Different Types of Materials for Enamel Pins

Making enamel pins requires a lot more decision-making than you might think. Currently, it's simple (and surprisingly inexpensive!) to delegate production problems to experts. You can collaborate with a leading manufacturer to bring your enamel pin vision to life if you have an internet connection and a concept. (And if you work with the Proper manufacturer, you won't have to order thousands of pins or spend thousands of dollars!)

Yet the beauty of making personalized pins is that they are unique. That means you may choose the type of pin you make, the design you include in it, the backing that goes on the pin, and even the materials used to make it.

The materials you choose will influence not only the overall appearance of your pin, but also the colors, cost, and perceived quality of your pin. If you choose the correct materials, your pin will be robust, elegant, and an immediate bestseller; if you use the wrong materials, your pin will be weak, cheap-looking, and difficult to move. We have a large selection of materials from which to make your pin.

Enamel Options

Metal and enamel paint are used to create enamel pins. Enamel paint is a solvent-based paint that dries hard, is opaque, and is usually glossy. Because it is sturdy, long-lasting, and incredibly brilliant, it is a popular option for pins. When it comes to materials for your enamel pin, you have two options: hard enamel and soft enamel. While these pins are made of the same enamel, their manufacturing processes result in a slightly different appearance and feel.

The most traditional style of pin is soft enamel. Before baking and hardening a soft enamel pin, liquid enamel paint is poured into the grooves of die-struck metal. Valleys are formed during the pouring process, giving in a glossy, textured appearance. Soft enamel pins are not soft to the touch; once baked, they are robust and durable, though not as much as hard enamel pins. They're ideal for more elaborate designs. Soft enamel pins are the least expensive form of enamel pin.

Individual pieces of colored enamel are added to a die-struck metal mold, and the pin is baked, then polished and ground, resulting in a smooth, flat surface. Hard enamel pins are thicker and more robust than soft enamel pins, but they cannot support the same level of detail as soft enamel pins. Hard enamel pins are slightly more expensive than soft enamel pins due to their greater quality and more extensive manufacturing procedures.

Metal Options

If you create a 3D-molded 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 creating an enamel pin, you’ll still have to choose which type of metal you’d like for your enamel pin’s base and outline.

Shiny gold: shiny gold pins have a metallic gold 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.

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.

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.

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.

Other pin material options

But wait, there's more! Once you've decided on the sort of enamel, metal, and backing attachment you want to use for your pin, you can add optional materials such as:

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