6 Things To Look Out For When Buying Custom Pins.

Alan Potts
2 min readJul 13, 2018

--

Quality is a very subjective term. Online photos are not an ideal guideline for evaluation. It is important to ask for samples so as you can feel the pin suppliers work. Below are things to look out for when purchasing custom pins.

I. Legibility

Ensure the pin’s design holds up at scale. With the aim of cutting costs and winning a contract, vendors might suggest smaller pins. Is the pin size appropriate for your design? You definitely don’t want an unreadable pin. If your pin is detailed, go for a bigger size. The bigger the pin, the easier it is to read the words. Be sure to communicate your design concerns with your vendor before making an order.

I. Clarity

This mostly applies to custom enamel pins. Be keen on swirls and imperfections on your samples especially if they are brightly colored. Look out for specks or dust in the paint. Ensure the insides of letters like’ A’ are well filled and also between the lettering. If the filling is not proper, the pin size might not be appropriate for the design.

II. Backing Placement

There are a variety of backs for custom pins; metal butterfly clutch, rubber PVC pin backs, and deluxe metal clutch. What are your backing needs? Are you wearing the pins temporarily? How thick is the fabric to be attached to? For a temporary wearing, a metal butterfly clutch is the best option. They are appealing and easy to open. For heavy wear, rubber backings are the best fit. They last longer and easy on your fingertips. Ensure the backing is centrally placed for proper hanging on the garment. However, depending on the design, the off-centered backing may be required for correct hanging. Be sure to check on the grip. Check if the weld holds.

III. Electroplating Quality

Plating enhances a custom pin’s design if done correctly. The type of plating depends on several factors; does the pin have any spots or marks? Smaller text is hard to read with shiny plating. What is the color of the metal finish? Asking for samples will help you make a more informed decision.

IV. Reputation

Experience matters a lot. Go for the company with a track record. You could ask for recommendations or check reviews online. Just like any other business, there are middlemen acting suppliers. They take your desired design and make an order from another factory. You will end up paying much more.

V. Thickness

Thickness is mostly equated with quality. There are combinations for the pin diameter and thickness. If the diameter is larger than twice the metal thickness, your pin will have a rounder curl. If the pin has a lot of detail, it is advisable to have it thicker.

Publisher’s website:- https://www.gs-jj.com/

--

--

Alan Potts
Alan Potts

Written by Alan Potts

We work with progressive organisations and we challenge them to step-up & realise their aspirations, both as individuals & as a business.

No responses yet