Why Are Enamel Pins So Expensive?

Enamel pins are a handy way to express one’s style and motives. Their trend is rising as businesses prefer pins to reflect branding. However, their extensive use often raises the question: why are enamel pins so expensive?

 

First things first: Enamels are very expensive, no doubt. Not one thing increases their prices. Instead, multiple factors involved in their production process are the culprits. Are you curious to know the answer to WHY? Keep reading as I Type!

Factors that Make Enamel Pins Expensive

I won’t spend much time talking about enamels and their importance. Let’s get straight into the factors that make these pins expensive. 

1- Designs of Pins

The production process of enamel pins starts with design creation. Each enamel pin has a distinct design and style. The complexity of a pin’s design will impact its cost. For example, you need a very intricate design, which the designer must create using digital tools. 

 

Moreover, the intricate design will also impact the mold creation. Filling enamels in intricate or large designs is also challenging and costly. More enamel will be needed to fill those recessed areas. On the other hand, simple design pins are relatively cost-effective. 

2- Mold Creation & Base Material

As I said, each pin is created with the help of a mold. The manufacturer creates the mold according to the design. If the design is very complex, mold creation will be difficult, and vice versa. Moreover, the material used in making pins also holds the highest value.

 

Enamel pins can be made from various materials, including iron, brass, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. Iron is generally cheap, so enamel pins made with this material are not very expensive. 

 

However, some premium enamel pins are made with aluminum or stainless steel. These materials are very expensive and add additional cost to the enamel pins. However, the additional bucks you pay for the premium material are worth it. The reason is that they make enamel very strong and durable. 

3- Size and Type

Enamel pins come in different sizes and shapes, which affect their cost. For example, manufacturers will charge more if you need a larger pin with a bigger design. Second, more enamel will be needed to fill those recessed areas.

 

Additionally, the manufacturer will have to use more base material to make big sizes. Conversely, the cost will be very low if you need a small enamel pin. This is because it will need a small design, which would reduce cost. The same applies to the enamel filling.

 

There are two primary kinds of enamel pins: hard and soft. Hard enamels are glossy and have an ideal surface finish. They are expensive because they undergo multiple heating cycles during production. On the other hand, soft enamel pins are inexpensive and have raised lines or designs.

4- Manufacturers Unavailability

 

Not all the countries have enamel manufacturers. Interestingly, some countries have banned enamel pin manufacturers. They do this due to the production of counterfeit coins. Let me shock you: there are no enamel pin manufacturers in North America and many regions of the United Kingdom.

 

The majority of enamel pins are manufactured in China. So, the customers outside China have to pay importation fees. They will have to send their requirements to the manufacturer to get the job done. The shipping of pins from China to other countries involves some shipping costs. These importation fees and shipping costs make pins expensive.

5- Enamel Pins Quantity

Imagine a customer living outside China and ordering a few enamel pins. This scenario will increase the cost of each pin. Generally, manufacturers make pins in batches. One batch or cycle produces many pins. The manufacturer will charge you the price of the complete batch, regardless of whether you need a few pins.

On the flip side, if you place an order in bulk, you will get a discount. The manufacturer will produce all your pins in one batch, reducing the overall cost. Imagine one batch can produce 50 enamel pins. You order ten pins, so manufacturers must make ten pins in a batch instead of 50.

 

However, the manufacturer will spend the same time and energy producing ten pins as he does making 50 pins. Thus, he will charge you more to cover the production cost. If you place 50 enamel pins, the manufacturer will produce all 50 pins in one batch. The price of that batch will be the same, but you will get more pins. 

 

Disclaimer: The above batch and pin count are just examples to help you understand how they work. The production process of enamel pins is very complex, involving multiple steps. Bulk ordering the enamel pins will reduce the cost per pin.

Are Custom Enamel Pins Also Expensive?

 

Yes, these pins are also quite expensive due to the involvement of specific design creation. Moreover, it also depends on the extent of customization. If you need extensive customization in pins, their price will be very high, and the reverse is true, too.

 

Let me explain why customized enamel pins cost so much. First, the designer has to create a custom design for your purpose. This design will be forwarded to the manufacturer, where mold will be created. The complex design will make the mold creation process more challenging.

 

The chances are high that the custom design you got will have more colors. So, the manufacturer will have to use different colors and enamels to make the required pin. All these factors contribute to the high pricing of these pins.

 

But guess what? A simple custom design can reduce the price. Suppose your design is not very complex and requires easy design. It will make production straightforward and less costly. Moreover, customization costs will be even more reduced if the design has one color. 

How to Reduce the Price of Enamel Pins?

Everyone wants to know about reducing and optimizing the cost of pins. Let me give you a hard pill to swallow, as you cannot reduce the cost of pins. But there is a good thing that you can optimize it. But the question is HOW? Here are some effective tips to control the cost:

 

• Never use complex designs on the enamel pins. They may look elegant and attractive, but they make the pins expensive. Instead, use a simple design to express your message.
• Never place the order of one or a few enamel pins. The reason is that manufacturing a few or bulk pins of the same design costs the same for the manufacturers. Therefore, all the manufacturers offer discounts on bulk orders. You should place a bulk order, as this will reduce the price per pin.
• Many people consider choosing premium materials such as stainless steel. But I don’t recommend it. You should rather use brass or iron material as a base. These materials are inexpensive and reduce the cost of pins. This tip is even more valid if your pins are related to a specific event. When the event passes, the pins will be useless. 
• If your country has local enamel pin manufacturers, you should always prefer them. The reason is that choosing them will reduce the shipping and import fees. When you use a foreign manufacturer, you will have to pay more. The taxes will make the pins super expensive. 

Conclusion

 

Enamel pins are undoubtedly on trend. However, their production costs make them super expensive. If you live in a country without manufacturing, matters will be even more challenging. This guide presents the key factors that are the culprits behind their high prices. 

 

I have also mentioned some tips to help you shop wisely. In the end, I must say that their prices are high, but they are worth the investment. Why? Because they are an ideal option for branding and getting your message heard by others.