Custom lapel pins are small metal badges made to your artwork for corporate identity, event souvenirs, club and team recognition, and fundraising. Metal Memories Co. has produced them in-house since 1984. As a factory-direct manufacturer, we run die striking, etching, and printing under one roof, so quotes, samples, and revisions come straight from the production floor.
Materials & Options
Lapel pin durability and appearance start with the base metal. We work in five standard metals and can recommend one based on your design, size, and quantity.
- Copper – dense and smooth, the standard base for die struck cloisonné and detailed relief work
- Brass – a firm, fine-grained stamping metal suited to corporate and recognition pins
- Stainless steel – hard and strong, chosen for pins that see daily wear
- Aluminum – lightweight, commonly used for photo etched and printed pins
- Iron – the economical stamping base for high-volume promotional pins
Color is applied by process: mineral ore ground into hard enamel, soft enamel colors that leave raised metal outlines, colored resin for a smooth sealed surface, or printing ink for gradients and fine detail. Send your artwork and our team will match it to the right metal and color system.
Manufacturing Processes
Every pin is made in our own factory using one of four core processes.
Die struck (stamping). A custom die presses your design into the metal, creating raised and recessed areas. Filled with mineral ore hard enamel, this is our die struck cloisonné process: color sits level with the metal surface for a durable pin with a pronounced, jewelry-like relief.
Photo etching. Your artwork is etched into the metal, then filled with soft enamel. Because etched lines hold their width, photo etched soft enamel pins reproduce fine detail and small lettering that stamping cannot carry at the same size.
Silk screen printing. Ink is pressed through a fine mesh onto the metal or enamel surface, laying down flat, solid spot colors.
Offset printing. For photographic images and smooth gradients, offset printing reproduces the full artwork in printing ink, including color blends that enamel filling cannot achieve.
Popular Styles
Most lapel pin programs fall into four types:
- Corporate identity pins – logos for employee awards, sales teams, and conference staff, often produced as die struck cloisonné for a durable, high-relief finish
- Event souvenirs – dated and themed designs for anniversaries, festivals, and trade shows, where offset printing handles photographic artwork
- Club and team recognition – photo etched soft enamel pins that keep crests, mascots, and lettering sharp at small sizes
- Fundraising pins – simple repeatable designs that keep unit pricing accessible for schools and volunteer groups
Unsure which process suits your artwork? Send the file and we will quote two or three options side by side.
How to Order Custom Lapel Pins
Ordering custom lapel pins from Metal Memories Co. runs in five steps:
- Submit inquiry – send your artwork, size, and quantity through our quote form or WhatsApp.
- Free design & quote – our designers prepare production-ready art and confirm pricing; every inquiry receives a reply within 24 hours.
- Sampling – review a physical sample made from your approved artwork.
- Production – your order runs on our in-house line.
- QC & shipping – each pin is inspected, then packed and shipped.
The full process is described on our How to Order page.
FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity for custom lapel pins?
Minimum order quantities depend on the process—die struck cloisonné, photo etched soft enamel, and offset printed pins each carry different setup requirements. Your confirmed [MOQ] is stated in the quotation we send with your free design.
How long will production take?
Standard production lead time is [LEAD TIME], counted from sample approval. Because stamping, etching, and printing all happen in our own factory, quoted dates come directly from our production schedule rather than a third-party supplier.
Which coloring method should I choose for my design?
It depends on the artwork. Mineral ore hard enamel suits solid, durable color; soft enamel emphasizes raised metal outlines; colored resin creates a smooth sealed surface; printing ink handles gradients and photographic detail. Send your artwork and we will recommend the closest match.
Can I see a sample before the full run?
Yes. Sampling is a set stage in every order: we produce a physical sample from your approved artwork, and mass production begins only after you confirm it. Note your sampling requirements in the inquiry form.
Request a Quote
Ready to order custom lapel pins? Send your artwork and quantity through our quote form and receive pricing with a free design proof—replies within 24 hours. Prefer chat? Message us on WhatsApp. Metal Memories Co., factory direct since 1984.