Custom Pin Types Explained: Find the Best Style for Your Design
If you’re thinking about starting a pin business or simply want to understand the world of custom pins better, you’ve come to the right place. This guide explains the most common types of custom pins, their key features, ideal use cases, and typical pricing—so you can choose the right style for your design with confidence.
Hard Enamel Pin
Soft Enamel Pin
Die-Struck Pin
Printed Pin
3D Mold Pin
Hard Enamel Pins
Look & Feel
Hard enamel pins are filled with enamel and then polished flat, resulting in a smooth, glossy surface where the metal lines and colors are level. The finish feels solid and refined, similar to fine jewelry.
Best For
This style is ideal for minimalist designs, corporate logos, official seals, or artwork that requires a clean, premium appearance.
Common Uses
Hard enamel pins are commonly used for employee recognition, brand identity, commemorative projects, and high-end retail merchandise.
Typical Price Range
Approx. $1.00–$2.50 per piece for bulk production.
Why Choose This Type
If you want a professional, polished look with long-term durability, hard enamel pins are a strong choice.
Soft Enamel Pins
Look & Feel
Soft enamel pins feature raised metal lines with recessed enamel colors. Because the enamel sits lower than the metal edges, the pin has a textured surface that you can feel when you run your finger across it.
Best For
This pin type works best for designs with bold lines, solid color areas, and clear separation between elements. Cartoon artwork, mascots, illustrated logos, and badge-style designs are all excellent fits.
Common Uses
Soft enamel pins are widely used for artist merchandise, promotional giveaways, fan collectibles, clubs, and community branding.
Typical Price Range
Approx. $0.80–$2.00 per piece for bulk orders, depending on size, colors, and quantity.
Why Choose This Type
Soft enamel pins offer the best balance between cost, durability, and visual impact, making them the most popular choice for first-time customers.
Die-Struck Pins
Look & Feel
Die-struck pins do not use enamel colors. Instead, the design is stamped directly into metal, creating recessed and raised areas that rely on texture, depth, and plating finishes for visual impact.
Best For
Classic logos, emblems, military-style designs, and vintage aesthetics work especially well with die-struck pins.
Common Uses
Service awards, official insignia, historical commemorations, and formal branding projects.
Typical Price Range
Approx. $0.80–$2.00 per piece.
Why Choose This Type
Die-struck pins offer a timeless, elegant look and are often more durable due to the lack of colored enamel.
Printed Pins
Look & Feel
Printed pins are created by printing the design directly onto a metal base, often sealed with a clear epoxy coating for protection. This allows for full-color images and fine details.
Best For
Designs with gradients, photographic elements, tiny text, or highly detailed illustrations that can’t be achieved with enamel filling.
Common Uses
Event badges, promotional pins, portrait artwork, and short-term campaigns.
Typical Price Range
Approx. $0.70–$2.00 per piece.
Why Choose This Type
Printed pins are the best solution when color accuracy and detail matter more than texture or long-term wear resistance.
3D Mold Pins
Look & Feel
3D mold pins are sculpted to create real depth and dimensional form. Unlike flat designs, these pins feature curved surfaces, layered relief, and lifelike shapes.
Best For
Mascots, product replicas, symbolic objects, or designs that benefit from a sculptural look.
Common Uses
Premium collectibles, commemorative pieces, limited-edition gifts, and specialty projects.
Typical Price Range
Approx. $1.50–$3.00 per piece.
Why Choose This Type
If your design needs visual impact and physical depth, 3D mold pins deliver a standout result.
Custom Accessories & Upgrades
Here’s a quick checklist of popular custom options to consider when ordering your pins.
| Accessory Option | Available | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Clutch | ✅ | Standard and secure for daily use |
| Rubber Clutch | ✅ | Softer and safer—great for kids’ pins |
| Magnetic Back | ✅ | No holes in clothes—ideal for suits |
| Custom Back Card | ✅ | Adds packaging appeal for retail |
| Laser Engraving | ✅ | Add logos, serial numbers, names |
| Poly Bags / Gift Box | ✅ | Different packing styles available |
How to Choose the Right Pin Style
If you’re still not sure what fits your idea, consider these three questions:
- Is your design detailed, colorful, or simple?
Soft enamel works great for bold and clean artwork, while printed pins are better for intricate graphics. - What’s the purpose—gifting, selling, collecting, or promotion?
Hard enamel gives a refined finish for gifts or employee awards, while die struck pins feel classic and formal. - Do you have a specific budget?
No worries—we’ll help you balance cost and quality. Most designs can be adapted to match your goals without breaking the bank.
Custom Your Pins with Factorypin
We’ve helped thousands of customers turn sketches and ideas into beautiful, high-quality pins. Whether you’re designing for fun, for business, or to support a cause, we’re here to make it easy.
👋 Ready to start? Contact our team and tell us about your project—we’ll recommend the best style and send you a free quote.