Whether you’re an artist, company, team, or group, metal pins can be a great way to advertise your brand, support your community or cause, or just to add a touch of personality to a t-shirt. But, before you can order your very own custom metal pins, there are a few things you need to know!

First, you need to decide on your desired finish. This will influence your options in terms of material and size. The most popular and cost-effective materials include brass, copper, and iron.

Once you’ve decided on your materials, you need to choose how many of each style you want to make. Most factories require a minimum of 100 units to begin production. However, some will let you order a larger quantity if you’re not quite sure how your design is going to turn out.

There are 2 primary methods for making metal pins: die-struck and die cut. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.

When making die-struck lapel pins, a custom die is created for the design and the mold used to create the mold is made of metal (usually either iron or zinc alloy). This method is ideal for flat-base pins that don’t have intricate or complex designs.

Next, the mold is put into a machine that can stamp out pins in a specific pattern. The pin makers then sand and polish the pins to their final shine.

The pins are then plated, usually with gold, nickel, or silver. They are then sandblasted or texturized to give them more depth and make them stand out. The pins can also be plated with a matte or high-luster finish, if you’re looking to achieve a more unique look for your design.

Lastly, the pins are sent to the packaging stage, where they’re wrapped in a plastic bag or a custom backing card. Some manufacturers even allow you to personalize the packaging with your logo or design!

Once your pins are ready to ship, you’ll want to communicate clearly with your manufacturer to ensure that they’re not only on track to meet your deadline but that the quality of your product matches your expectations. If you’re unsure of how your pins will look, it’s best to request a proof or sample before ordering the full run.

After a proof has been approved, the process of making your metal pins will continue, and you’ll receive your finished product in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your manufacturer’s production schedule. During this time, you can also review the proof or sample to make any necessary adjustments to your design.

If you’re creating hard enamel pins, remember that they are recessed with the enamel. This means that they can’t have contrasting outlines like you can with soft enamel pins.

You should also be aware that hard enamel isn’t a very realistic choice for intricate designs, as it can be difficult to fill in tiny spaces with it. In addition, if your design requires a gradient of colors, you’ll have to use photodome printed pins instead.