The word “quality” is very subjective. Using online photos as a guide is not ideal when evaluating enamel pin manufacturers. How do you know which type of enamel pins to order? What criteria do you use to assess quality? Before you start, you need samples. Request samples of hard enamel pins, soft enamel pins, and metal finishes.
You can also rate the response time of a supplier to your quote request. For high-quality custom pins, you need to make sure your supplier can produce the following products.
1. Legibility
Does the design fit the scale? Sometimes suppliers will suggest smaller pins in an effort to keep costs down and win contracts. It’s even worse when you choose a pin size that’s too small for your design. No one wants to buy a pin you can’t read! At Ultimate Promotions, we clearly communicate design concerns to our clients prior to placing an order.
（Another related post: Hard vs Soft Enamel Pins: What’s the Difference?)
2. Thickness and Type of Base Metal
Many people equate pin thickness with quality. The quality of a product is determined by its appearance and feel. In our industry, pin thickness is fairly standard. The thickness of our hard enamel pins varies depending on size.
3. Enamel Pin Quality
Is the paint clean and firm? If your sample is lighter in color, look closely at the dirt on the base metal for any color swirls or blemishes. Also, look for dust or spots stuck in the paint. Look between some of the letters at the “A” to make sure the inside is filled. If not, the pin size may be too small for the design, or the supplier didn’t have the pin bases clean enough at the factory before painting.
Is your chosen enamel color rich and bright? Are you seeing highs and lows that shouldn’t be there? Have your pins been polished? Did the enamel fill all parts of the dowel, or did I miss a spot during laying the enamel? Soft enamel processes will not show a flat surface on your design, while our hard enamel processes will.
4. Posts and Handles
Remove the backing and push the post back and forth slightly. Will the weld hold or will it come off? Is the butterfly clutch easy to remove and use?
5. Placement of Backing
Is the backing centered so it hangs properly on the garment? Sometimes an off-center backing is required to allow the pin to hang properly.
（Another related post: How to Make Profit from An Enamel Pin Business?)
6. Plating Quality
Are there any marks or spots on the edges of the pins? Is the metal finish a beautiful bright gold, nickel, or bronze? If you’re considering an antique or sandblasted finish, it’s especially important to ask for samples to see if you like the effect. It is also common for factories to have different shades of gold plating. Some people prefer yellow.
（Another related post: How to Display Enamel Pins to Increase Attractiveness)
7. Experience and Comments
Choose a company with a proven track record. In our opinion, it takes a manufacturer or supplier 10 years or more to achieve excellence. It is also common for online businesses to allow customers to review them on social media or Google Maps. We started this business as a manufacturer.
Most enamel pin suppliers just take your design and order it from another factory. If they don’t understand the manufacturing process, you may be paying too much! When we order pins for you, you can be sure that your art, logo, and pin ideas will go perfectly with your custom lapel pins.