There are hundreds of lapel pin companies to choose from. A simple search on the Internet yields multiple hits. It’s important to have an idea of what you want before you begin working with a lapel pin manufacturer. There are several types of pins, but the base of all lapel pins is metal. You can order very inexpensive pins made out of iron with plating, but lapel pins made out of copper are the most durable. A lapel pin manufacturer can plate a pin with gold, silver, bronze or even an antique finish. Once you decide on the basic metal of the pin, then you can move on to the fun part – the colorful design of the lapel pin!
There are different types of pins to choose from, but the most popular type is the “hard enamel” lapel pin. This type of pin allows for an almost unlimited selection of colors. Some lapel pin manufacturers call this cloisonné, but it is not true cloisonné. If your design requires bright colors, consider the hard enamel pin. The true cloisonné pin is limited to only about 100 colors, but these are often the most collectible type of lapel pins. You may also choose lapel pins that are embossed, die struck or etched – careful selection of the design will ultimately make your custom lapel pin unique.
While the company you deal with may be located in the US, most lapel pin manufacturers deal with factories overseas. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to find out how long your order will take and what kind of shipping charges are involved. Always get a quote, and make sure to let the lapel pin manufacturers know what your budget is – they almost certainly have made something similar to what you need. For complex designs, find out if a prototype lapel pin can be created.
If you don’t need a special design, and are looking for something a little simpler you can also order stock lapel pins. These are pins with recognized symbols like flags, smiley faces, states, animals and other designs. Stock lapel pins are usually immediately available and can be purchased in affordable bulk quantities. Stock lapel pins will not incur any set-up or art fees, as the custom lapel pins will. You may also be able to find stock lapel pins at low clearance prices.
Another affordable option is to order wholesale lapel pins. To place a wholesale order, you must have a business license and usually you have to buy a certain amount of lapel pins to qualify for wholesale pricing. Schools and charitable organizations may also qualify, so be sure to ask! The upside of wholesale lapel pins is that you will often receive free artwork, free shipping and other incentives. If you are a business looking to purchase at least 50 units, buying wholesale lapel pins may be the best option for you.