How to Make Your Own Enamel Pin？

Step-by-step Guide

Creating your own enamel pin is easier than you think. Whether it’s for merch, events, branding, or your personal collection, this guide walks you through every essential step—from artwork to production to choosing the right manufacturer. Use these shortcuts, templates, and factory insights to avoid mistakes and get your custom enamel pins made exactly the way you imagine.

Step 1:
Prepare Your Design Files

Your artwork is the foundation of a great enamel pin.

If you already have a design, make sure it’s saved in vector format (.AI, .PDF, .EPS). Vector files keep lines sharp and ensure accurate metal outlines during mold making.

No artwork yet? You can sketch it, hire an artist, or use templates—but keep shapes clean and avoid extremely thin lines. Enamel pins look best with bold outlines and clear color blocks.
If you need help getting started, check out our guide on how to design enam el pins even if you can’t draw.

If you’re unsure whether your design is enamel-friendly, send it to us—we’ll adjust stroke width, spacing, and color zones so it can be produced smoothly.

Step 2:
The Back Matters Too

Recommended Number of Pin Backs by Pin Size
Pin Size	Recommended Pin Backs	Reason
< 1 inch	1	Generally sufficient
1–1.5 inch	1–2	Prevents rotation
> 1.5 inch	2–3	Prevents tilting

Most people focus on the front, but the back determines:

Whether your pin rotates
Whether it falls off
How stable larger pins are
Whether you can add a logo or edition number

Optional Back Features

Backstamp (logo)
Numbering for limited editions
Rotating back or safety pin for oversized badges
Unique backing card for branding

Step 3:
Soft Enamel?
Hard Enamel ?

These are the two main enamel pin styles:

Soft Enamel

Raised metal lines, recessed color
Rich texture and depth
Great for bold illustrations and high contrast designs

Hard Enamel

Smooth, polished surface
Premium and durable
Perfect for logo pins, gifts, or daily-wear pins

Step 4:
Pin Plating Options

Plating defines the metal color of your enamel pin and affects the entire look and feel.

Factory Tip

Avoid black nickel for large flat surfaces—it scratches easier.
If your design includes texture or shading, antique plating gives the best depth.

Step 5:
Budget, Quantity & Timeline Planning

Enamel pin pricing depends on:

Pin size
Hard vs. soft enamel
Number of colors
Plating
Special effects (glitter, glow, transparent enamel, UV print)
Packaging
Quantity

Factors Affecting Pin Production Cost
Factor	Effect on Cost	Factory Advice
Enamel Type	Hard enamel > Soft enamel	Use soft enamel for small runs; hard enamel for polished finish and durability
Size & Complexity	Larger/more detailed pins cost more	Simplify tiny elements where possible
Colors & Effects	More Pantone colors or effects increase cost	Consolidate similar colors across designs or skip non-essential effects
Quantity	More units reduce per-pin cost	Ask if similar designs can share molds to save on setup fees
Packaging	Custom backing cards or boxes add cost	Design versatile packaging usable for multiple pin designs

Factory Tip

Align your timeline with production lead times (typically 2–4 weeks).
Confirm designs and payment early to avoid delays.
Rush orders are possible, but additional fees apply.

Step 6:
Choosing Your Manufacturer

Your enamel pin manufacturer determines 70% of the final result.
Look for factories that offer:

Clear artwork review
Accurate Pantone color-matching
Professional mold making
Stable plating quality
Fast sample confirmation
Low defect rates

That is why we recommend working with Factorypin. We save molds for 2–3 years, offer a wide variety of custom options, and keep you updated on your production progress. With a 70% repurchase rate, our customers trust us to deliver high-quality enamel pins every time.

If you have any questions during your custom pin process, feel free to contact us—we’re happy to provide professional guidance.