Finding a Lapel Pin Manufacturer to Work With

Knowing exactly what you want and being informed before you begin working with a manufacturer will save you a lot of time.

You can order lapel pins from hundreds of different manufacturers. Just do a simple search on the Internet! Knowing exactly what you want and being informed before you begin working with a manufacturer will save you a lot of time.

First, the base of all pins is metal. The least expensive pins are made of iron with plating, but the most durable pins are made out of copper. A more expensive pin may be plated with gold or silver. A pin may be made of bronze or have an antique finish. After you decide on the base metal of the pin, you can go on to the fun part—the design, including the colors.

The most popular type of pin is the “hard enamel” type, as it allows the use of a virtually unlimited selection of colors. Some manufacturers call this cloisonné, but it is not true cloisonné art, which is more expensive and has a limited color range. Regardless, if your design calls for bright colors, the hard enamel pin is a good choice. Other types of lapel pins are embossed, die struck, or etched. Carefully selecting the design is what will ultimately make your lapel pin unique.

The company you select may be located in the U.S. but the manufacturer is likely to be overseas. Always check with the manufacturer to find out how long your order will take and how much the shipping charges will be. Get a quote and let the lapel pin manufacturer know what your budget is, as they have almost certainly made pins similar to those you have ordered. If you have a complex design, find out if they can make a prototype for you to approve before they make a large quantity.

If you don't have a special design, you can simply order stock lapel pins with symbols like flags, states, animals, smiley faces, and other common designs. Stock lapel pins can be purchased inexpensively in bulk quantities and are almost always available for shipping immediately. You won’t have any setup or design fees and may be able to find low discount or clearance prices.

Another option is to buy wholesale. To do this, you must have a business license and order a certain minimum quantity. Schools and charitable organizations may also qualify for wholesale prices. With a wholesale order, you may also be offered free artwork, free shipping, and other incentives. If you are a business wanting to purchase at least 50 units, buying wholesale may be the best option for you.

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