The Different Types of Pins You Can Customize
We don’t just offer one type of custom pin at The/Studio… We let you choose from EIGHT different types! Let’s learn more.
So you want to order custom pins. Good! Custom pins are an excellent merch item for new retailers and veterans alike. They’re small, so they’re easy to store and ship, and they’re extremely versatile. Your customers can attach custom pins to jackets, shirts, backpacks, purses, pants, and more! Any fabric can have a custom pin attached to it.
But at The/Studio you don’t just get a design printed onto your pin. We offer TONS of customization options, including eight different types of pins to choose from. So you may be asking…
Which Custom Pin Do I Choose?
Let’s review the different types of pins available to you:
- Soft Enamel
- Hard Enamel
- Die-Struck (No Color)
- 3D Mold
- Offset Printing
- Offset Printing w/ Thin Epoxy Coating
- Offset Printing w/ Thick Epoxy Dome
You’re probably thinking, ‘Okay, nice. But what does all this mean?’ Well, let’s break it down and review each option one by one.
Soft Enamel
A soft enamel pin is made with a soft enamel (duh) that forms “valleys” between metal lines. This pin style is perfect for colorful lapel pin designs, fashion pins, novelty pins, and commemorative pins, as well as for pins designed to sell in souvenir shops and for use as free swag.
Hard Enamel
Hard enamel pins are created by adding different pieces of colored enamel individually, then melting and baking this enamel together on top of a metal plate, resulting in a smooth, multicolored surface that’s uninterrupted by metal lines. Compared to soft enamel pins, hard enamel pins are smooth, untextured, and more expensive. These striking pins are perfect for colorful lapel pin designs and offer a sleek look for fashion and apparel brands. They’re also a great choice if you’re an artist looking to turn your art into wearable lapel pins. The hard enamel really allows vivid designs to POP.
Die-Struck
Similar to a coin, die-struck pins use raised or recessed metal to bring designs to life with metallic texture. They do not use any added color! Die-struck pins are perfect for textured and monochromatic designs. Some common choices for these are commemorative pins, award pins, pins with a family crest, any nostalgic or vintage designs, universities, and sororities or fraternities.
3D Mold
With a 3D mold, the shape of your pin is fully custom. We can create any shape or detail you’d like. Three-dimensional molding is recommended if you don’t want your lapel pin in the shape of a circle, but instead in a specific shape, like a heart or star.
Offset Printing
Simple offset printing is recommended for pins with a lot of text. This style of pin is a common choice for business organizations and companies, as well as sports teams.
Offset Printing w/ Thin Epoxy Coating
Your printed, photorealistic design is protected with a flat, single epoxy layer. Offset printing with a thin epoxy coating is recommended if you want to use a photograph in your design.
Offset Printing with Thick Epoxy Dome
Your design is printed using offset plates, and then a thick epoxy coating is applied to seal it, creating a protruding, dome shape. A thick epoxy dome is purely an aesthetic choice, recommended if you want your lapel pin to be in the shape of a dome instead of a flat circle.
Which Type of Pin Will You Order?
That’s one question we can’t answer for you! You have the info… Now the choice is up to you : ) Now that you know which pin you will be ordering, let’s get that order started. Contact one of our Creative Specialists or use our Create Tool to get your order going.
If you’re still confused about what type of pin you should order, don’t sweat it. Contact us at any point during the hands-on design process and we can walk you through it step-by-step to help you decide.
