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Let me guess — you started collecting enamel pins because they’re cute, unique, and kind of addictive, right? But now… you’ve got a growing pile of them, and you’re wondering: Where on earth am I supposed to put all these?!
Well, you’re not alone.
When chatting with some of our longtime customers and lurking through Reddit threads (yes, we go deep), we noticed something pretty interesting. People who collect pins tend to fall into two camps:
The Display Squad — folks who love showing off their collection on walls, boards, or backpacks. Seeing those shiny little treasures every day? Instant mood booster.
The Protection Crew — collectors who treat each pin like a fragile artifact. Every piece is tucked away safely to avoid scratches, sun damage, or dreaded oxidation.
Honestly, both approaches are totally valid — and it really just depends on your vibe. This blog isn’t here to judge either side. Instead, I’m going to walk you through both ways of storing enamel pins: whether you’re the show-it-off type or the store-it-safe type. Hopefully, you’ll pick up a few tricks to keep your collection looking great.
Part 1: How to Actually Protect Your Pins Like a Pro 🛡️
So you’re a careful collector, or maybe you run a small pin shop and want to keep your inventory nice and neat — awesome! The key here isn’t just picking the right container. It’s also about creating a comfy, stable environment for your pins.
Let’s break it down.
🔸 Acrylic Drawer Organizers (or Stackable Boxes)
These are the go-to for a lot of pin lovers. You can label each drawer, easily see what’s inside, and stack them to save space.
BUT, a quick heads-up: the compartments usually come in fixed sizes. That means:
- If your pin is huge (like a dramatic sword-shaped fantasy design), it might not fit.
- If it’s teeny-tiny, it might just rattle around inside like it’s lost at sea.
So yeah, it works well most of the time — just watch the sizing!
🔸 Plastic Zip Bags (the basic but trusty ones)
Good for short-term storage, especially if you’re dealing with a bunch of pins at once. Make sure to squeeze out the air before sealing to reduce moisture buildup. Not fancy, but it does the job.
🔸 Individual Gift Boxes
Now this is next level. These are those cute little plastic or velvet boxes that usually come with luxury pins. They look great and protect your pin from all sides. Super useful if you want each pin to feel like its own little treasure.
(Much better than trying to squish a weird-shaped enamel dragon into a card protector meant for flat trading cards — trust me, I tried.)
☁️ Storage Containers Aren’t Enough — Here’s What Else You Need
Even with the best storage box in the world, pins can still get damaged if the environment isn’t right. Here’s what we always recommend to our serious collectors:
- Keep pins away from direct sunlight. UV rays are sneaky — they’ll fade colors before you know it.
- Avoid humidity. Toss a silica gel pack or two into your storage boxes. Pins + moisture = sadness.
- Wear cotton gloves when handling if you’re serious about avoiding oil stains or fingerprints.
- Use a soft cloth for occasional wiping. No one wants lint or dust living rent-free on their pins.
- A tiny drop of mineral or peanut oil can help protect the surface if you’re storing pins for a long time.
These tips might seem a little “extra,” but for collectors who care about condition? Totally worth it.
Part 2: Love Showing Off Your Pins? Let’s Talk Display 🖼️
If you’re more of a “let them shine” person, I get you. Half the joy of collecting enamel pins is seeing them every day — they’re basically mini pieces of art.
Chances are, you already have some kind of display going on (corkboard? pin banner? your favorite tote bag?). If you’re looking for new display ideas, we actually have a whole separate post all about creative ways to show off your pins — check it out here (it’s got some fun inspiration!).
So in this post, let’s talk about the one real downside of displaying your pins all the time: wear and tear.
Yes, sadly, pins that are out in the open 24/7 can:
- Pick up dust and fingerprints
- Get scratched if you move them around often
- Start showing signs of oxidation (especially on black or gold plating)
Don’t worry though — I’ll walk you through how to bring your pins back to life when they start looking a little tired.
How to Fix Scratches, Rust, or Oxidation (Gently!) 🧽✨
Ever looked at your favorite pin and thought, “Wait… did it always look this dull?” It happens. But with a little love, you can get it looking new again.
🖤 For Black-Plated Pins
Got some random discoloration or scratches? Here’s a weird trick that works shockingly well:
Use talcum powder (like, baby powder — but finer is better)
👉 You can find talcum powder at most drugstores or supermarkets for under $5. A little goes a long way!
Steps:
- Sprinkle a bit of powder on the pin.
- Rub gently with a soft, clean cloth.
- Repeat a couple of times until you see the shine come back.
The powder has anti-moisture and mild abrasive properties — kind of like a spa treatment for your pin.
✨ For Gold-Plated Pins
These are a bit fancier, but also more prone to getting dull. You’ll want to use dashboard wax — the kind used for car interiors.
👉 You can grab this from automotive sections at stores like Walmart or online (Amazon has a ton). Usually costs around $7–$10 per bottle, and it lasts forever.
Steps:
- Lay the pin on a cloth (protect your desk!).
- Spray a little wax from a 45° angle (don’t overdo it).
- Gently buff with a clean cloth.
- Admire how shiny it gets!
👉 Bonus tip: if you want to keep your pins looking good all the time, check out our How to Keep Pins Looking Brand New blog. It goes over long-term care, cleaning habits, and what not to do.
Final Thoughts — So, What Kind of Collector Are You?
Now that you’ve seen both sides — do you lean more toward “put it away safely” or “show it off proudly”?
Or maybe a little of both?
Either way, I hope this guide helped you think about pin storage in a way that fits you. And hey, if you ever want to turn your own design into an enamel pin, we’d love to help. That way, your next favorite pin might be the one you created.
👉 Get your custom enamel pins made here
Let’s keep the pin love going. 💖
