In the not-too-distant past, badges and pins were mostly associated with the military or political causes. People wore them to proclaim their affiliation to political parties or social causes, and members of the military frequently use badges to mark their division, rank, and the like.

Today, these little accessories have become even more widely used – as awards, collectibles, fashion items, and so on. For businesses, badges and pins have also become an affordable way to bestow recognition to outstanding employees or to mark membership.

In the event that your organisation wants to get some unique pins as event giveaway items or for employees, you can get started with designing your own pins here! Although designing your brand’s pins shouldn’t be too difficult, there are still some things you need to know – like the material options available, colour restrictions, and so on. To help you begin, here’s a quick guide of all you need to know when ordering custom-made pins!

Pin style

Enamel pins, metal-casted, epoxy… What do all these mean? The different pin styles differ based on their material, method of imprinting, and finishing. You should look up what the different styles look like and make a decision based on the image you want the pin to give off.

For a start, here’s a quick overview of some common styles:

• Enamel pins: A stamping method is used to form the outlines, then colours are filled in. It only allows for solid colours and bold outlines, which gives off a cartoonish look.
• Metal-casted: Metal is poured into a mould to form the design. Like with enamel pins, it only allows for solid colours. It’s great for showing off the colour of the metal itself as well.
• Epoxy pins: The design is printed – allowing for full colours – and the surface is finished with a smooth, clear layer of epoxy. It has a polished, modern look.
• Sandblasted: The method subjects the surface of the metal to sand at high pressure, giving a rough, worn finish. You can have some solid colours to create some interesting contrast.

Pin design

Simple logos look best on pins, as overly-complicated designs will look cluttered. Stick to a few bold and recognisable colours, and use lines that are not too thin or close together. Keep in mind that each pin style has its own restrictions on colours used – some only allow a few solid colours, while styles that are made by printing will allow most range of colours.

As pins are typically quite small – usually not more than 3cm by 3cm – you should make it a point to visualise the design at that scale before finalising it. Ensure that the fonts can be read, and that the important details are clear. If you need any help adjusting your design, our in-house designers can advise you as well.

Packaging

Finally, don’t forget to consider the packaging of your custom-made pins! If it is a mass giveaway, perhaps you can do away with packaging to save costs and materials. However, if the pins are to be presented as gifts, awards, or to esteemed persons, it is always best to be more presentable.

You can select boxes with clear tops to show-off the pins, or premium customised boxes for an air of professionalism.

There, it’s not so hard, is it? With these 3 broad steps, you can be on your way to getting your beautiful custom-made pins. In Singapore, custom lapel pins remain a popular option, and is pretty affordable as well! Get started on your pin designs and contact us whenever you are ready to get your pins made specially for you.