Attachment: The backing piece that secures the pin to clothing or another surface.
Butterfly Clutch (Military Clutch): A standard metal backing named for the two “wings” you squeeze to release it. Included by default with many pins.
Rubber Clutch: A soft, flexible backing made of PVC or rubber. It grips securely through friction and is comfortable against the skin.
Deluxe Clutch (Flathead Locking Clutch): A premium locking back with a low-profile metal top and internal spring mechanism. It locks securely and must be lifted to release.
Jeweller’s Clutch: A high-quality locking back with a rounded or “ball top” design and internal spring for a strong hold. Released by pulling up the top.
Magnet Backing: A two-part attachment that uses magnetic force instead of piercing fabric. One magnet is attached to the pin, the other goes inside clothing.
Safety Pin Attachment: A traditional hinged safety-pin style backing, often used for larger or heavier pins or thick fabrics.
Hat Clip: A slide-on attachment designed for displaying pins on the brim of a hat without piercing it.
Keychain Attachment: An accessory that converts a pin into a keychain using a small chain and split ring.
Lapel Pin: A general term for any decorative pin worn on clothing, often on a jacket lapel.
Enamel Pins: Pins filled with colored enamel within metal outlines. Available in two main types: hard enamel and soft enamel.
Hard Enamel Pins: Smooth, polished finish with enamel filled flush to the metal lines.
Soft Enamel Pins: Recessed enamel lower than the raised metal.
Custom Die Struck Pins: Pins made by stamping a design into metal, creating raised and recessed areas. Can be color-filled or left as polished metal.
Custom 3D Die Cast Pins: Pins made by pouring molten metal into a 3D mold for dimensional, sculpted designs.
Custom Printed Pins (Standard Printed): Designs printed directly onto metal and coated with epoxy for protection. Ideal for detailed artwork and photos.
Custom UV Printed Pins: Pins printed with UV-cured inks for vivid, full-color designs without metal outlines. Offers a faster production time, more design flexibility with unlimited colors and gradients, and superior color vibrancy due to instant ink curing. UV printing is also ideal for complex designs, photographs, and smaller batch orders.
Screen Printed Pins: Pins printed with spot-color ink layers for sharp lines and exact color matching. Ideal for photos.
Glitter Enamel Pins: Enamel mixed with glitter particles for sparkle.
Glow-in-the-Dark Pins: Enamel with glow pigments that emit light in darkness.
Translucent Enamel Pins: Semi-transparent enamel that lets the metal texture show through.
Mold: A custom tool created for your specific design, used to stamp or cast your pins. Saved for future reorders.
Base Metal: The underlying metal used before plating, such as iron, zinc alloy, or brass.
Plating: The metal finish applied to the pin surface. Options include shiny gold, rose gold, silver, gunmetal, matte, antique, and two-tone combinations.
Dual Plating (Two-Tone Plating): Combines two different metal colors on a single pin for contrast and detail.
Post: The small metal needle-like piece on the back of a pin used for attachment.
Color Fill: The enamel or paint applied into recessed areas of a pin. Each color is contained by metal outlines.
Recessed Area: The lower sections of a die-struck or soft-enamel pin where enamel sits.
Epoxy Coating (Epoxy Dome): A clear, glossy resin layer applied over a printed design for protection and shine.
Polishing: The finishing step that smooths and shines metal, especially for hard enamel pins.
Debossed / Embossed: Recessed (debossed) or raised (embossed) metal details in a design.
Pantone Color Matching: A color standard used to ensure enamel colors precisely match your design or brand.
Digital Proof: A digital mockup showing your pin’s design, colors, and layout for approval before production.
Backstamp: A small logo, copyright, or text placed on the back of a pin for branding or authenticity.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): The smallest number of pins required for production, based on setup and mold costs.
Reorder: A repeat production using an existing mold, allowing faster turnaround and reduced cost.