Overview

Creating custom enamel pins inspired by iconic anime characters is a rewarding blend of creativity and precision craftsmanship. This case study explores the development of a hard enamel pin featuring Shirahoshi, the beloved mermaid princess from One Piece. With a delicate balance of aesthetic elegance and material resilience, this pin was crafted for a collector’s merchandise series with demanding quality standards.

Client Requirements

The client requested a highly detailed hard enamel pin that captured the whimsical and delicate nature of Shirahoshi. Key requirements included:

• Size: Approximately 3.7 inches tall
• Material: Zinc alloy base with 2.4mm thickness
• Plating: Polished gold finish
• Color fidelity: Accurate to anime references, including gradient and translucent effects
• Backstamp: Custom logo design
• Attachments: Three rubber clutches for stability due to its larger size
• Packaging: PVC bag with bubble wrap

Crafting Process

1. Design Translation and Layering
The illustration was carefully redrawn into vector layers, separating all metallic lines, fill colors, and printed details. Multiple layers were necessary to manage raised metal, recessed areas, and print overlays.

2. Enamel Color Specification
The color palette was mapped using Pantone and custom-coded references:

• Whites: PMS 705, 705 50%, 705 50%-stained glass
• Reds and pinks: 699 (adjusted to 698), 706, 693
• Accent black: PMS Black 7
• Transparent enamel: 7418-trans sandblast effect
• Gold metal: Defined for all linework and outlines

3. Material and Thickness
Zinc alloy was selected for its versatility in casting intricate details. A 2.4mm thickness was used to provide structural integrity for such a large pin.

4. Polishing and Plating
Post-enameling, the entire pin was hand-polished to ensure a smooth surface, highlighting the translucent and gradient enamel details under the gold plating. This step ensured that even the smallest ornamental flourishes—like Shirahoshi’s flowing hair—remained distinct.

Client Interaction Highlights

From the first design draft, the client was highly involved and detail-focused. A notable piece of feedback included:

“Please make sure the stained glass areas are flat and ready for silk screen printing.”

We adjusted the enamel layering accordingly and confirmed by providing mockup visuals with highlighted areas for print-only zones.
Another round of feedback asked for a correction:

“Change 699 to 698 for better hue balance against the character’s tail.”
This precision helped us fine-tune the final coloration, ensuring high fidelity to the anime’s aesthetic.

Production Workflow

• Stage 1: Mold engraving and die-cutting
• Stage 2: Manual coloring using injection for hard enamel, followed by high-temperature curing
• Stage 3: Surface polishing and fine grinding
• Stage 4: Plating in gold finish
• Stage 5: Post-plating inspection, printing of fine details, and backstamp engraving
• Stage 6: Attachment of three rubber clutches to reinforce grip for larger format
• Stage 7: Final QA and individual bubble-wrap packaging

Post-Production Details

We paid particular attention to the subtle print areas, such as facial features and blush marks. These were applied after plating and polishing, using high-resolution screen printing. The back of the pin featured a custom logo, printed and laser-etched for permanence.

The final product was packed in individual PVC bags with internal bubble wrap to prevent any damage during shipping. A branded card insert was included upon client request for retail display purposes.

Client Feedback

The customer was delighted with the outcome, stating:

“We were impressed by the high-quality finish and polished detailing. The transparent enamel parts turned out better than expected.”

Such feedback reinforces the importance of balancing design, color science, and technical feasibility in every step of the pin-making process.

FAQs

Q1: Why choose hard enamel over soft enamel for anime pins?
Hard enamel offers a smooth, polished finish that matches the high-end feel expected from collectible anime merchandise. It’s more durable and colorfast compared to soft enamel.

Q2: How are translucent and stained-glass enamel effects achieved?
We use specialized transparent pigment fills layered under raised metal lines. The metal is polished before and after coloring to allow light to pass through the pigment cleanly.

Q3: What packaging is best for larger enamel pins?
We recommend PVC bags with internal bubble wrap and optionally, custom card inserts for retail. For pins over 2.5 inches, using 2–3 rubber clutches ensures secure attachment.

Q4: How long does production typically take?
Standard production takes 15–20 days post-proof approval. Custom features like gradient fills or multi-layer printing may extend the lead time slightly.

Conclusion

This Shirahoshi enamel pin project showcases the power of thoughtful design and precise execution. By integrating intricate artwork with advanced enamel techniques, we brought an iconic anime character to life in collectible form. Whether for fandom collections or limited-edition merchandising, our enamel pins combine artistry with durability.

Want to create a pin that tells your story?
Contact us to bring your character designs to life with museum-grade detail and craftsmanship.