Call/Text: 877.637.4858 | sales@wildpins.com
Pin Types
At Wildpins, we offer several popular pin styles to match your design, budget, and event needs. Here’s a breakdown of our most common options:
🏅 Quick Custom Pin Type Comparison (Mobile)
Simple view for quick reference
| Pin Type | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Die Struck (Soft Enamel) | Affordable, classic look | $$ |
| Printed (Offset / Photo) | Complex designs, gradients, unlimited colors | $ |
| Zinc Alloy | 3D designs, high-relief textures | $$$ |
| 3D UV Zinc Alloy | Sculpted designs, vivid color & texture | $$$$ |
| Hard Enamel (Cloisonné) | Premium, jewelry-like finish | $$$ |
| Cloisonné w/ Printing | High detail when no metal lines possible | $$$ |
🏅 Quick Custom Pin Type Comparison
(Scroll down for more detail and examples)
| Pin Type | Best For | Detail Level | Color Options | Durability | Weight | Cost Range | Popular Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Die Struck (Soft Enamel) | Affordable, classic look | Moderate to High (raised metal lines) | Up to 5 standard colors (more at extra cost). Often no enamel needed | Excellent | Heavy (iron) or Medium (brass) | $$ | Sports trading pins, club pins, recognition pins, military coins, award medals, medallions |
| Printed (Offset / Photo) | Complex designs, gradients, unlimited colors | Very High (photo-quality) | Unlimited colors, gradients, tints, shades | Very Good (with epoxy dome) | Light | $ | Logo pins, photo pins, corporate branding, events |
| Zinc Alloy | 3D designs, high-relief textures | High to Very High (rounded edges, sculpted look) | Up to 5 standard colors (more at extra cost). Often no enamel needed | Excellent | Medium | $$$ | 3D pins, commemorative pins, special awards, auto emblems, military coins, award medals, medallions |
| 3D UV Zinc Alloy | Sculpted designs for brilliant texture and quality | Very High (3D relief + UV-printed surfaces) | Unlimited full-color UV print on raised or recessed areas, gradients possible | Excellent quality, newer process | Medium to Heavy | $$$$ | High-end 3D trading pins, sports pins, collector pins, special recognition awards |
| Hard Enamel (Cloisonné) | Premium, jewelry-like finish | High (polished flat surface, smooth enamel) | Wide range of solid PMS colors (no gradients). Colors separated by metal lines | Exceptional (scratch-resistant) | Medium to Heavy | $$$ | High-end recognition pins, corporate gifts, award pins, collectible pins, jewelry-style pins |
| Cloisonné / Hard Enamel with Printing | When you want detail in your pin and there is no space for metal lines to contain the enamel | High (same as Hard Enamel) | Wide range of PMS colors (printing allows extra detail, gradients optional) | Very Good | Medium to Heavy | $$$ | High-end recognition, great for detailed logos or designs, collectible pins, jewelry-style pins |
Many other types of custom pins become possible when we blend one type of pin with another…and/or add special effects. Be sure and visit our Special Effects page to get a better idea of what is possible for your pin.
Die Struck Pins (Stamped / Soft Enamel)
Made from iron (heavier) or brass (lighter, slightly more expensive)
Your design is stamped into the base material, with small metal lines separating each color
Up to 5 colors included (additional colors available)
Colors are hand-painted for a vibrant, high-quality look
Finished with a FREE protective epoxy dome for scratch resistance and a shiny finish
Prefer to feel the texture of the design? We can leave the epoxy off upon request
Available platings: gold, silver, bronze, copper, black, antique gold, antique silver, antique bronze, antique copper, and more.
Why choose this style? Affordable, durable, and extremely popular for team and event pins
Printed Pins (Offset Printed / Silk-Screened / Photo Pins)
Made from aluminum or brass
Your design is printed directly onto the metal surface — allowing for:
Unlimited colors
Gradients, tints, and shading not possible with hand-painting
Lighter than die struck pins and generally less expensive
Base metal thickness typically ranges from .8mm to 1.2mm (heavier metal available at additional cost)
Always finished with a FREE protective epoxy dome for a glossy, scratch-resistant surface
Available base metals: gold, silver, bronze, copper, or black
Why choose this style? Perfect for detailed, photo-quality artwork with no color limitations
Zinc Alloy Pins
Very similar to die struck pins, with colors separated by raised metal lines
Edges tend to be more rounded than die struck pins
Excellent choice for 3D pins or high-relief emblems and multiple layers of relief.
Available platings: gold, silver, bronze, copper, black, antique gold, antique silver, antique bronze, antique copper, and more.
Why choose this style? Ideal for pins with sculpted textures or raised details
Zinc Alloy 3D UV Pins
Zinc Alloy pins with a unique coloring process allowing the metal to be ‘coated’ with color, even convex areas
Allows for unique texture
Excellent choice for 3D pins or high-relief emblems and multiple layers of relief.
Available platings: gold, silver, bronze, copper, black, antique gold, antique silver, antique bronze, antique copper, and more.
Why choose this style? Ideal for 3D sculpted textures and raised details
Hard Enamel Pins
die struck brass pins, with colors separated by raised metal lines
Enamel does not sink into the design but is hard, and stays level with the top of the pin.
Up to 5 colors included (additional colors available)
Colors are hand-painted for a vibrant, high-quality look
Pins are then baked and polished, smooth to the touch
Available platings: gold, silver, bronze, copper, black, antique gold, antique silver, antique bronze, antique copper, and more.
Why choose this style? Considered the more prestigious pin. Often used for corporate or business logos
