider the small fee worth it, as in most cases it makes >> read more a significant difference in the overall look of the pin. Show Less
Back Stamp vs Laser
A back stamp is the most common form of pin branding. A mold is created and then stamped onto the back of your pin. The same design at the same size can be reused for future orders at no additional charge. >> read more A lesser known option is laser engraving, which is best if your back design has intricate detail. No mold needs to be created. Your design is engraved on with a laser, making for a flat, smooth surface. For the sake of contrast, this is only recommended when you are using a dark plating such as black nickel or painted black. Show Less