📚 Article Overview
🎯 Why Custom Made Pins Are a Smart Choice in 2025
Custom made pins are more than just decorative items — they’re wearable messages, tiny marketing tools, and emotional tokens. From startups launching their first product, to schools celebrating graduation, to brands rewarding employees — enamel pins continue to grow in popularity across industries.
But if you’re a first-time buyer, ordering custom pins may feel confusing:
- What type of pin should I choose?
- Will my logo work?
- Do I need a design file?
- How much will it cost?
- What if I need them fast?
This beginner-friendly guide walks you through everything — from concept to delivery — while answering real questions we’ve heard from thousands of customers over the past decade.
🎯 Whether you’re ordering 100 pins or 10,000, this guide will help you make the right decisions and get the best results.
📝 Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Goals
Before choosing materials or sending artwork, you need to define why you’re making pins and what you want them to achieve. Your purpose directly affects your budget, design, quantity, and delivery timeline.
Different customers have different goals. Here are a few common scenarios we often handle:
| Use Case | Recommended Pin Type |
|---|
| School Graduation or Clubs | Soft Enamel or Die Struck |
| Corporate Gifting or Recognition | Hard Enamel with Premium Plating |
| Large-scale Promotion or Giveaways | Soft Enamel (Cost-Effective) |
| Artist Merchandise or Collector Pins | Hard Enamel or Offset Printed |
💡 Pro Tip: Start small (100 pcs), test feedback, then scale up.
🎨 Step 2: Choose the Right Type of Custom Pin
The pin type affects your final product’s look, durability, and cost. Here’s how they compare:
🔍 Soft Enamel vs. Hard Enamel
| Feature | Soft Enamel | Hard Enamel |
|---|
| Surface Texture | Recessed colors with raised metal edges | Smooth, polished finish |
| Color Brightness | Vibrant and bold | Slightly muted but elegant |
| Durability | Good for casual or short-term use | Scratch-resistant and long-lasting |
| Price | Budget-friendly | Higher-end (about 20–30% more) |
| Best For | Promotions, clubs, schools | Gifts, awards, premium branding |
📌 Other Styles
- Die Struck: No color; antique or classic look
- Offset Printed: Best for gradients or photo-like detail
- 3D Molded: Sculpted texture; used for medals or faces
🖌️ Step 3: Prepare Your Design File & Choose Colors
You don’t need to be a designer — just understand the basics:
📁 File Types
| File Type | Use | Recommended? |
|---|
| AI / EPS / CDR | Best for mold; scalable | ✅ Yes |
| PDF | Good if exported properly | ✅ Yes |
| JPG / PNG | Needs conversion | ⚠️ OK |
| Sketch | Idea reference | 💡 We help |
🌈 Colors (PMS)
- Provide Pantone (PMS) codes if possible
- If unsure, describe (“bright red”) — we suggest
- Limit to 6 colors to save cost
📐 Size, Shape, Finish
- Common sizes: 1.0–1.5 inches
- Custom shapes: accepted
- Finishes: Gold, silver, black nickel, antique
📩 Step 4: Get a Quote, Approve Your Proof, and Start Production
Pricing should be transparent. Here’s what’s typically included:
| Item | Description |
|---|
| Unit Price | Based on type, size, and qty |
| Mold Fee | One-time; often waived |
| Plating | Gold, silver, antique, etc. |
| Backing | Butterfly, rubber, magnet, etc. |
| Packaging | Polybag (free) or upgraded box |
✅ Approving Your Proof
- Layout & size
- Color accuracy
- Text & spelling
🔍 Sample Options
| Type | Time | Cost |
|---|
| Photo Proof | 3–5 days | Free or low cost |
| Physical Sample | 7–10 days | $30–$60 + shipping |
🏭 Step 5: Production, Packaging & Shipping
Standard timeline (after proof approval):
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|
| Mold Creation | 2–3 days |
| Color Fill & Polish | 5–7 days |
| QC & Packing | 2 days |
| Shipping | 3–5 days |
🎁 Packaging
- Standard: polybag (free)
- Upgrades: backer card, gift box, velvet pouch
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|
| Ordering too late | Allow 3+ weeks |
| Tiny text / lines | Use 0.3mm+ stroke |
| No PMS colors | Provide color codes |
| Address issues | Double check shipping info |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is your MOQ?
100 pcs per design.
No design file?
We can help create one from sketches or ideas.
Shipping cost?
Based on country & weight; DHL/UPS worldwide.
Multiple colors per design?
Yes — 100 pcs per color variant required.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, to over 100 countries.
Reordering?
Yes — mold stored for 2 years, no extra fee.
🚀 Ready to Create Your Custom Pins?
- 🎨 Free design support
- 📦 Low MOQ (only 100 pcs)
- ⚡ Fast production & global delivery
📩 Request Your Free Quote Now