A Guide to Pin Styles: Enamel Pins, Metal Pins, and More
Thinking of creating custom pins for your business?
That's an awesome idea! Pins are a fun and stylish way to showcase your designs while giving your customers a chance to express their personality. Whether they're pinning them to jackets, bags, hats, or accessories, pins offer endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression.
Now that you've decided to create custom pins, you're probably wondering where to start. The first step is choosing the right pin style for your brand. With so many options available, it can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry – we're here to help!
At THE/STUDIO, we offer six main types of pins: soft enamel pins, hard enamel pins, die-struck pins, 3D mold pins, and offset printed pins. While all of these pins are high-quality and fashionable, each type is better suited for different needs.
- Are you designing a colorful art deco piece for customers to pin on leather jackets?
- Looking to create a refined, heirloom-quality lapel pin with a professional finish?
- Need a fun, detailed novelty pin for a special event or giveaway?
- Want to personalize baseball caps or other accessories with a cool pin?
No matter your goal, THE/STUDIO can help you bring your ideas to life—just be sure to choose the right pin style for your project.
Before you dive into design or production, it’s important to understand the different pin styles and how each one can work for your vision. Keep reading for a breakdown of the six main types of pins, along with tips on how to customize your pins to make your collection truly unique.
Enamel Pins
Enamel pins are one of the most popular and widely recognized types of pins. When you think of a classic pin, chances are you're imagining an enamel pin. These pins are crafted from a blend of enamel and metal, and they're known for their vibrant colors and versatility in design. Enamel pins can be made in virtually any shape, making them a perfect fit for a wide range of uses.
Whether you're looking to make a fashion statement on a jean jacket, leather jacket, canvas tote bag, or baseball cap, enamel pins are an ideal choice. But they're not just for fun – enamel pins can also be used to create professional, official-looking lapel pins for corporate events, clubs, or organizations. They’re a great way to express personality, show team spirit, or represent a brand or cause.
There are two main types of enamel pins: soft enamel pins and hard enamel pins. Both offer the classic colorful finish, but they differ in production techniques, cost, and overall appearance. Soft enamel pins have a slightly textured surface, with the enamel sitting below the metal lines, creating a more dimensional look. Hard enamel pins, on the other hand, have a smooth, polished finish where the enamel is level with the metal, giving them a sleek, durable appearance.
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Soft Enamel Pins
Soft enamel pins are the most traditional and popular type of enamel pins. They are created by filling the open spaces of a metal design with soft enamel, offering a vibrant and textured finish. The process begins with plating the pin’s design with metal die lines, and at THE/STUDIO, we offer a wide range of 14 metal finishes and colors to choose from. After the metal is plated, enamel colors are added to fill the open areas, creating a beautifully detailed design.
Soft enamel pins are known for their classic look, with grooves or dips between the enamel and the metal die lines. This unique texture allows for intricate detailing and contrasting designs, giving the pin a dynamic appearance with both texture and shine.
One of the standout features of soft enamel pins is the wide range of colors available. At THE/STUDIO, you can choose from over 21 enamel colors for just one pin, giving you endless customization possibilities. These pins are also one of the most affordable custom pin options, with prices starting as low as $0.40 each, depending on the order quantity.
- Colorful: A wide variety of vibrant colors to choose from
- Textured: Noticeable grooves and dips for added dimension
- Metal + Enamel: A durable combination of metal and soft enamel
- Inexpensive: One of the most affordable custom pin options available
Hard Enamel Pins
Hard enamel pins offer a refined, polished look while still achieving the vibrant, colorful appearance you expect from enamel pins. Also known as cloisonné pins, they are created through a more intricate process than soft enamel pins. Each color of enamel is applied individually, then melted and baked onto a metal base. This method results in a smooth, flat surface with no textured dips, unlike soft enamel pins.
Hard enamel pins are available in a wide range of colors, with over 21 enamel options to choose from at THE/STUDIO, giving you plenty of room for customization. Due to the more complex design and production process, hard enamel pins are generally priced higher than soft enamel pins, but they’re still an affordable option, starting as low as $0.46 each, depending on the order quantity.
- Colorful: Bright, bold colors with a smooth finish
- Smooth: A sleek, polished surface with no texture
- Metal + Enamel: Durable metal base with only enamel visible
- More Expensive: Higher production cost due to the detailed process
Die-Struck Pins
Die-struck pins are a unique option that brings custom designs to life through raised and recessed metal, creating a textured, three-dimensional effect. This process is similar to creating custom coins, where a mold is made, and the design is stamped directly onto the metal. Unlike enamel pins, die-struck pins rely on texture rather than color or enamel to highlight the design, although you can choose to add enamel details if desired.
Die-struck pins are perfect for intricate, classic designs that don’t require color. Their monochromatic, metallic finish gives them a sophisticated, understated look, making them an excellent choice for lapel pins, logo pins, recognition pins, commemorative pins, or award pins. They’re also highly customizable, with THE/STUDIO offering 14 different metal finishes and options to suit your needs.
Best of all, die-struck pins are one of the most affordable custom pin options, with prices starting as low as $0.40 each, depending on your order quantity.
Die-Struck Pins at a Glance
- One Color: Monochromatic design with a sleek metallic finish
- Textured: Raised and recessed areas create a dynamic, tactile effect
- Metallic: Crafted from durable metal with a polished or matte finish
- Inexpensive: One of the most cost-effective custom pin options
3D Mold Pins
If you have a custom pin design with a truly unique shape in mind, a 3D mold pin is the perfect solution. These pins are crafted by creating a custom mold, then pouring metal into it to form intricate shapes and details. This allows for full customization, so you can create a pin in any shape or design, no matter how complex.
Similar to die-struck pins, 3D mold pins are typically made with metal only and don’t feature enamel color, although you can opt to add color if desired. The result is a highly textured, three-dimensional design that adds depth and dimension to your pin.
3D mold pins are ideal for a wide range of styles, from modern, geometric designs to elite, classic insignias. They’re a popular choice for lapel pins and can be customized to suit any theme, making them perfect for everything from corporate branding to collectible designs. Though these pins are typically crafted from one type of metal, THE/STUDIO offers 14 different metals and finishes, giving you plenty of flexibility in the design process.
While 3D mold pins are usually priced higher than die-struck or soft enamel pins, they’re still affordable, starting at just $0.46 each, depending on the order quantity.
3D Mold Pins at a Glance
- One Color: Typically metallic, with no enamel color additions
- Highly Textured: Intricate details and raised designs for a 3D effect
- Metallic: Crafted from durable metal for a sleek, professional look
- More Expensive: Higher production cost due to the custom mold process
Offset Printed Pins
Looking for a pin that captures intricate details and vibrant colors? Offset printed pins are the perfect choice. These pins are created by printing a full-color design directly onto the surface, then protecting it with an epoxy coating for durability. Ideal for designs that require high levels of detail or a wide range of colors, offset printed pins allow you to include as many colors as your design needs at a flat rate, making them an excellent option for complex, multicolor artwork.
While enamel pins can feature 21+ colors, adding more than five colors can increase the cost. With offset printed pins, you get the flexibility to use as many colors as your design requires without additional fees, making them a cost-effective solution for colorful, detailed pins.
Offset printed pins are especially popular for novelty items like event pins, concert memorabilia, wedding keepsakes, or promotional products. They're also a great choice for designers who want to showcase their artwork on pins without having to alter it for a different medium. Whether you're creating a pin for a fundraiser, trade show, or special occasion, offset printed pins can bring your design to life in a striking, photorealistic way.
These pins can be finished with either a thin epoxy coating or a thicker epoxy dome. The thin epoxy coating gives the pin a shiny, flat finish, while the thicker epoxy dome creates a 3D effect, adding extra depth to your design. While thin epoxy-coated pins start as low as $0.46 each (depending on order quantity), offset printed pins with a thick epoxy dome are the premium option, typically costing $0.48 each.
Offset Printed Pins at a Glance
- One Color: Full-color designs printed directly onto the pin
- Smooth Texture: Available in flat or domed finishes
- Printed: Perfect for detailed, photorealistic designs
- More Expensive: Higher cost due to the printing and coating process
Which Pin Style is Best?
Choosing the right pin style depends on your design, audience, and the purpose of the pin. Whether you’re creating custom pins for a business, an event, or a personal project, each type offers unique advantages that can align with your goals.
- For Classic and Elegant Pins: If you're creating a professional lapel pin for an upscale golf resort or corporate event, die-struck pins are an excellent choice. Their sleek, coin-like design exudes sophistication and is perfect for business attire or formal settings.
- For Eye-Catching, Colorful Designs: If your goal is to create vibrant, attention-grabbing pins for a younger audience, such as fans of vintage denim jackets or backpacks, enamel pins are the way to go. You can choose from hard enamel for a smooth, polished finish or soft enamel for a textured look that captures more detail and contrast.
- For High-Detail, Photorealistic Designs: Looking to create a pin that closely replicates a detailed image or design? Offset printed pins are ideal. They allow for an exact reproduction of photographs or intricate artwork, making them perfect for promotional items, event keepsakes, or custom artwork that requires multiple colors.
- For Custom Shapes and 3D Designs: If you’re seeking a unique, dimensional pin with custom shapes, 3D mold pins are an excellent option. They can be fully customized in both shape and design, giving your pin a unique metallic look that stands out in any collection.
- For the Best All-Around Pin: If you're after a versatile pin that balances color, detail, and affordability, soft enamel pins are the most popular choice. They offer bright, vibrant colors and support detailed designs, making them a perfect option for any project. Plus, they’re one of the most affordable custom pin options available.
The best pin style for your project will depend on your specific needs and the look you want to achieve. Whether you're creating professional lapel pins, colorful statement pieces, or custom shapes, THE/STUDIO offers a wide range of customizable pins to bring your designs to life. Choose the right pin style to make your business stand out!
Pin Customization Options
When it comes to creating custom pins, THE/STUDIO gives you far more than just choosing a style. Our easy-to-use online design tool allows you to fully personalize your pins, from the material finish to unique add-ons. After selecting the perfect pin style, you can enhance your design with a wide range of customization options to make your pin truly one-of-a-kind.
Here are the key features you can customize for your custom pins:
1. Material Color and Finish
Choose from a variety of high-quality metal finishes to match your brand or design aesthetic. Options include:
- Shiny finishes: Gold, Gunmetal, Silver, Nickel, Rose Gold, Brass, Copper
- Antique finishes: Gold, Silver, Brass, Nickel, Copper
- Brushed Brass
- Black Paint Finish
- You can even select two metal colors with the same finish for a unique effect.
2. Pin Backing Attachment
Select the type of backing that best suits your pin. Available options include:
- Butterfly Clutch Pin Backing
- Rubber Clutch Pin Backing
- Deluxe Clutch Pin Backing
- 2-Piece Magnet Backing
- Safety Pin Backing
- Bar Magnet Backing
- Bent Legs Backing
Choose the backing that complements your design and intended use.
3. Pin Color Customization
Decide how many colors you’d like to incorporate into your pin:
- No color
- Up to 5 enamel colors
- 6–21+ enamel colors
You can create a vibrant, colorful design or opt for a minimalist monochrome look.
4. Fun Add-Ons & Upgrades
Take your pin to the next level with additional upgrades:
- Glitter Enamel
- Embossing or Debossing
- Engraving
- Sand-blasting
- Glow-in-the-dark Enamel
- Rhinestones
- Translucent Enamel
- Aluminum Core Metal
These upgrades add texture, depth, and extra flair to your pin design.
5. Custom Backing Cards
Selling your pins in stores or at events? Make them retail-ready with custom backing cards. These cards can be personalized to match your branding and provide a professional touch when presenting your pins to customers.
Note: Some customization options may come with additional costs, but with so many possibilities, you’re sure to find a combination that fits your budget and style.
Start Designing Your Pin Today!
Ready to create the perfect pin for your business or personal collection? Click here to start the customization process and bring your unique pin ideas to life with THE/STUDIO.
