Custom enamel pin guide
How to Make Enamel Pins: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Want to turn your artwork, brand idea, character, logo or community design into a real enamel pin? Good news: making custom enamel pins is much simpler than most first-time makers expect.
This guide walks you through the full enamel pin production process: preparing artwork, choosing hard enamel or soft enamel, picking a size, deciding quantity, choosing pin backs, contacting factories and avoiding the most common beginner mistakes.
Quick navigation
What you’ll learn in this enamel pin guide
Overview
The 6 steps to make your own enamel pins
The enamel pin manufacturing process is easiest when you make decisions in the right order. Start with your artwork, then choose the product format, size, quantity, backing and factory.
Create a simple, bold, production-ready design.
Pick hard enamel or soft enamel based on finish and budget.
Balance design detail, wearability and production cost.
Start with a realistic test run before scaling.
Choose backing hardware that keeps the pin secure.
Compare price, quality, turnaround, terms and communication.
Step 1
Prepare your enamel pin artwork file
To start enamel pin production, your factory will need artwork that clearly shows the design, colours, metal lines and any special finishes. A clean PDF, vector file, AI file, EPS file or high-resolution mockup is ideal, but many beginner makers start with a scanned sketch or digital drawing.
The most important thing is not whether your artwork is perfect. It is whether the design can be translated into metal lines and enamel colour areas.
Enamel pins are usually around 0.75–2 inches, so small details can disappear. Fewer lines usually means a cleaner final pin.
Thin lines may not hold clearly in metal. Strong outlines help separate colours and make your pin easier to read from a distance.
High-contrast colours usually work better than muted colours, especially for small pins.
Traditional enamel pins use separated colour fills. Gradients and shading usually need to be simplified or converted into solid colours.
Pinlord tip: before sending final artwork, ask your factory if any lines are too thin, any details are too small, or any colours need to be separated more clearly.
Step 2
Choose hard enamel or soft enamel pins
Most custom enamel pins are made as either hard enamel pins or soft enamel pins. Both can look great, but they have different finishes, textures and price points.
| Pin type | Best for | Finish | Common feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard enamel pins | Premium artist merch, brand pins, polished collections, long-lasting products. | Smooth, polished, durable enamel surface. | Higher-end and more jewellery-like. |
| Soft enamel pins | Detailed designs, textured looks, budget-conscious projects, event pins. | Recessed enamel with raised metal lines. | Textured, detailed and often more affordable. |
Quick recommendation: choose hard enamel if you want a polished premium feel. Choose soft enamel if you want texture, detail or a more budget-friendly first run.
Step 3
Decide what size your enamel pin should be
Enamel pin size affects price, detail, wearability and where customers are likely to place the pin. Smaller pins are usually cheaper and easier to wear, while larger pins give you more design space.
Best for simple icons, logos, text-free designs and lower-cost first runs. Great for lapels, hats, backpacks and small collections.
Best for detailed artwork, characters, scenes and statement pins. They cost more but give your design more room to breathe.
- Choose a smaller pin if your design is simple, iconic or budget-sensitive.
- Choose a larger pin if your artwork has characters, text, scenes or many colours.
- Ask for factory feedback before locking your size if you are unsure.
Step 4
Decide how many enamel pins to produce
Many enamel pin factories start at a minimum order quantity of around 100 units per design, although this can vary by supplier, product type, finish, timeline and factory. For first-time makers, 100 pins is often a smart test quantity.
Unless you already know there is strong demand, avoid ordering too many pins on your first run. It is usually safer to test the design, see what sells, then reorder once you know customers actually want it.
Pinlord tip: if you are launching your first pin, think of the first order as a market test. A smaller, well-planned launch is often better than being stuck with hundreds of unsold pins.
Step 5
Choose how many pin backs your enamel pin should have
A pin back is the needle-like fastening mechanism on the back of a pin. It keeps the pin attached to clothing, bags, hats, cork boards and other surfaces.
For many designs, especially medium or large pins, using two pin backs is a smart choice. One pin back can allow the pin to spin, loosen or fall off more easily.
- Use one pin back for very small, lightweight pins.
- Use two pin backs for most standard, medium, large or oddly shaped pins.
- Ask about rubber clutches, butterfly clutches or locking backs depending on your audience and use case.
Step 6
Find the right enamel pin factory
Finding the right enamel pin manufacturer is one of the most important parts of the process. A quick search for “enamel pin factory” will show dozens of options, but the best supplier is not always the cheapest.
The right factory should communicate clearly, understand your artwork, provide fair pricing, explain production limitations, send proofs, show photos before shipping and treat the process like a partnership.
Confirm mould fees, unit price, plating, shipping, packaging, rush fees and any extra charges.
Production may take around 2–4 weeks, but always confirm timing before ordering.
Request final production artwork before production and a photo of the finished pin before shipping.
Many makers prefer 50% deposit before production and 50% after photo proof approval.
Factory email template
Copy/paste email to send an enamel pin factory
When contacting a factory, send a low-resolution JPG preview first instead of your full production file. Include the important details, then ask for pricing, turnaround, proofing and payment terms.
Why this helps: clear quote requests usually get better answers. You also reduce the chance of surprise costs, production mistakes or unclear timelines.
Recommended factory research
Where to compare enamel pin manufacturers
Pinlord has reviewed and listed custom enamel pin manufacturers so makers can compare factories more easily before placing an order. Always do your own due diligence, check recent reviews, confirm current pricing, ask about production timelines, and review proofing terms before committing to a supplier.
The best enamel pin manufacturer is not always the cheapest. Look for clear communication, strong product quality, transparent pricing, reliable turnaround times, ethical production standards, and a factory that understands your artwork.
Pinlord’s own custom enamel pin and merchandise manufacturer profile, built for makers who want ethical support, clear guidance and custom product expertise.
Artist-owned ethical manufacturer offering pins, patches, charms, apparel, packaging and more.
Custom product manufacturer historically included in Pinlord’s enamel pin factory recommendations.
Custom gifts and pin manufacturer with a long history producing promotional products.
Factory producing custom enamel pins, medals, coins, keychains and other metal products.
Explore Pinlord’s custom manufacturer review collection before choosing a supplier.
Use Pinlord’s Factory Finder to match your product, budget and priorities with better-fit suppliers.
Compare custom product factories side-by-side by product type, strengths, use case and manufacturer fit.
Browse Pinlord’s custom ethical product range if you want support creating pins, patches, charms, stickers, keychains, apparel and more.
Pricing, turnaround times, minimum order quantities and payment terms can change. Always confirm current details directly with each enamel pin manufacturer before ordering.
Working with factories
How the enamel pin production process usually works
Once you choose a factory, the process is usually a back-and-forth approval flow. Clear communication makes everything easier.
- You send requirements: artwork, size, pin type, quantity, plating, pin backs and shipping details.
- The factory sends a quote: including price, turnaround and production artwork.
- You approve artwork and cost: then pay the agreed deposit to start production.
- The factory produces the pins: based on the approved production artwork.
- The factory sends a photo proof: so you can check the finished product before shipping.
- You approve shipment: then pay the final balance and receive tracking.
Be kind to your factory contact. Treat production like a partnership. Ask for feedback, be clear with revisions and remember that good communication often leads to a better final product.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about making enamel pins
How long does it take to make custom enamel pins?
Most enamel pin projects take around 2–4 weeks after final artwork approval, depending on the factory, design complexity, quantity, shipping method and whether the order is rushed.
What file type do I need to make enamel pins?
A vector file such as AI, EPS, SVG or PDF is ideal, but many factories can start with a clear high-resolution image or sketch and convert it into production artwork. Always ask your factory what they need before ordering.
Are hard enamel pins or soft enamel pins better?
Neither is always better. Hard enamel pins are smoother and more premium-feeling, while soft enamel pins have raised metal lines, a textured finish and are often more affordable. Choose the style that best suits your artwork, budget and audience.
What is the best enamel pin size?
A common beginner size is around 1–1.25 inches. Smaller pins work well for simple designs, while larger pins are better for detailed artwork, characters or text.
How many enamel pins should I order first?
Many first-time makers start with around 100 pins because it is a common minimum quantity and a safer way to test demand before ordering more.
Should enamel pins have one or two pin backs?
Very small pins can often use one pin back, but many standard, medium, large or unusual-shaped pins are more stable with two pin backs.
How do I find the best enamel pin factory?
Compare factories based on communication, price clarity, turnaround, proofing, payment terms, product quality and reviews. You can also browse Pinlord’s factory reviews and Factory Finder.
More pin business resources
Keep learning how to make and sell enamel pins
A core guide for turning artwork into custom pin products.
Compare manufacturers and learn how to work with them.
Learn how to price, promote and sell custom pin designs.
Make your orders look professional and arrive safely.
Create better artwork and present it clearly before production.
Understand common IP mistakes before selling fan art or inspired designs.
Final advice
Ready to make your first enamel pin?
You now have the full process: prepare your artwork, choose hard enamel or soft enamel, pick the right size, start with a sensible quantity, choose secure pin backs and compare factories before ordering.
The best first pin is usually simple, bold, wearable and realistic to manufacture. Start small, learn from your first run, then improve and reorder once you know what your customers love.
Amazing! Thank you so much for the detailed tips on how to find a manufacturer + recommending some! :)
Best Guide yet! thank you :)
This guide is really helpful, thanks so much for sharing! :))
Thanks for providing such a great information about Enamel Pins