A craft beer brand in California needed enamel pins for giveaways and brand promotion. The order ran to 3,000 pieces in 12 days.
What the Client Needed
The company was growing and wanted something customers would keep rather than throw away. Pins travel well at taproom events and trade shows, and they take less space in a bag than a t-shirt.
The brief called for bright colours, a low minimum order quantity, a fast turnaround and individual packaging on a custom backing card.
The Challenge
- Brand colours. The colours were specific to the brand, so a close match was not enough.
- Low MOQ. A growing brewery cannot commit to tens of thousands of pieces, but the mould cost still has to make sense at a few thousand.
- A fixed event date. The pins were needed for a launch, which left no room for a slow revision cycle.
How We Made Them
- Artwork and colour matching. We translated the design into enamel colours and matched each one to a reference.
- Colour proof. The client approved the colours before tooling.
- Die. A die was cut for the shape and the outlines.
- Soft enamel filling. Enamel was filled into the recesses, which leaves the metal outlines raised.
- Gold plating. The pins were plated in gold to match the brand.
- Attachment. Rubber clutch backs were fitted.
- Backing cards. Each pin was mounted on a printed backing card.
- Packing. Pins were packed individually and shipped.
Quality Control
We checked enamel fill level and colour against the approved proof, inspected the plating for marks, and confirmed the pin posts sat square so the clutch backs hold. Backing card mounting was checked before packing, since a crooked card is the first thing a customer notices.
Result
- 3,000 pieces delivered.
- Production completed in 12 days.
- Pins matched the brand colours and shipped on custom cards.
What to Send Us for a Quote
- Artwork with the colours you need, with Pantone references if you have them.
- Size and quantity.
- Plating and attachment preference.
- Your backing card design, or ask us to propose one.
- The date you need them by.
Questions Buyers Ask
Soft enamel or hard enamel?
Soft enamel sits below the metal outlines, which gives the pin texture and keeps colours vivid. Hard enamel is polished flat with the outlines, which looks more formal and resists scratching better. Most promotional pins use soft enamel.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Minimum quantity depends on size and the number of colours, because each colour needs its own fill step. Send your design and quantity and we will confirm.
Can you match Pantone colours?
Yes. Send Pantone references or a physical sample, and we will produce a proof for approval before production.
Which backing options do you offer?
Rubber clutch, butterfly clutch, safety pin, magnet and cufflink backs. Rubber clutch is the usual choice for giveaways.