Custom Lapel Pins: Printing and Styling Guide

When it comes to creating custom lapel pins, there is no shortage of printing and styling options to choose from. Perfect Imprints offers a wide variety of styles, color pallets, and printing techniques, so you get your design just right! Let’s dive into this printing and styling guide and explore how to take your custom lapel pins from good to irresistible!

Choosing Your Custom Pin Style

Every person and business owns their distinct style—that’s what makes you stand out amongst others! When we say there is no end to the possibilities of your custom lapel pins… we mean that!

By the time you are ready to invest in your custom lapel pins, you should already have a clear cut-image of the wearer's persona. This will help in dictating your print method below!

Are you getting these custom pins for employees, breast cancer survivors, or will they be available for purchase on your Etsy store? Whatever your reasoning, be sure to envision how your pin will be represented and styled! This step is crucial when choosing a print method and attachment option.

Artwork for Best Printing Quality

Lapel pins are easy! Once you have your design or logo drawn out and finalized, you’ll be given the option to upload your image. All file types are accepted; however, to ensure the best quality print (and to avoid additional charges), vector file formats are preferred (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG).

Choosing Your Custom Lapel Pin Print Method

Custom Enamel Pins

What is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Enamel Custom Lapel Pins?

You can see the difference between hard enamel lapel pins and soft enamel lapel pins by the printing and finishing style.

Hard enamel has a polished finish making this pin smooth and durable. If you are printing elegant and professional pins, this style should be your go-to! Common finishes include gold tone, nickel, copper or black nickel.

Soft enamel has raised metal edges, giving the custom lapel pins a textured finish. If your pin design requires a high level of detail, this is the style technique you'll want to use! Common materials are either Economy Iron or Premium Brass.

Custom Die-Struck Pins

What is Die-Struck Printing?

Die-struck printing (or die-striking) is a traditional technique to imprint and manufacture jewelry. This process utilizes an immense amount of pressure to form decorative stampings, or creates 3-dimensional casting parts from a die-struck mold for jewelry pieces. The metal of your choice (ex: gold, silver, copper, platinum, etc.) is repeatedly struck by a hammer press to create high-quality engagement rings, earrings, lapel pins, and pendants.

-An example of die-struck printing would be the stamp on a custom lapel pin.

-An example of die-striking would be the creation of the prongs used to secure a stone on a ring.

This craft takes a high demand of skill and expertise; with that being said, Perfect Imprints has found a way to take this formerly prolonged process to a favorable technique for mass production—even for pins with complex designs!

What are Sandblasted Pins?

Sandblast pins are high-quality metal pins that are similar to hard enamel pins and soft enamel pins, minus the colored background. Un-colored sandblast pins allow for a classic and timeless statement and work for any occasion. The raised areas on the custom lapel pins are finished with a polish to give a shiny gloss look. The recessed areas of the lapel pins have a matte (or sandblasted) texture that adds a great contrast.

Custom Specialty Pins

What are Cloisonelle Pins?

The word cloisonelle is a derivative of cloisonné—a term particularly used in art.

Pronounced: Kloz-in-ay

Cloisonelle (cloisonné) is a decorative work in which enamel, glass, or gemstones are separated by strips of flattened wire placed as edgeways on a metal backing.

Now that you have selected your favorite lapel pin style and printing method, it’s time to…

Select Your Size, Shape, Quantity, & Attachment

Size:

Our most popular sizing options are listed below; however, these are your custom lapel pins—make them the size you want:

• .75”
• .875”
• 1”
• 1.25”

Shape:

When it comes to the shape of your custom lapel pins, you have the option to choose from any of our stock shapes (such as awareness ribbons), or you can create an entirely custom shape (perhaps the outline of your artwork).

Quantity:

We have a range of quantity and pricing options for you to choose from. Keep in mind, the more pins you order, the lower the cost of each pin.
Just a heads up, our minimum quantity is typically between 150-300 pins, depending on the style.

Attachment Options:

• PVC
• Magnet
• Metal Butterly

Extra Aesthetic:

For an even more personalized touch, don't forget that you can also pair your personalized lapel pins with addition packaging options:

• A pin card
• A velvet pouch
• A velvet box
• An acrylic case
• A poly dime bag
• An envelope

Check Out or Check In?

When we said there is no shortage of printing & styling options… we were not kidding! Now, if you are not ready to check out our collection of custom lapel pins because of unanswered questions, check in with us by contacting us here! We are happy to help clarify!