Overview
This sleeping floral cat pin case study details the development of a custom hard enamel lapel pin featuring a sleeping floral cat. The project required translating an intricate digital illustration into a high-quality enamel pin while maintaining the essence of the original artwork.
The final product successfully combined gold plating, glitter enamel, and a smooth hard enamel finish, creating a visually appealing and collectible lapel pin. This sleeping floral cat pin project outlines the entire production process, from concept refinement to final quality control.
Pin Design Details
These pin design details included:
- Hard enamel process: A smooth, polished surface with vibrant colors
- Gold plating: A high-end finish that enhances contrast and aesthetic appeal
- Glitter effect: Specific areas, such as the floral accents, needed a glitter-infused enamel to create a subtle shimmering effect
- Pearl effect
- Size: 44.5mm width: A medium-sized pin, ensuring clarity while keeping it lightweight
- Two rubber clutches: A secure fastening mechanism to prevent the pin from rotating when worn
- Protective packaging: Each pin needed to be individually packed in PVC bags with bubble wrap to prevent scratching or damage
Design Finalization
The client provided an original illustration featuring a curled-up cat adorned with floral decorations. Our design team translated this 2D concept into a production-ready vector file, ensuring that the artwork would be suitable for the enamel pin manufacturing process.
Key adjustments included:
- Line thickness adjustments: Ensuring all metal lines were thick enough for the mold production while retaining the delicate design
- Metal border enhancements: Preventing color bleeding between different enamel sections
- Color matching: Selecting Pantone shades to achieve the closest match to the original artwork
- Adding glitter & pearlescent enamel: The client specifically requested glitter accents for some floral elements, which required careful placement to maintain contrast
Once the technical design adjustments were completed, we provided a digital proof for client approval.
Production Process
1. Mold Creation & Stamping
To achieve sharp details and a precise outline, a custom mold was developed. The mold was then used to stamp the design onto a metal sheet, pressing the artwork into the base metal. The excess material was trimmed to match the curved shape of the sleeping cat.
2. Enamel Filling & Color Application
Each enamel color was carefully filled into the recessed areas of the stamped metal. The process required multiple layers:
- Base enamel: The primary deep purple color was applied first
- Secondary colors: Lighter shades for inner details such as the floral elements and ears
- Glitter enamel application: A special glitter-infused enamel was used on specific flowers to create a sparkling effect
- Pearlescent enamel accents: A soft shimmer was added to some floral elements for extra visual interest
Each pin was then baked at high temperatures to set the enamel, ensuring durability and vibrancy.
3. Wet Grinding
Wet grinding made the metal lines on the pin visvible.
4. Polishing & Final Plating
After the enamel hardened, the sleeping floral cat pins underwent polishing to create a completely smooth, flush surface. The gold-plated edges were then re-polished to restore their shine. This step was essential in achieving a seamless hard enamel finish.
5. Attachment & Quality Control
Each pin was fitted with two black rubber clutches, providing a comfortable yet secure grip.
Our quality control process included:
✔ Inspecting color accuracy – Ensuring all colors matched the original Pantone selections
✔ Surface smoothness – Checking for a polished, bubble-free finish
✔ Glitter distribution – Ensuring even placement without excess accumulation
✔ Metal plating quality – Looking for imperfections or discolorations
✔ Attachment security – Verifying that the pin backings were securely fastened
Final Product & Client Feedback
The final sleeping floral cat pin successfully captured the original artwork’s charm while incorporating high-quality manufacturing techniques. The gold plating and glitter enamel details gave the pin a unique, premium look, making it a standout collectible.
Client Testimonial:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the final product! The craftsmanship is excellent—the smooth enamel finish, glitter accents, and polished gold plating make this pin a true work of art. The details stayed crisp, and the colors are exactly as we envisioned. We’ll definitely be ordering more in the future!”
Conclusion
This project showcased our ability to transform complex artistic designs into high-quality enamel pins while meeting the client’s unique requests for plating, glitter effects, and intricate detailing.
By combining careful design refinement, precise manufacturing techniques, and rigorous quality control, we delivered a product that exceeded client expectations.
If you’re looking to create your own custom enamel pins, whether for retail, branding, or collectibles, we’re here to help! Contact us today to bring your vision to life.