Metal lapel pins, the pin manufacturer, and processing procedures are covered in detail in this comprehensive tutorial.
We will help pin manufacturers in sourcing for the most cost-effective metal lapel pins.
What is a Lapel Pin?
Lapel pin, also named pin or badge, is mostly made of metal material, and sometimes cloth. It is usually worn to indicate the identity or occupation.
The earliest lapel pin can be traced back to the primitive society as clan tribal totem symbol.
The Use of Pins
While creating a lapel pin, one of the most worth considering is its intended purpose and application:
is it a lapel pin for employees, a factory lapel pin, or a travel souvenir? Is it a fashion accessory? Is it a school lapel pin or a lapel pin for a school festival?
Pins require positioning; if you don’t know where to start, contact futurb, we will walk you through it step by step.
A more stylish lapel pin, such as glitter or glowing lapel pin, would be appropriate if you are targeting students.
We provide more baked lacquered and imitation enamel pins, but when the most excellent quality of high-grade pins is required, enamel pins are the best option. You must take into account the financial aspect of the situation appropriately.
Materials of Metal Pins
Common material are Copper (recommended) and iron (low price).
Other non-metal materials (acrylic, plexiglass, two-color plate, soft PVC plastic, etc). For example, in the manufacture of bathroom key tags and other areas with water, please use the acrylic two-color plate and other water-resistant materials.
How to Make Enamel Pins
Baking, stamping, and other methods of creating an embossed effect (using copper, iron, the surface of the pin can be nickel-plated, gold plated, etc.).
Screen printing, imitation enamel, enamel, nibble plate, baking lacquer pins are all flat after polishing, and you can utilize copper, iron, and other materials.
Color Gradient Pattern: It is necessary to print the pattern color gradient on a flatbed (drip lapel pin), which is usually coated with a coating of transparent protective resin (aka Polly, the surface will be slightly raised, also called a drip lapel pin).
Accessories for Pins
Stabbing pins and butterfly clasps (in gold and silver) are the standard accessories; however, two sets of stabbing pins or safety pins, as well as other high-grade accessories and other accessories, can be used for more significant sizes if necessary.
A lapel pin and a little plastic bag are usually included in the standard package, but you can also use different types of packaging (including small plastic boxes, velvet boxes, brocade boxes, etc.)
A Must-have Accessory – Safety Pins
Safety pins are used to construct larger pins and are more durable than stabbing pins and butterfly clasps (caps). The most typical safety pins are long and are soldered to the back of the metal lapel pin, with the plating altering depending on the pin design.
A Convenient Accessory – Stinger Spikes
Stinger pins are a frequent pin accessory, and they’re often used with other lapel pin accessories like butterfly caps, butterfly clasps, and high cards.
Stinger pins are available in various sizes, including 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and other diameters, with varying plating effects based on the pin design.
Stinging horse pins have a short head, so you only need to go through your garments and add on accessories like butterfly hats to wear them.
Due to the tiny region at the bottom of the spurs, the stiffness is not as strong as safety pins, so the triggers are bonded with strong adhesive, similar to specifically printed pins.
Lovely Accessory – Butterfly Clasp
The butterfly clasp, which is used in connection with the stabbing studs, is named because it resembles a butterfly with its wings open. Depending on the pin design, it is plated differently and holds the pin in place by capturing the stabbing studs.
How to Use: To use, open the two tab springs of the butterfly clasp and attach the stabbing stud clasp once the lapel pin with stabbing studs has been passed through the clothes.
Useful Accessory: Metal Clutch (or Butterfly Cap)
Metal clutch, or butterfly cap, are used to secure the pin stab horse studs. Butterfly cap is composed of eco-friendly plastic or rubber and does not affect the skin when worn. The usual butterfly cap comes in two colors: black and yellow.
How to use it: Use it in the same way as a butterfly clasp.
Surface Plating Processing Types
Depending on the design, it can be gold-plated, silver-plated, nickel-plated, antique copper, nickel (silver white), and so on.
The surface can be sanded, matted, or have other treatments applied to it. And then there’s a coating of clear protective resin on top of that (also called Polly).
Price Selection
Pin material, size, workmanship, and quantity all have a role. Choose a bronze medal pin if you have a big budget. Choose iron pins for a more affordable option; the general pricing range is enamel > imitation enamel > baking, die-struck > photo etched > printing.
Design Ideas for Pins
The higher the price, the more complicated the pattern and the more colors there are. If the line spacing on the pin is less than 1mm, for example, it will be quite tough to handle.
It is advised that all pin designs be as basic and generous as practicable. Before and during the design process, we must maintain continual communication with our team.
Size of Pin Thickness
BAKED, enamel, enamel-like, and pressed pins are typically 1.2mm in thickness, with printed pins and bite-sized pins being 0.8mm in thickness as a starting point. Medallions are 3mm thick; however alternative thicknesses can be made.
How to Make Pins
The following steps are included in the production process: mold engraving, heavy press molding, external shape cutting, proper welding, polishing, plating, color filling, baking at 160°C, Polly coating (if necessary), and packaging.
1. After dripping glue, the surface of a baked lacquer pin can be coated with a coating of clear protective resin (Polly), and the surface will be bright and smooth. This baked lacquer pin is also known as a drip pin.
2. Baked lacquer pins have vivid colors, clear and crisp lines, and a strong metallic touch and are slightly less expensive than imitation enamel and enamel pins, which are the most common materials used to create medium and high-grade pins.
3. Bronze-baked lacquer pins are commonly used for business pins, intermediate and high-level team pins, and collector pins, among other things.
Most Commonly Available Types Of Lapel Pins
Pin types are classified based on their manufacturing procedure. The most frequent pin production processes are baking, enameling, imitation enameling, stamping, printing, etc.
We’ll go over these types of pins now.
Baked Lacquer Lapel Pins
Baked lacquer pins have vivid colors, clear and crisp lines, and a strong texture of metal materials.
They can be made of copper or iron as raw materials, and iron-baked lacquer pins are affordable. If you have a limited budget, this is the best option!
To protect the surface of the lacquer pin from damage, a coating of transparent protective resin (Polly) can be applied, a procedure known as “drip” (notice that, due to refraction of light, the pin’s surface will appear shiny after the drip), but the rough texture of the pin will be lost after the addition of resin.
Imitation Enamel Pin
The fake enamel pin has a flat surface to be applied (When you feel the metal lines on the surface of the faux enamel pin with your fingers, they still have a slight bump compared to the baked enamel pin).
The metal lines on the pin’s surface are filled with imitation enamel pigments and can be gold-plated, silver-plated, or other metal colors.
It is the first option for pin makers to create imitation enamel pins because of its fine craftsmanship, smooth surface of enamel color, and exceptionally delicate appearance, which provides a high-grade and luxurious experience.
If you want to start with a gorgeous and high-quality pin, you should choose an imitation enamel pin or even an enamel pin.
Hard Enamel Pin
It is a high-grade pin in the pin craft that is also known as the enamel pin. Using red copper as the primary material, enamel powder (similar to bean paste) was applied to the surface and heated to over 850 degrees.
It possesses the qualities listed below.
1. The color is almost flush with the metal line where it enters the room.
2. Inserted into the enamel powder, and it has a dark color that will never fade.
3. Sharp items cannot pierce it because it is hard and brittle.
4. High-temperature resistance; to dissolve the color into the color, it must be grilled at temperatures greater than 850 degrees.
5. If the raw material is thin, the product will curve/bend due to the high temperature (not bending effect)
6. The back is not a luminous plane; impurities will cause tiny irregular pits in red copper to be vaporized at high temperatures.
Enamel pins with fine craftsmanship and a smooth enamel color surface, which is highly delicate, give a highly high-end and luxurious sensation. It’s the most popular option for pin production.
It has a good reputation and is utilized for somewhat more demanding events and items due to the tediousness of its manufacturing method, the objectivity, and the resale value of its products.
Die Struck Lapel Pins
Metal lapel pins, also known as die struck lapel pins, are made of materials such as copper (purple copper, red copper, and so on), zinc alloy, aluminum, and iron.
Because copper is the softest and most ideal material for creating lapel pins, copper stamped lapel pins have the clearest lines; zinc alloy lapel pins are second, and, of course, due to the material’s price, copper lapel pins have the highest price.
Gold plating, silver plating, imitation gold plating, nickel plating, antique brass plating, and other pin plating procedures are prevalent. The coating of metal is plated on the stamped embryo. The metal lapel pin does not have complicated and beautiful colors after plating and merely shows the images.
The lapel pin finished with this procedure is significantly less expensive, and it’s commonly utilized in many organizations’ identifying pins.
The concave area of the stamped lapel pins can also be treated with a sanding effect, etc., resulting in a wide range of attractive stamped lapel pins.
Printed Lapel Pins
Screen printing and lithographic printing are two types of printed pins, and drip pins are a common term for both.
The materials used for printed lapel pin are mainly stainless steel and bronze because the final process of the pin is adding a transparent protective resin layer (Polly) on the pin’s surface. The surface of the printed pin‘s copper or stainless steel is not electroplated and is usually treated with natural color or brushed.
The fundamental difference between screen printing and flat printed lapel pin is that screen printing is used for simple designs with slight color.
In contrast, flat printing is used for intricate patterns with many colors, especially gradient colors. As a result, flat printed lapel pin are more luxurious.
Photo Etched Pins
Photo etched pins are typically formed of various materials such as bronze, stainless steel, iron, and others, with delicate lines because the upper surface is coated with a coating of transparent resin (Polly), giving a hand a slightly elevated feeling and colorful qualities.
The nibbled version of pin manufacturing is relatively straightforward in comparison to other procedures; the design of the draught film negative, followed by the exposure of the sun plate, the negative on the pin draught will be transferred to the copper plate.
And then the need to hollow out the graphics corrosion with chemicals. Then the coloring, grinding plate, light, punching, welding pin, electroplating, and other processes, a nibbled version of pin production, is completed.
The pin is usually 0.8mm thick when gouged.
Tinplate Pins
Tinplate pins are produced of tinplate, which is a reasonably easy procedure, with the surface wrapping paper and printing patterns provided by the customer.
Tinplate pins are inexpensive and simple to manufacture, making them ideal for student-teams or general team pins, as well as general corporate promotional things, promotional items, and so on.
Bulk Enamel Pins Made by Pin Manufacturer
List of the Pin Manufacturer
Shenzhen Allwin Gifts Co., Ltd.
Allwin is a manufacturer of different kinds of OEM metal products, including pins, medals, coins, key chains, bottle openers, dog tags, tie bars, etc.
Main Products: Keychains, medals, coins, badges, belt buckles
Changzhou Conterce Gift Craft Co., Ltd.
Conterce is a manufacturer of custom promotional gifts and crafts, including lapel pins, badges, medals, commemorative coins, tie clips, luggage tags and more. And they have a complete modern production line: molding, hydraulic press, stamping, die-casting, etching, plating and painting.
Main Products: lapel pins, lapel pins, medals, keychains, embroidered patches
Zhongshan Artigifts Hardware & Plastic Co., Ltd.
Artigifts specializes in producing medals, pins, lapel pins, and coins. More than 90% of its products are for export, mainly to Europe, USA, Russia, etc.
Main Products: Medals, lapel pins, keychains, lanyards, metal crafts
Zhongshan Xieyuan Gift Co., Ltd.
Xieyuan is a supplier of all promotional and gift items. The company has a full line of corporate gifts, medals, challenge coins, keychains and more. They can offer fast delivery time and make samples in 3-5 days and delivery time in 12-15 days.
Main Products: Medals, lapel pins, key chains, coins, trophies
Wenzhou Dream Culture Co., Ltd.
Dream Culture is a supplier of metal crafts. Dream Culture specializes in producing various lapel pins, bottle openers, bookmarks, medals, coins, key chains, and other metal products. Dream Culture was established in 2006, initially operating from a single storefront in Pingyang, Wenzhou.
Main Products: Medals, badges, key chains, coins, trophies
Zhongshan TT Promotion Metal Art Gift Factory
TT Promotion was established in 2007. The company has introduced a series of advanced equipment, including heat transfer machines, CNC mold engraving machines, hydraulic presses, die-casting machines, automatic coloring machines and various punching machines.
Main Products: Badges, medals, keychains, coins, lanyards
Zhejiang Jiabao Crafts Co., Ltd.
JABO is a handicraft manufacturer specializing in sports medals, lapel pins, challenge coins, keychains and other metal products. They have a brand new and modern production line. Molding, hydraulic, stamping, die-casting, etching, plating and painting or glazing workshops.
Main Products: Medals, lapel pins, coins, keychains, trophies
Dongguan Jmny Craft & Gift Co., Ltd.
Jmny factory focuses on the design, development and production processes of craft and gift types of products.
Main Products: Badges, medals, coins, metal pet tags, metal plates
Shenzhen Dream Paris Business Gifts Co., Ltd.
Dream Paris offers a wide variety of products to choose from, such as metal crafts (including badges, medals, coins, keychains, bottle openers, dog tags bookmarks, plates, trophies, etc.), souvenirs, decorations, sports products, electronics, and promotional gifts.
Main Products: Medals, badges, coins, keychains.
Shenzhen Limor Gifts Co., Ltd.
Limor is a leading gift manufacturer making all kinds of metal badges. Limor produces a variety of custom made lapel pins, badges, medals, cufflinks and other promotional gifts through different processing methods.
Main Products: lapel pins, challenge coins, medals, key chains, patches
Wenzhou Jia Bo Crafts Co., Ltd.
JABO Crafts specializes in producing various lapel pins, medals, coins, keychains, bottle openers, bookmarks, plates, trophies and other metal products. Due to their many years of experience in craft making, we have established a brand new modern production line: molds, hydraulic presses, stamping, die-casting, etching, electroplating and painting or enameling workshops.
Main Products: Medals, lapel pins, trophies, keychains, commemorative coins
Shenzhen Zhenbaiwei Hardware Craft Jewelry Co., Ltd.
Zhenbaiwei Hardware is a manufacturer of metal craft gifts. The factory covers an area of 1500 square meters, with a monthly output of 800,000 pieces and more than 50 employees; 21 sets of machines and equipment, including 2 die-casting machines, many hydraulic machines, 2 CNC mold machines, polishing machines, electroplating machines, CNC EDM machines, automatic coloring machines,. The whole assembly line.
Main Products: Metal lapel pin, lapel pin lapel pin, metal keychain, medal, commemorative coin
Kunshan Pinstar Gift Co., Ltd.
Pinstar is a professional manufacturer of various gifts and crafts. Their main products include key chains, lanyards, metal badges, pins, brooches, name tags, plaques, medals, coins, trophies, souvenirs, cufflinks, tie bars, bottle openers and soft PVC products. Their company was established in 2003.
Main Products: Lanyards, pins, metal badges, key chains
Kunshan Jinxi Gifts Co., Ltd.
Jinxi is mainly engaged in producing metal metal badges, car logos and emblems, commemorative coins, medals, keychains, dog tags, cufflinks, bookmarks, tie clips, bottle openers, nail clippers, soft PVC products and so on. We provide OEM and ODM service, we can also make artwork according to customers’ ideas.
Main Products: Lapel pins, metal badges, medals, coins, lanyards
KD CRAFT Zhongshan Co., Ltd.
KD CRAFT specializes in gifts and giveaways and has a very good track record for the past 10 years. We offer lapel pins, metal badges, medals, keychains, lanyards, PVC keychains and silicone wristbands which are widely used in festivals, celebrations, games, parties, schools, police, military departments and other events.
Main Products: pins, challenge coins, medals, keychains, lanyards