Industry News

Different types of materials to suit your enamel pins

Author : QunYi Gifts

Update time : 2023-11-24 16:03:09

Different types of materials to suit your enamel pins

Making an enamel pin involves a lot more decisions than you might think.

These days, it's easy (and surprisingly affordable!) to leave production to the experts. . As long as you have an Internet connection and an idea, you can work with top manufacturers to bring your enamel pin vision to life. (As long as you work with the right manufacturer, you won't have to order thousands of pins or spend thousands of dollars to do this!)

But here's the beauty of creating custom pins: they're completely custom. This means you have the freedom to personalize the type of pin you create, the design incorporated into the pin, the backing on the pin, and even the material used to create the pin.

The material you use affects not only the overall look of the pin, but also the color, cost, and perceived quality of the pin. With the right materials, your pins are likely to be durable, stylish, and instantly sellable; Choose the wrong material and your pins can be fragile, look cheap, and really hard to move.

At QunYi Gifts, we offer a variety of materials for you to choose from to make your pins.

You're not just choosing between silver or gold - there are more than 10 metallic colors and finishes to choose from, and you'll have to seriously consider which one is the best choice.

But in addition to that, you must also determine which type of enamel to use to make the enamel pin and the material you want to use for the pin backing.

We will cover all the different types of materials that QunYi Gifts offers so that you can create attractive, high quality custom pins.

Enamel options

Enamel pins are made out of metal and enamel paint. Enamel paint is solvent-based paint that dries to a hard, opaque, usually glossy finish. It’s a popular choice for pins since it is strong, long-lasting, and extremely vibrant.

When choosing a material for an enamel pin, you have two types to choose from: hard enamel and soft enamel. While these pins are actually made of the same type of enamel, their production process results in a slightly different look and feel.

Soft enamel pins are the most traditional type of pin. When making soft enamel pins, liquid enamel paint is poured into the grooves of the die metal before baking and hardening. The pouring process creates concave valleys, resulting in a smooth, textured surface. Soft enamel pins are not soft to the touch - once baked, they are hard and durable, though slightly less so than hard enamel pins. They are an excellent choice for more detailed designs. Soft enamel pins are the most affordable type of enamel pin.

Hard enamel pins are made by adding a single piece of colored enamel to a die metal die, baking the pins, and then polishing and grinding the pins to create a smooth, flat surface. Hard enamel pins are generally thicker and more durable than soft enamel pins, but they do not support the high level of detail that soft enamel pins do. Due to the high quality and complex production process, the cost of hard enamel pins is slightly higher than that of soft enamel pins.

At QunYi Gifts, we offer over 20 different colors of hard and soft glazes to choose from. You can add up to 5 different colors to the same pin for free, or up to 20 more colors for an extra fee.

Of course, you can also choose to create a pin that doesn’t include any enamel at all! At The/Studio, we also offer monochromatic metallic pins such as die-struck or 3D mold pins as well as printed pins such as offset printed pins with thin epoxy coating. Learn more about the different types of pins available here.

Which type of enamel is best for my pin?
The best type of enamel to choose for your enamel pins depends on your pin design, budget, and general preferences.
If your pin design is fairly detailed, then soft enamel pins may be more appropriate. But if you prefer the color block style and prefer a smooth surface, then hard enamel pins are definitely your best choice.

If your budget is tight, custom soft enamel pins usually cost less than custom hard enamel pins. But if you're looking for the absolute highest quality product and are willing to pay a little more to get it, go straight to custom hard enamel pins.

Metal Options
If you create a 3D mold pin or a die-struck pin, the type of metal you choose will determine the look and feel of your entire pin.But even if you have your heart set on making enamel pins, you still have to choose the type of metal needed for the enamel pin base and profile. QunYi Gifts offers over 10 different types of metal and finish options that you can choose from for your pins, some of which are listed below for reference:

~Shiny gold – shiny gold pins have a metallic gold finish with a polished surface.

~Antique gold – antique gold pins have a gold finish with a distressed surface for an aged effect.

~Antique silver – antique silver pins have a silver finish with a distressed surface for an aged effect.

~Black paint – black paint pins have a metal base coated in black paint for a full matte effect.

~Shiny nickel – shiny nickel pins have a silver-colored finish with a polished surface.

~Shiny gunmetal – shiny gunmetal pins have a metallic dark gray finish with a polished surface.

~Shiny silver – shiny silver pins have a classic silver finish with a polished surface.

~Shiny rose gold – shiny rose gold pins have a rose gold finish with a polished surface.

~Shiny brass – shiny brass pins have a brass finish with a polished surface.

~Antique brass – antique brass pins have a brass finish with a distressed surface for an aged effect.

~Antique nickel – antique nickel pins have a silver-colored finish with a distressed surface to add an aged effect.

~Shiny copper – shiny copper pins have a copper finish with a polished surface.

~Antique copper – antique copper pins have a copper finish with a distressed surface for an aged effect.

~Brushed brass – brushed brass pins have a brass finish with a brushed surface for a rough, aged look.

Which metal is best for my pin?
The type of metal and finish that works best for your pins depends on your intended design, aesthetic, and color palette. Since enamel pins often involve a variety of bright colors, you'll need to consider how different metal color options fit with the rest of your design. That being said, all the available metals and finishes are a quality choice - the decision for this material is largely a matter of taste.

Due to the grinding and polishing process involved, some metal/surface treatment options are not compatible with hard enamel pins. If you plan to make hard enamel pins, you cannot choose metals with antique finishes or black paint coatings. Soft enamel pins are compatible with all metal/finish options.

Combine materials in enamel pins
15 Pack Outdoor Enamel Pin Backpack Aesthetic Enamel Pin Set Natural Button Pins Vintage Lapel Pins Camping Pins

15 Pack Outdoor Enamel Pin Backpack Aesthetic Enamel Pin Set Natural Button Pins Vintage Lapel Pins Camping Pins

Can't decide between two different metals or finish colors? No need! QunYi Gifts offers the option to mix two of the same finish metal colors to create a multi-toned base. This means that you can choose any two metallic colors (such as gold, silver, brass, or rose gold) to combine in a pin, as long as they have the same surface effect (such as shiny or antique). For example, you can choose to combine antique silver and antique gold, but not shiny brass and antique nickel.

You might notice the contrast that comes from combining two different colors of metal more in a die-struck or 3D mold pin, but it’s also an option for hard or soft enamel pins.

Note that all enamel pins essentially combine two types of materials into one pin – metal and enamel.

Enamel pin backing attachment
Your enamel pin backing accessories may not have much of an impact on the look of a pin on a jacket or backpack, but they can have a significant impact on the functionality and perceived quality of the pin. After all, your customers aren't just looking for pins with eye-catching designs - they also want to be confident that their pins won't come off or fall apart.

At QunYi Gifts, we offer a wide selection of different enamel pin backing accessories，here are some of the most common types:

Butterfly clutch backing – a butterfly clutch is the most traditional type of pin backing. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to attach and remove. Traditional butterfly clutches are metallic.

Safety pin – this pin backing uses a traditional, gold-colored safety pin backing to hold the pin in place.

Black rubber clutch backing – this type of pin backing is similar in shape and function to a butterfly clutch, but the pin backing is secured with a circular black rubber closure.

Yellow rubber clutch backing – this type of pin backing is similar to a black rubber clutch, only the backing is a vibrant yellow, making it easier to spot.

Deluxe clutch backing – a deluxe clutch is a higher-quality version of a traditional butterfly clutch. A deluxe clutch has a brushed metal texture for a more upscale look.

2-piece magnet backing – this pin backing involves two pieces – a magnetic backing permanently affixed to the pin, and a small circular magnet used to hold the pin in place.

Bar magnet backing – similar to 2-piece magnet backing, this pin backing uses a larger bar magnet for a sturdier hold.

What type of backing attachment is best for my pin?
All of the above backing attachment options are durable and easy to both attach and remove. The best type of backing attachment for your pin will depend on its design and intended purpose.

For example, a magnet backing may be better suited for a nametag that has to be taken on and off often, a traditional clutch pin backing might be better for more permanent pins, and a bent leg backing might be best if your pin will be worn on a button-up shirt. Be sure to consider the size of your pin as well – some larger pin backings such as safety pin or bar magnet backing might not be suitable for very small pins.

All pin backing options are compatible with all pin types, including both hard enamel pins and soft enamel pins.

Other pin material options
But wait, that’s not all! Once you’ve settled on the type of enamel, metal, and backing attachment you’d like to use for your pin, you can add on optional materials if you’d like, including:
~Glitter, glow-in-the-dark, or translucent enamel

~Extra backing attachments for stability
Protective coating

~Rhinestones

~Aluminum core metal to decrease your pin’s weight

You’ll also have the option to add on embossing, engraving, sand-blasting, or debossing to change the look of your pin.

Note that most optional upgrades come with an additional cost.

Now that you have a better feel for the different enamel pin materials available, you are one step closer to creating your ideal pin. Are you ready to get started? This is where the process begins.

Previous : How to Make Custom Keychains for Promotional Giveaways

Next : What to look for in the best enamel pin makers

Language

Language

Different types of materials to suit your enamel pins