Skip to content 
If you’re already familiar with enamel pins, you probably know the basics—hard enamel, soft enamel, and die-struck pins. These are the three main types of pins you’ll come across when customizing. But if you’re here, you’re probably curious about how to make your pins stand out from the crowd. That’s where special enamel pin effects come in.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the most popular effects we offer in our factory. Whether you’re a designer, a collector, or just starting your pin journey, there’s an effect out there to match your vision.
The Basics (Quick Recap)
Before we get fancy, here’s a quick look at the main types of pins:
- Hard Enamel Pins have a smooth surface. The enamel is filled to the same level as the metal lines, then polished flat. Great for a sleek, professional look.
- Soft Enamel Pins have raised metal lines and recessed enamel areas. You can feel the texture. They’re perfect for adding effects like glitter and glow.
- Die-Struck Pins don’t use enamel at all. It’s just metal with different finishes—antique, polished, matte—and great for minimalist or classic designs.
Alright, now onto the fun stuff!
Screen Printing vs. UV Printing
Both of these effects let you add ultra-fine details that are hard to achieve with enamel alone.
Screen Printing applies solid-color inks layer by layer on top of the pin. It’s clean and precise—perfect for bold lines and logos. Since each color is printed individually, it tends to be more expensive.
UV Printing is more like digital printing. It prints the full image directly onto the pin in one go, then cures it instantly with UV light. It’s faster, more affordable, and excellent for full-color artwork.
You can use both effects for things like facial blush, tiny patterns on clothes, or fine textures. But when it comes to gradient backgrounds (like sunsets or dreamy skies), screen printing can’t do the job. That’s where UV printing or pad printing comes in.
Pad printing works well for gradients but is usually more expensive, so UV printing has become the go-to choice for smooth, colorful transitions.
A few years ago, UV printing was still pretty rough around the edges. You could see dots, lines, and printing artifacts. But now, the technology has advanced so much that some UV-printed pins look just like the original digital design—no visible flaws at all.
Glitter, Diamond Powder & Pearl Powder
Nothing makes a pin pop like a little sparkle. Let’s look at three glitter-style powders you can add to your enamel pins—and how they differ.
- Glitter (sometimes called rainbow glitter) reflects multiple colors at once. It’s bold, festive, and super vibrant—like a disco party trapped inside your pin.(check out this video- it really shows how glitter effect sparkles in sunlight. )
- Diamond Powder reflects light sharply and intensely. It’s made of tiny reflective particles that sparkle brilliantly in sunlight—great for a high-impact, crystal-like effect.
- Pearl Powder gives a softer, more delicate shimmer. It’s smooth and gentle, adding a dreamy, pearlescent glow.
A lot of people get confused between diamond powder and pearl powder, so we’ve included a comparison image to help you tell them apart more easily.
At our factory, we offer a range of ready-made powders for you to choose from. Or if you have something special in mind, we can source the right powder and create your pin exactly how you imagine it.
Swirl & Pearl
There’s also a fun twist to pearl powder—literally. By swirling two or more shades together, you get a “swirl pearl” effect. Swirl pearl is a special type of pearl effect. Instead of a smooth, even color, it has wavy, cloudy textures—like fog or mist trapped inside your enamel.
The swirling pattern is created by gently mixing the pearl powder before it hardens, giving it a natural, flowing look. This effect works beautifully for things like clouds, smoke, or magical backgrounds. Each swirl is unique!
Opal Effect
Opal powder is made of large, colorful particles that catch the light in a dazzling way. It’s a bit chunkier than glitter and gives a broken-glass or gemstone vibe. The colors shift and shimmer depending on the angle, adding serious visual interest.
This effect works especially well for enamel pin backgrounds, especially if you’re designing something fantasy-themed—think night skies, moons, or magical auras.
Cat-Eye Effect
This one’s a little trickier to make—but the results are worth it.
The cat-eye effect is created by using a magnetic tool to pull reflective powder into a single line or shape while the enamel is still liquid. Once cured, it gives a glowing, streaky look—almost like a galaxy or deep space.
This effect is especially beautiful when used in night scenes, auroras, or shiny gems.
Sandblasting+Transparent & Stained Glass
Transparent enamel lets you see through to the metal underneath. When used with sandblast effect, we can texture that metal to create frosted patterns, waves, or other designs. This gives the enamel depth and an upscale look.
- Sandblasting + Transparent gives you a frosted, semi-transparent effect. The sandblasting adds texture underneath the enamel, so it doesn’t just look see-through—it has depth and character. You can even create custom patterns in the sandblasted area for added style.
- Stained Glass uses colored transparent enamel poured into open metal areas. When light passes through, it looks just like stained glass in a window. This is perfect for wings, glass, water, or anything that needs that glow-through-the-light magic.
These effects are excellent for backgrounds in enamel pins, where you want the light to play a major role.
Velvet Texture & Glow in the Dark
Here’s where things get extra fun:
- Velvet Texture effect feels like soft suede. Tiny fibers are added to the enamel, giving your pin a fuzzy, fabric-like surface. It’s cozy, warm, and really unexpected in the best way.
- Glow in the Dark effect absorbs light and shines in darkness. But don’t think it’s just for stars and ghosts—you can add glow effects to highlight any part of your design. That way, your pin looks one way in the light and completely different in the dark. It’s a great way to add a hidden surprise.
These two effects are sometimes combined. For example, some velvet pins include glow powder underneath—so even the fuzzy parts light up at night!
That’s Just the Beginning…
We’ve covered the most common enamel pin effects, but the truth is—there are so many more. New custom pin effects are always emerging, inspired by the creative minds of designers like you. Designers come up with new ideas every day—some use spring parts, layered structures, moving parts, or even mica plate.
We’re just the factory. But we’ve spent years mastering the efferts to bring your imagination to life.
If you’ve got a design in mind, or just want to explore what’s possible, reach out to us. We’re always happy to help turn your vision into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind enamel pin.
