Crafted with Rose Gold Plating, Printing, and Stained Glass Effects by HIPINS

Project Overview

This custom enamel pin project centers on Glinda, a delicately illustrated character designed with strong visual depth and decorative complexity. The artwork combines character portrait illustration, floral elements, translucent stained glass color, and ornamental metal lines. From the beginning, the client’s goal was clear: create a premium, collectible-grade pin that balances elegance, durability, and storytelling detail.

HIPINS was entrusted with translating this layered illustration into a functional, wearable pin while preserving every artistic nuance. The final solution involved a two-piece construction, hard enamel with printing, rose gold plating, and selective translucent effects, resulting in a refined and dimensional finished product.

Client Requirements

The client provided detailed production notes directly on the artwork, specifying both aesthetic and technical expectations. Key requirements included:

• Hard enamel combined with printing for fine facial details
• Rose gold plating for a warm, elegant metallic tone
• Two-layer construction (top layer and bottom layer) for depth
• Use of stained glass enamel for translucent areas
• UV printing to maintain gradients and subtle color transitions
• Cut-outs to reduce weight while enhancing design clarity
• Rubber clutch backing for comfortable everyday wear

Additionally, the client highlighted an important material consideration: rose gold plating is prone to oxidation. This required careful control of electroplating and surface protection during production.

Design Breakdown and Layer Structure

The artwork clearly distinguishes between Bottom Layer and Top Layer, which played a critical role in manufacturing planning.

Bottom Layer
The bottom layer serves as the structural base. It features large stained glass areas in soft pink tones, allowing light to pass through and creating a glass-like appearance. Raised rose gold metal outlines define the silhouette and internal boundaries. This layer also includes multiple cut-out points, marked precisely in the artwork, to ensure alignment with the top layer.

Top Layer
The top layer presents Glinda in full detail. Her facial features, hair, and gown rely on UV printing to achieve smooth gradients that traditional enamel filling cannot replicate. Floral elements and decorative borders are framed with raised rose gold metal, adding contrast against the printed areas. This layered approach enhances depth and gives the pin a jewelry-like quality.

Crafting Process at HIPINS

1. Mold Development and Layer Alignment
Separate molds were created for the top and bottom layers. Precision was critical, as misalignment would compromise both appearance and assembly. HIPINS’ engineers ensured all cut-outs, pin posts, and connection points matched perfectly.

2. Metal Forming and Polishing
Each layer was die struck to achieve crisp raised metal lines. After forming, components were polished to remove surface imperfections, preparing them for plating.

3. Rose Gold Plating
Rose gold plating was applied evenly across all raised metal areas. Given its tendency to oxidize, HIPINS used controlled plating baths and post-treatment sealing to improve color stability without dulling the finish.

4. Enamel Filling and Stained Glass Application
Stained glass enamel was carefully injected into designated areas of the bottom layer. As noted in the artwork, small areas were expected to appear more translucent in the final product, which was accounted for during color selection.

5. UV Printing
UV printing was applied to the top layer to reproduce gradients, facial expressions, and intricate textures. This step ensured that Glinda’s character illustration remained faithful to the original design.

6. Assembly and Attachment
After curing and inspection, the two layers were assembled securely. Rubber clutches were attached to the back, chosen for their comfort and reduced risk of scratching.

Production Workflow and Quality Control

Throughout production, HIPINS followed a multi-stage inspection process:

• Color accuracy checks after enamel filling and printing
• Plating consistency inspection to prevent oxidation spots
• Assembly alignment verification
• Back attachment strength testing

Only pins that passed all checks proceeded to final packaging, which included individual PVC bags and bubble protection.

Client Interaction Highlights

During sampling, HIPINS shared progress photos and explained how translucent enamel behaves differently from solid colors. This proactive communication helped set accurate expectations and minimized revision rounds.

The client later commented:
“Our client said: ‘The layered construction and rose gold finish brought the character to life exactly as we imagined.’”

Final Result

The completed Glinda enamel pin delivers a refined balance of artistry and craftsmanship. The stained glass bottom layer adds luminosity, while the printed top layer captures expressive detail. Rose gold plating ties the entire piece together with a warm, premium finish suitable for collectors and themed merchandise alike.

FAQ

Q1: Why was hard enamel chosen instead of soft enamel?
Hard enamel provides a smooth, polished surface that complements fine illustration and layered construction, making it ideal for high-end character pins.

Q2: Can rose gold plating be made more oxidation-resistant?
Yes. While rose gold naturally oxidizes faster than nickel or gold, proper plating control and sealing significantly slow the process.

Q3: Is stained glass enamel durable for daily wear?
When applied correctly and supported by raised metal lines, stained glass enamel is durable and visually striking.

Q4: Why combine UV printing with enamel?
UV printing allows for gradients, facial shading, and intricate details that enamel alone cannot achieve.

Q5: Can this design be adapted to a single-layer pin?
Technically yes, but the depth and visual impact would be reduced. The two-layer structure is key to this design’s premium appearance.

Conclusion

This Glinda enamel pin project showcases HIPINS’ ability to handle complex, multi-technique designs with precision and care. By combining hard enamel, stained glass effects, UV printing, and rose gold plating, we transformed a detailed illustration into a collectible-quality pin. For brands and artists seeking refined character pins with layered depth and consistent quality, HIPINS remains a trusted manufacturing partner from concept to completion.