When it comes to custom lapel pins, the design matters —
but what truly determines the texture, appearance, and final impact is the craftsmanship.

Over 80% of our first-time clients don’t fully understand the differences between common pin crafts. That’s why choosing the wrong process often leads to unsatisfactory results, wasted costs, and delays.

To help you make informed decisions, we’ve summarized the 5 most widely used pin-making crafts, along with their features, advantages, and application scenarios —
so you can pick the craft that perfectly matches your design, purpose, and budget.

1. Soft Enamel Pins

Soft enamel is the most common and cost-effective craft.
The metal lines remain raised, and colored enamel is filled into recessed areas, creating a tactile surface with slight depth.

Key Features:

• Bright colors with raised metal borders
• Slight texture and dimensional effect
• Optional epoxy coating for added protection

Best for:
Logos, event giveaways, simple icons, illustration pins

2. Hard Enamel Pins

This process involves filling enamel colors until they’re level with the metal, followed by polishing the surface for a smooth, mirror-like finish. It’s more refined than soft enamel, with a higher-end feel.

Key Features:

• Glossy and smooth surface
• Elegant, premium look
• Durable and scratch-resistant

Best for:
Corporate gifts, official logos, formal branding, award pins

3. Printing with Epoxy Coating

For artwork with gradients, fine lines, or photo-level detail, printing is the best solution. The design is printed directly onto the pin surface using silkscreen or offset printing, often with an epoxy coating.

Key Features:

• Ideal for complex designs and photo realism
• Highly accurate color reproduction
• Epoxy layer optional for protection and gloss

Best for:
Anime/manga art, portraits, complex logos, custom patterns

4. 3D Die-Cast Pins

Unlike enamel or printing, 3D pins are made entirely of metal. The design is sculpted with varying depths, using custom molds to create a relief-like effect — often with antique or polished finishes.

Key Features:

• No color fill, only metal
• Strong dimensional feel and detail
• Suitable for high-end commemorative pins

Best for:
Architectural icons, emblems, crests, profile reliefs, coins

5. Soft Enamel With Clean Epoxy Coating

Epoxy is a clear resin coating applied on top of enamel or printed pins. It provides a smooth, domed finish that enhances shine and protects the artwork from scratches and fading.

Key Features:

• Glossy, rounded surface similar to glass
• Scratch-resistant and waterproof
• Adds a playful, polished touch

Best for:
Cartoon-style designs, soft branding, children’s badges, high-touch merchandise

🧠 How to Choose the Right Pin Craft?

Here’s a quick decision guide based on your design needs:

💬 Our Service Promise

At hipins, we specialize in high-quality custom pins for overseas clients.
We not only handle production and packaging, but also provide pre-production consultation to ensure the most suitable process is used for your artwork.

Every design you send us will receive a free professional evaluation and tailored recommendation —
so you can be confident in both the outcome and the investment.

📌 Our Pins Are Ideal For:

✅ Brand merchandise & IP licensing — boost visual identity
✅ Corporate gifts & employee events — enhance engagement
✅ Organizational or team events — unify group identity
✅ School graduation pins — keep memories alive
✅ Limited edition collector pins — build product scarcity
✅ Fan support & creator community — express emotion through metal

Whether you’re a designer, agency, brand owner, or creating pins for the first time —
we’re here to help you bring your idea to life with the right process and the right support.

📩 Need help choosing the right craft?
Send us your artwork or sketch — our team will get back to you with suggestions.

Email: sales@hipins.com
Website: www.hipins.com
Factory Location: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China — Global shipping supported.