Looks like someone sent you to the right place!
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Trying to create an enamel pin for the first time? Already making pins but have been looking for better rates or just better service/communication?
Let us help you communicate direct and get your designs made!
We have answers for you below to get you more familiar with Enamel Pins and when you're ready to go, we'll do all the hard work to make the process easy for you!
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Just remember, we are merely artists helping artists. We are not making the pins ourselves!

​Where are the pins made?

They are made in China, as pretty much all pins are.  Most places hosted in the US are making them there and charging you a 3-4x multiple and acting like they made them in the US. I work directly with a manufacturer in China to provide the lowest price possible. 

​What's the difference between soft enamel and hard enamel pins?

Soft enamel are what you are probably most familiar with.  They have raised and lowered areas with enamel in them and have some texture due to that.  Hard enamel pins are polished and buffed down smooth and have very little texture.   Hard enamel must also use a plated metal to hold up to the buffing down process. ​

​What kind of metal options do I have?

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​What kind of clasp do they come with?

My default are the black rubber clasps, but we can do metal butterfly(same cost) or yellow rubber clutches.  Between butterfly metal ones and rubber ones, they each have their own faults and strengths.  Most people use the rubber ones so they can't snag on clothing and because there are multiple fun color options.

​Can I get only 50 pins made?

Technically, yes.  Is it worth it?  It depends on how much turnaround you are looking to make.  For about $30-40 more, you could get 100 instead of 50.  Some first time makers go with 50 pins so they can sell all of them. You can always re-print more at a lower cost and even change up the colors for the same design. 

Are reprints of pins any cheaper?

If you have made a pin through me and you need to get more made, you will save on cost by not needing to pay for the mold casting. 

​Do I see a physical sample to approve before production?

99.9% of the time there is not one made. The process get's us set up right before the order even gets to the factory so there's minimal changes and our expectations are accurate. If the order is of 500+ qty and you really want to approve one first, one can be made.

Are rush orders available?

Anything under 2 weeks turnaround will have a 10% rush fee added to the total.  I will do what I can for you, but I cannot guarantee a hard deadline.  99% of the time, we hit the date and I will always ask the factory for a specific date if it is reasonable and if they can't do it, they will say they can't, so I won't take on a job that's a rush that doesn't have the chance of getting done in time, but if they are an extreme rush and it gets missed by a few days, I cannot discount/refund your order.  Pins are still a multi-step handmade item, so it's not a machine that pumps out a finished product where we just jump up in the line.  If they can't be done, they can't be done.  The factory is closed on weekends and the proofing process takes a few days.  These also ship from overseas and we can't just do away with real life transit times.  There is no amount of money that could get pins to you in a week, no matter how much you will it to be, but it can't hurt to ask me about the date you need.

​If I have multiple designs I want made at once, does it change the price?

​Depending on quantities, I can often swing a nice combo deal if you are ordering multiple pins at one time.  Just email me and I'll get a quote worked out.  Because the shipping gets shared, there's automatically a slight reduction there and if you are getting 200 each of two designs I can usually work out a lower price for you than if it were two stand alone orders.  On average, doing two or more at once will save.

​What kind of art works best?

Simple, clean and bold lines work best.  Think of it like a logo in that it needs to translate well at a small size.  Very tiny lines and details will get lost when it's made into a metal mold.  If you need a test, size your art and print it out at home to see how it may look.  Colors cannot touch each other without a border between them.  Think of it likes walls keeping the colors in where they need to be.  ​

​What kind of file do you need?

Vector art is the best. That can be an AI file or EPS/PDF vector. If you don't know how to do that, just send me a high resolution file that you have and I can see what I can do. I can usually make a vector form a good sized, 300 dpi, clean file in any file type. 

​Can you help me with my art?

Submit what you have and I will see if it's usable. If I need to convert it to a proper AI or EPS vector file for you, I can with clean art. If you took your image from the internet, it most likely won't work. Most things can be converted pretty easily if it was created in some kind of art software.
If your art needs a lot of work, or needs to be designed from scratch, I will not be able to work on that. This is a small Bespoke service focused on helping with just the pin production end, not designing.
This is also the same with the colors. If you do not know what colors you want to use, I can try and help use choose the Pantone colors which seem best. If your design is using a large amount of colors, it would be better that you have the colors chosen beforehand because not all colors will match Enamel Pantone colors.

Do pins come on backing cards?

No. This Bespoke service is strictly for pin production. 

Where can I get my own backing cards printed?

I suggest using at least a 16pt paper stock if you want them rigid and 14pt if you like them to have some flex.  If you want digital printing done, check out some places like vistaprint.com or uprinting.com or google for cheap business cards.  Some people just get business cards made up and use those as you can often find a place doing $9.99 for 500.  If you'd like a more personal experience with digital printing or are looking for a letterpress backing card to get fancy, hit up Dae at twocrowsprinting.com.  

Process steps once you have submitted to make the pins.

1. I will review the submission and email back within a business day to confirm the information or answer questions.
2. A quote mockup will be created of the final pin decision to be quoted.
3. A quote direct from the manufacturer is typically provided within two business days. 
4. The quote and Bespoke Invoice will be emailed for payment via Paypal.
5. Once payment is received, the production mockup will be submitted with payment to the manufacturer to begin.
6. Within 24-48 hrs, we will be provided a digital proof from the factory that shows the mold lines and details. If approved, they move forward to schedule the pins or we can request changes and get new proofs.
7. Once approved, production begins and takes about 3 business weeks.
8. When the pins are completed, they are batched with other pins orders to provide cheaper shipping rates.
9. I will get notified of shipping date and update you on estimated arrival time.
10.  Once they arrive to me, I snap a quick picture for you and update tracking via email.
11.  The pins ship same or following day they arrive to me and ship priority mail to you(2-3 days in transit) and that's included in your pricing.

What is the turn-around time?

Pins take 3 business weeks to get to me from time of payment and art approval.  Part of the fee charged includes airmail of your pins to me and once I have them, they ship 2 Day Priority USPS (included in your price).  It's the cheapest and fastest way to ship them due to weight.  Basically, from proof approval to your door will average 3-4 weeks.

​How do I pay?

You will be sent an invoice and instructions to pay via PayPal for orders.  All payments and billing will be run through The Pin Studio business account. I do not give terms on pins.  You pay me, I pay the factory and we are rolling, keeping your costs as minimal as possible.

Where do the pins ship from once in the states?

Your pins ship from me in Boston, MA 2 Day Priority anywhere in CONUS

How much should I sell my pins for?

Most people price pins at $10-12 on their site with $10 being the most common price.  Example.  You get 200 pins made for $325 (example, not a real quote). You need to sell 33 of them to break even and the other 167 of them are all profit = +$1670

what if I change my mind or want my money back? 

​We offer returns on Pin Production orders within 3 business days of Production Purchase through the online shop. After this allotted time, the pin molds have already begun to be produced and the production cannot be stopped. Please remember that this is merely a service provided to assist in communicating and helping you order the pins to be made, The Pin Studio is not creating the pins in house. If the manufacturer cannot refund, we will not be able to refund. We will do what we can to explain your situation or make sure the pins are made right. In the case of the 3 business days, refunds will be made via the online shop or Business Paypal to the method payed with, minus Bespoke Service fees. Please allow 2-5 business days for credit to show up.

*We are happy to assist with general questions regarding the pin production process but require a Bespoke Submission in order to provide a mock up and quote. We cannot provide an estimate without a proper evaluation of the design.

We offer returns on Pin Production orders within 3 business days of Production Purchase through the online shop. After this allotted time, the pin molds have already begun to be produced and the production cannot be stopped. Please remember that this is merely a service provided to assist in communicating and helping you order the pins to be made, The Pin Studio is not creating the pins in house. If the manufacturer cannot refund, we will not be able to refund. In the case of the 3 business days, refunds will be made via the online shop or Business Paypal to the method payed with, minus Bespoke Service fees. Please allow 2-5 business days for credit to show up.

Bespoke Pin Studio is open to all designs from all clients, we will not produce any pin or product that endorses any discrimination against race and gender.
​We reserve the right to refuse service at any time.