Custom enamel pins have become a popular choice for brands, events, schools, and organizations—they’re compact, customizable, and serve as great promotional tools, souvenirs, or team identifiers. But have you ever wondered how a simple design sketch turns into a polished, durable enamel pin?
At Artigiftsmedals, we’ve mastered the art of enamel pin production with over 20 years of experience. In this blog, we take you behind the scenes to explore the full manufacturing process of custom enamel pins, from initial design to final delivery—so you know exactly what to expect when you order your custom pins.
Step 1: Design Confirmation & Artwork Creation
The first and most crucial step is turning your idea into a workable design. Here’s how it works:
- You share your vision: Whether it’s a logo, mascot, event theme, or a unique concept, our design team works with you to refine the details (colors, size, text, and special elements).
- Free artwork draft: We create a digital artwork (AI/PSD format) for your approval, adjusting colors, proportions, and details until it matches your expectations—all free of charge.
- Craft selection: We help you choose the right enamel type (soft or hard) based on your design and budget, as this will influence the final look and feel of the pin.
This step ensures that your custom enamel pins align perfectly with your brand or event goals.
Step 2: Mold Making
Once the design is confirmed, we create a custom mold—this is the foundation of your enamel pin. Our factory uses advanced CNC die carving machines to craft precise molds, ensuring every detail of your design is captured.
- Mold material: We use high-quality steel molds that are durable and reusable (we keep your mold for 2 years for free, so you can reorder without extra mold costs).
- Mold testing: We make a test sample from the mold to check for accuracy, ensuring no details are missed or distorted.
Mold making is a meticulous process, but it’s essential for creating consistent, high-quality pins—especially for custom lapel pins that require fine details.
Step 3: Metal Stamping & Shaping
Next, we use the mold to stamp the pin’s base from your chosen metal. Common metal options include zinc alloy (most popular, durable and cost-effective), brass (premium look), and iron (budget-friendly for large orders).
- Stamping process: Our 88T-1000T oil hydraulic presses and punching machines apply precise pressure to the metal, shaping it into the exact form of your design.
- Trimming & polishing: The stamped metal pieces are trimmed to remove excess material, then polished to create a smooth base for the enamel.
Step 4: Enamel Application
This is where your pin comes to life with color. The process varies slightly between soft and hard enamel:
- Soft Enamel Pins: Enamel is applied by hand or machine into the recessed areas of the stamped metal. The enamel is then baked at a lower temperature (around 160-180°C) to set. Soft enamel has a textured surface, with the metal lines raised above the enamel for a bold, dimensional look.
- Hard Enamel Pins: Enamel is applied in multiple layers, each baked at a higher temperature (200-220°C) to ensure a smooth, glossy finish. After baking, the pin is polished to remove excess enamel, resulting in a flat, luxury surface where the metal lines and enamel are flush.
We use environmentally friendly enamel that passes EN-71 and SGS tests, ensuring your pins are safe and durable.
Step 5: Plating & Finishing
After the enamel is set, the pin undergoes plating to enhance its appearance and durability. Popular plating options include:
- Gold, silver, or bronze plating (classic for awards and souvenirs)
- Nickel, black nickel, or antique plating (for a modern or vintage look)
We also add finishing touches, such as epoxy coating (to protect the enamel from scratches and fading) or glitter accents (for a more eye-catching design).
Step 6: Quality Inspection & Packaging
Quality is our top priority. Every pin goes through a 100% inspection process to ensure:
- No enamel chipping, fading, or uneven application
- Smooth plating with no scratches or defects
- Accurate design details (text, logos, shapes)
Once approved, the pins are packaged according to your preferences—individual poly bags, custom boxes, or bulk packaging. We also add backings (butterfly clutch, rubber clutch, or magnetic backing) for easy wearing.
Step 7: Delivery
We offer fast production times: 5-7 days for sample lead time, and 14-18 days for orders under 10,000 pieces. With our convenient location in Zhongshan Xiaolan (near Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong), we provide reliable sea, land, and air transportation to deliver your custom printed pins to any corner of the world.
Creating custom enamel pins is a blend of art and precision—from the initial design to the final delivery, every step requires attention to detail. At Artigiftsmedals, we combine advanced equipment, professional craftsmanship, and free design support to turn your ideas into high-quality enamel pins that stand out.
Whether you need custom lapel pins for your brand, event pins for a tournament, or souvenir pins for your organization, we handle the entire process—so you can focus on what matters most. Contact us today for a free sample and quote, and let’s bring your custom enamel pin vision to life.
Best regards | Zhongshan Artigifts Premium Metal & Plastic Co., Ltd.
ArtiGifts Premium Co., Ltd. (Online factory/office: http://to.artigifts.net/onlinefactory/)
Factory Audited by Disney: FAC-065120/ Sedex ZC: 296742232/ Walmart: 36226542 / BSCI: DBID:396595, Audit ID: 170096 / Coca cola: Facility Number: 10941
(All brand products are required an authorizes to produce)
Direct: (86)760-2810 1397| FAX: (86) 760 2810 1373
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Email: query@artimedal.com WhatsApp: +86 15917237655 Phone Number: +86 15917237655
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Post time: Apr-18-2026
