Overview
This case study showcases the design and production process of a highly detailed, luxury-grade 3D enamel pin created for Halloween 2022. Featuring a mystical female character in an elaborate gown, this pin incorporates gold plating, multiple enamel colors, 3D relief, gemstone accents, and screen-printed details, making it a standout collector’s item.
The project involved multiple production techniques, including recessed metal relief, multi-layered enameling, and precise screen printing, to ensure a high-quality final product. The result was an intricately detailed, visually stunning pin that met the client’s high expectations for craftsmanship and exclusivity.
Pin Design Details
The client wanted a premium enamel pin with a highly decorative and sophisticated design to match their Halloween 2022 theme. Their key requirements included:
- Size: Approximately 140mm tall and 63.304mm wide, larger than standard enamel pins
- Material & Finish: Zinc alloy with gold plating, ensuring a durable yet elegant look
- 3D Embellishments: Raised metal relief for added depth and texture
- Enamel Colors: A combination of regular, pearl, translucent and glitter enamel for a multi-dimensional effect
- Screen Printing: Fine details on facial features, eyeshadow, and outfit highlights
- Crystal Accents: Embedded colored gemstones in multiple areas for a luxury finish
- Backstamp Customization: A special engraving for the Halloween 2022 collection
- Packaging: Each pin to be packed in a PVC bag with bubble wrap for protection
Some Processes
1. Design & Digital Proofing
The project began with detailed digital artwork, converting the client’s concept into a production-ready design. The proofing process included:
- Accurate Pantone color matching for enamel consistency
- Precise mapping of 3D relief areas to ensure depth
- Screen print details for the character’s facial features, makeup, and book highlights
- Gemstone placement planning for a balanced and luxurious appearance
At this stage, adjustments were made based on the client’s feedback, refining the color transitions, shading, and screen print placements to ensure a polished final look.
2. Material Selection & Mold Creation
For a pin of this size and complexity, zinc alloy was chosen as the base metal due to its flexibility and ability to capture intricate details.
A custom 3D mold was created to achieve:
- Raised relief details for the character’s hair, clothing, and ornate background
- Engraved lettering on the book and backstamp
- Deep recesses for gemstone placement
The mold ensured that every intricate element of the design would translate perfectly into metal.
The back of the pin featured a laser-engraved backstamp with the text:
“Hocus Pocus – Halloween 2022”
This ensured the piece was exclusive to the collection and added a high-end finishing touch.
3. Enameling
This enamel pin featured an exceptionally diverse enamel application, combining solid, pearl, and glitter enamels to create an eye-catching visual effect.
- Glitter enamel was used for the cloak and background highlights, adding a magical shimmer
- Pearlescent finishes enhanced the skin tone and book details for a refined look
- Enameling techniques were applied to ensure smooth transitions and vibrant colors
4. Wet Grinding & Plating
- The metal lines of pins showed through wet grinding.
- Gold plating was applied to the raised metal areas, providing a luxurious contrast against the rich enamel colors
5. Printing
- Screen printing was added for fine facial features, eyeshadow, and lip highlights, giving the character a more expressive and realistic appearance
This multi-layered approach ensured the pin maintained its artistic integrity while enhancing visual depth.
6. Adding Gemstones
One of the most striking features of this enamel pin was the addition of multiple gemstones, embedded in the ornate golden arch behind the character.
- Green, red, and purple gemstones (2mm and 3mm sizes) were carefully placed to enhance the magical aura
These additions made the enamel pin feel premium and collectible, aligning with the client’s luxury branding goals.
7. Packaging
Each pin was then packaged in a PVC bag with bubble wrap, ensuring it arrived in pristine condition for collectors.
Final Product & Client Feedback
The final enamel pin was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, meeting all design and production expectations. The combination of gold plating, vibrant enamel, 3D relief, and crystal accents made this a highly sought-after collector’s item.
The client was thrilled with the outcome:
“The final product is absolutely stunning! The mix of glitter enamel, metallic detailing, and crystal accents make it truly stand out. This will be a top-selling piece in our collection.”
They also praised the precision of the screen printing and the clarity of the gemstone placements, noting that the pin’s design successfully captured the enchanting, mystical feel they wanted for Halloween 2022.
Conclusion
This project demonstrated the perfect blend of artistic creativity and technical precision, resulting in a high-end, collectible enamel pin.
By incorporating 3D detailing, premium gold plating, multi-textured enameling, and gemstone embellishments, the final product exceeded expectations and became a standout item in the client’s Halloween collection.
This case study highlights the importance of meticulous design planning, advanced enameling techniques, and high-quality craftsmanship in producing luxury enamel pins that resonate with collectors and enthusiasts alike.