How to Use AI to Create Your First Custom Enamel Pin

by Tom Company information

A Beginner-Friendly Guide (With a Lion Pin Example)

If this is your first time making a custom enamel pin, the hardest part is often not choosing a manufacturer, but understanding how your existing image can be turned into something that clearly looks like a real pin.

This guide is based on a real HIPINS project. We started with a client-provided lion image, then used AI-assisted tools and manufacturing experience to refine it step by step into two production-style mockups:

  • 1.25” Hard Enamel style
  • 1.25” Soft Enamel style (true recessed enamel)

Nothing here was designed from scratch. Every step builds directly on the original image.

original image.

Step 1: Start With the Image You Already Have

Many first-time pin buyers think they need to design something new. In reality, you can often start with an existing image — a logo, badge, or illustration.

In this case, the original image already included:

  • A circular badge layout
  • “Manchester” on the top arc
  • “The LYONS” in the center
  • “70th Anniversary” on the bottom arc

The client asked us to keep the structure, but update the size, text, and finish.

Step 2: Where AI Comes In (Platform & Input)

We used ChatGPT image generation and image-editing workflows to assist the process. AI was not used to invent a new design — it was used to help translate the original image into pin-style mockups.

What we entered into AI:

  • The original client image
  • Target size: 1.25 inches
  • Plating: gold
  • Text change: “70th Anniversary” → “Member 2026”
  • Request for both hard enamel and soft enamel styles

Step 3: First AI Mockups — Hard vs Soft Enamel

The first AI-assisted output produced two versions based on the same artwork:

  • Hard enamel style (flat, polished look)
  • Soft enamel style (intended recessed look)

First draft comparison of hard enamel and soft enamel styles.

First draft comparison of hard enamel and soft enamel styles.

Step 4: Fixing the Biggest Issue — Soft Enamel Was Too Flat

The first soft enamel mockup did not pass review because it looked too flat. True soft enamel must clearly show:

  • Raised metal lines acting as structural walls
  • Enamel sitting visibly lower than the metal
  • Natural inner edge shadows

A real soft enamel reference was used as a visual anchor to correct the depth.

Step 5: Small but Critical Detail — “The” as Bare Metal

Another professional adjustment involved the word “The”. Instead of filling it with enamel, it was changed to bare gold metal.

  • Improves legibility
  • Prevents enamel clogging on small text
  • Creates visual hierarchy

Step 6: Final Approved Mockups

After all revisions, two clear mockups were delivered:

  • 1.25” Hard Enamel — flat, clean, polished appearance
  • 1.25” Soft Enamel — strong recessed enamel and raised metal walls

Final hard enamel vs soft enamel mockups.

1.25” Hard Enamel
1.25” Soft Enamel 

What First-Time Pin Buyers Can Learn From This

  • You can start from an existing image
  • AI helps visualize pin-style mockups quickly
  • Soft enamel must show real recessed depth
  • Manufacturing knowledge turns concepts into reality

FAQ: Using AI for Custom Enamel Pins

Can I use AI if I can’t draw?

Yes. This project started from an existing image. AI helped convert it into pin-style mockups without redrawing from scratch.

Do I need to choose hard or soft enamel first?

No. One image can be used to generate both styles. The difference is in visual depth, not the base structure.

Why does soft enamel often look wrong in AI images?

Because AI tends to render it too flat. True soft enamel requires visible recessed enamel and raised metal lines.

Final Tip: Use AI to make your idea visible — then let manufacturing experience make it real.

Related Posts