Overview
This mulan pin is an exquisite art piece that captures a timeless moment of elegance and tradition. Featuring a graceful woman in traditional attire holding a lantern, framed by an ornate 3D gold metal border, this mulan pin is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The combination of hard enamel, gold plating, and UV printing brings this intricate design to life, making it not only a collectible item but also a statement of artistic excellence.
With a 100mm large-scale size, this mulan pin stands out among standard enamel pins, offering a highly detailed and visually striking finish. The soft color palette, detailed shading, and traditional Asian architectural elements in the background add depth and sophistication. From the initial concept to final production, every step was carefully executed to ensure the highest quality.
Pin Design Details
This project required a high level of precision and craftsmanship, combining traditional enamel pin production methods with advanced UV printing to bring the client’s artistic vision to reality.
Production Process
1. Design & Pre-Production Adjustments
The project started with an intricately detailed digital illustration. Because this mulan pin was larger, the design needed careful adaptation to maintain clarity and proportion. The key focus areas included:
- Ensuring metal lines in the gold-plated frame were defined and well-balanced.
- Adjusting color separations for hard enamel filling while leaving space for UV-printed details.
- Refining gradient transitions in the artwork to ensure smooth blending with UV printing.
After finalizing the design, a detailed mold was created to capture the sharp edges and delicate elements of the metalwork. The design was divided into separate parts to accommodate the different manufacturing processes required.
2. Metal Molding
Once the mold was completed, the base structure of the pin was cast in metal. Because of its 3D gold-plated frame, extra attention was given to maintaining fine details. The raised metal sections were polished before undergoing gold plating, giving the frame its luxurious, reflective finish.
3. Enamel Filling & Baking
The hard enamel colors were carefully selected and matched to the original artwork. Each color was applied separately and then baked at high temperatures to create a smooth, glossy surface.
4. Wet Grinding & Polishing
Wet grinding could make the lines on the pin clearer. The enamel was polished multiple times to achieve a high-quality finish without gaps or inconsistencies.
5. Plating
These mulan pins were gold-plated.
4. UV Printing for Detailed Enhancements
Unlike traditional enamel pins, which rely solely on metal and enamel for detailing, this mulan pin incorporated full UV printing to capture the delicate facial features, shading, and background details. The printing process allowed for:
- Smooth color gradients in the background, giving the scene more depth.
- Shading on the clothing, creating a sense of movement.
- Intricate floral elements, enhancing realism.
This step ensured that even the smallest details were clearly visible and added a unique effect to the enamel pin.
5. Final Assembly & Quality Inspection
After the production was completed, the mulan pins went through a strict quality inspection process, checking for:
- Smooth enamel surfaces without bubbles or overfills.
- Consistent gold plating without scratches or dull areas.
- Accurate UV printing alignment, ensuring all fine details were correctly placed.
Finally, each pin was individually packaged in protective wrapping before shipment.
Final Product & Client Feedback
The completed mulan pin was a true work of art, exceeding expectations in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and visual appeal. The combination of raised gold plating, smooth hard enamel, and intricate UV printing created a multi-layered and textured effect that set this pin apart from standard designs.
Client’s Feedback:
“The craftsmanship on this pin is absolutely breathtaking! The gold frame adds such an elegant touch, and the UV printing makes the details pop beautifully. The quality is top-tier, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!”
This pin was beautiful, showcasing the perfect blend of traditional artistry and modern manufacturing techniques.
Conclusion
The “Feeling of a Dream” enamel pin project is a prime example of how precision, artistry, and advanced techniques can come together to create a one-of-a-kind collectible. By integrating 3D gold metalwork, hard enamel filling, and UV printing, we successfully transformed an intricate digital illustration into a luxury enamel pin.
This case study highlights the importance of understanding client vision, using high-quality materials, and refining production techniques to achieve excellence in enamel pin manufacturing. Whether for collectors, artists, or brands, this project proves that enamel pins can be elevated into true works of art.