How To Make Custom Enamel Pins

Most custom made enamel pins are produced using the die-struck manufacturing process. This process requires a stamping mold so that your pin design is stamped into zinc metal by an experienced enamel pin manufacturer. In most cases, this process takes about 2–3 days to complete.

The mold itself is made from specialized industrial steel. We use CNC manufacturing technology that engraves your design backwards in the steel. This process is time-consuming, and most stamping molds require around 10 hours to make. When you pay a setup fee, this is what you are paying for. This is also the reason that custom enamel pins no minimum or custom lapel pins no minimum orders (25–50 pieces) are expensive to make. For a professional custom enamel pin manufacturer, it takes the same time to prepare for a 50-piece order as it does 5,000 pieces.

Step 2: Tool and Die

A “tool and die” is required so that your pins can be trimmed after stamping the design into a metal strip during the making enamel pins process. The “tool” is the outline of your pin, and the “die” is used to remove the excess metal from the pin blank. This part of making custom pins is time-consuming and slow. Remember, we have not even made a pin yet!

Step 3: Stamping

Now that the mold, tool, and die are made, we can begin making custom pins. A machine operator adds your stamping mold to a hydraulic stamping press. The operator feeds a strip of zinc metal over the top of the mold and applies approximately 5 tonnes of pressure so the pin assumes the exact shape of your custom enamel pins or custom enamel lapel pins.

Step 4: Trimming

Once your pins are stamped into zinc strips, the project moves to the trim press. The excess “flange” surrounding your pin is chopped off. Now we can start decorating your customized lapel pin and personalized enamel pins.

Step 5: Electroplating

Electroplating is a very interesting process and a key step used by every professional enamel pin maker. This is the part of the process in which the metal becomes gold, silver, or bronze.

Recently, we have started offering dyed metal. Instead of electroplating, the metal is spray-painted in the colour of your choice.

To transform the metal from dull grey zinc to bronze, silver, or gold, each pin is loaded onto a metal rack. Wires are wrapped around each pin blank one at a time.

Once the rack is full, it is dipped in a series of chemical baths. The rack is charged with electricity, and depending on the tank used, gold, nickel, or bronze particles adhere to the pin—changing its colour. This step is essential for custom hard enamel pins and custom hard enamel lapel pins.

Step 6: Enamel

Once your pin is electroplated to the correct colour, the pins are loaded onto racks for enamel painting by an experienced enamel pin creator. The metal bases are heated so the enamel flows better. A technician uses a colour-filled syringe of liquid epoxy to inject colour into your pin. Each colour is inlaid one at a time when you create enamel pins.

Your pin design requires areas no smaller than 2mm to hold the liquid epoxy. Designers—this is often why we need to modify artwork when you make your own enamel pins. We need enough space to hold enamel within each enclosed metal shape.

Step 7: Buffing

If you ordered custom hard enamel pins, there is an extra step. We fill the pins with additional enamel during the hard enamel process. To give them a finished look, we buff the surface until the paint is level with the metal edges. This is one of the reasons custom hard enamel lapel pins cost more, as each pin is buffed by hand by a skilled hard enamel pin manufacturer.

Step 8: Finishing

Once your custom enamel pins are stamped, electroplated, and painted, they proceed to finishing. There are three parts to finishing:

• Weld the post on the back using a specialized spot welder
  

• Each enamel pin has a clutch added to the back by hand
  

• Each custom lapel pin is packaged in a poly bag
  
  

Now we are ready to ship your pins. For more Inquiries, reach out to Ultimate Promotions.

Now you know how to make lapel pins and how a professional custom enamel pin manufacturer brings designs to life. We hope this deep dive into making enamel pins was useful. Once you understand the process, you’ll gain insight into how to make your own enamel pins—from concept to completion. Be sure to read our other design articles about DIY design, metal finishing, and more.

Here are some pictures from an enamel pin manufacturer:

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