At Hipins, we believe that every pin—no matter the size—deserves to be crafted with care, precision, and a deep respect for detail. That philosophy was once again proven in a recent project for one of our returning clients: a 1.58-inch custom pin featuring soft enamel combined with printing techniques, finished with luxurious gold plating, and delivered in PVC sleeves with bubble wrap protection.
Though compact in size, this pin reflects everything we value at Hipins: craftsmanship, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
Design & Artwork: Translating Vision into Precision
As with every custom project, our collaboration started with a detailed exchange of design ideas and sketches. The client had a clear concept in mind—sharp lines, vivid contrast, and a glossy golden finish—but also needed guidance on how to bring the idea to life within the limited space of 1.58 inches.
Our in-house design team stepped in with a detailed digital rendering, optimizing the visual hierarchy to maintain clarity at a small scale. We also ensured the lines were bold enough to support soft enamel filling without compromising detail—especially important since this pin also included printed elements for finer decoration and shading.
Each artwork file was triple-checked before mold creation, ensuring color separations, stroke widths, and print zones aligned perfectly. The client’s feedback? “Exactly what I imagined.”
Mold Making & Die Striking: Precision at Every Turn
Once the artwork was finalized, our technicians moved forward with mold fabrication. Despite the small size, the die required a high level of precision—particularly because the pin used dual processes (enamel and printing) that demand perfect alignment.
The die-struck base was created using high-strength steel, and each blank (also known as the “raw pin”) was carefully punched and deburred. This step is where decades of craftsmanship show their value: no rough edges, no burrs, just clean and crisp outlines ready for finishing.
Enameling & Printing: A Blend of Texture and Color
With the raw pins prepared, our production moved on to soft enamel filling. Each recessed area was filled with vibrant enamel, then baked to harden and set. Unlike hard enamel, soft enamel gives a slight texture to the surface, offering visual depth and tactile interest—a great fit for this client’s design.
But the star of the show was the additional printing layer applied after enameling. This allowed for intricate details like highlights and shadows that enamel alone could not achieve. Using our precision printing equipment, we aligned the artwork with exacting care, creating an image that truly popped.
Gold Plating: Adding a Luxe Finish
To elevate the pin’s overall appearance, we used gold electroplating to give the metal surface a rich, warm sheen. This not only enhanced the contrast with the enamel and printed elements but also added a sense of value and professionalism.
At Hipins, all plating is done in-house using environmentally responsible methods. Our plating baths are monitored daily to ensure color consistency and durability—especially important for small pins, where minor flaws are more easily noticed.
Inspection, Assembly & Packaging: Because Every Detail Matters
After the final polish, every pin went through our multi-stage inspection process, where we check for:
- Color accuracy
- Print alignment
- Enamel smoothness
- Plating uniformity
- Backside finish and pin post integrity
Only after passing inspection were the pins assembled with high-quality butterfly clutches, then packed into individual PVC sleeves with bubble protection to prevent any scratches during shipment.
Though the project involved a relatively small quantity, we maintained the same rigorous standards we apply to large-scale orders.
Client Feedback: Quality That Speaks for Itself
Upon delivery, the client responded with genuine excitement:
“I’ve worked with a few pin suppliers before, but the attention to detail here blew me away. From the plating to the print—everything was flawless. I’ll definitely be coming back for more.”
This kind of feedback fuels us to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve with small-format pins.
Innovation Spotlight: Micro-Scale Storytelling
Inspired by this project, our team also developed an internal case study on maximizing visual storytelling in small spaces. We challenged ourselves to create a 1.2-inch pin featuring transparent enamel layered over a printed background, giving a “stained glass” effect. Though smaller than most pins we make, it successfully conveyed a complex scene: a fox curled under a crescent moon, with fine printed stars twinkling behind translucent enamel.
The success of this test pin led to a broader initiative at Hipins: exploring new hybrid techniques that combine print, enamel, and metal sculpting—even on the smallest surfaces.
Why Small Pins Deserve Big Attention
In the world of customization, size should never determine effort. A small pin worn on a collar or bag still carries a story, a message, or a brand. It might represent a fandom, a cause, or a company’s identity.
At Hipins, we approach every project—big or small—with the same commitment:
- Expert guidance at every step
- Fast, responsive communication
- Factory-direct pricing
- Reliable quality assurance
- On-time global delivery
Because we know that in the world of custom pins, every millimeter counts.