Create a Custom Lapel Pin: From Design to Delivery
Welcome to the wonderful world of enamel pin creation! If you’re here, you’re probably considering diving into this creative and rewarding venture. As someone who has designed and produced hundreds of pins over the past 7 years, I’m excited to share my experience to help you get started. While the process can seem daunting at first, PindustryNYC will be with you every step of the way. Here's everything you need to know to bring your vision to life.
Design your pin
The first step in creating your enamel pin is designing it. You can sketch in Procreate or use Adobe Illustrator to create a vector design. If you need some help, PindustryNYC offers free design support—just send us your idea or image, and we’ll work with you to make it pin-ready.
When designing, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep it simple. Start with basic features to avoid high production costs.
- Use closed shapes. Ensure all areas with different colors are fully enclosed, as the plating forms the boundaries.
- Limit your colors. Each additional color adds to the cost, so try to stick with a unified palette.
- Standardize your shades. For instance, use the same shade of red throughout your design instead of varying tones.
Provide production details
Once your design is ready, it’s time to create formalize your production requirements. These include:
- Name of your design
- Size (I recommend around 1 inch for standard pins)
- Quantity
- Pantone Solid Coated colors (used for precise color matching)
- Logo back stamp (optional)
- Special features (ie. screen printing, cutouts) PindustryNYC will help advise on these processes. You can read more about Pin Styles & Effects here!
If you’re new to Pantone colors, you don't need to submit them. We will share suggestions that closely match your design.
Choose the Best Lapel Pin Maker
When it comes to enamel pin creation, having the right partner is crucial. A lot of manufactures are automated and do not review details with their customers, leading to mistakes, imperfections and low quality products. Be careful of sites that require a file upload without speaking to a real person.
The cheaper the quote, the cheaper the product. Pins can break and chip so the cheapest manufacturer might not be the best option for your customers.
At PindustryNYC, we collaborate with you directly to ensure your design turns out just right and take pride in offering top quality at reasonable prices!
- We share a clear mock-up of your design with production details for your approval.
- We include photos of effects or finishes if you’re unsure of the terminology.
- You can rely on our expertise to guide you through any uncertainties.
If it’s your first time working making a pin, we'll walk you through the process, ensuring your design is produced at the highest quality possible!
Pay, Produce, Ship
Once you have approved the final pin artwork, we will send you a payment link to be completed prior to production.
- We accept various payment methods, including credit cards, ACH, wire transfers, and PayPal. Most often, we’ll send you a payment link via email where you can securely pay with your credit card or even use Apple Pay!
- Production takes about 2 weeks, so be patient. Upon request we can send you progress updates to share updates with your audience, especially if your pins were funded through pre-orders or Kickstarter.
- PindustryNYC ships pins with the utmost care, individually packaged in plastic baggies so unsure they don't scratch.