When you need a lot of colors, high detail or gradients, UV pins are a great option. This new style has quickly gained favor for anime and licensed products. Because they get priced like a 1 color soft enamel, they are also very affordable.
Average turnaround - 4 weeks
Rush Turnaround - 3-3.5 weeks
MEGA RUSH - 2.5 weeks (more simple shapes/no specialty inks)
Ready to push the limits of pin making? Full color UV printed pins break all of the rules and print in full color onto the metal of your choice. They most resemble the look of a hard enamel pin and look amazing. Print on any metal your prefer. We add a thin clear coating to the printing to help protect the printing, or you can choose a thicker epoxy coating. We like the thin coat because they resemble hard enamel so much.
This method can also be added to a hard enamel pin if you only want to add specific elements vs all of it printed and can be found here.
Think of it like printing 2.0 that handles really complex printing vs screen printing. If you only need 1-2 solid colors printed, adding screen printing to hard enamel would be more cost effective.
What makes a shape need die-cut zinc alloy?
When the shape has deeper cut in areas, any holes or a lot of thin or cut in areas, we need to use a different kind of mold that is cast in zinc alloy vs iron(stamped for simpler shapes). Areas like cut ins for legs, arms, hair and any shape that doesn't have a soft enough overall edge to it may need zinc alloy, which is a softer metal that allows finer details in the mold. They cost more because of the mold type and raw materials cost of zinc over iron. Any pins larger than 1.75" need to use die cut zinc alloy molds by default.
FAQS
Do I see a proof before they get made? We send a digital proof for your review before production is officially scheduled. If approved, we are rolling, but if you need adjustments, we will get new proofs until you approve. There is not a hard sample fully completed to review before production resumes. If you need to see a single sample first, it will 2x the turnaround. They'd need to do a full labor run for a single item, and if approved, they have to start the process over again.
Can you choose Rainbow Metal for UV Printed pins?
Yes, but the pricing gets complicated because even a simple shape in rainbow needs a "die cast" zinc alloy mold. You can choose a 1 color Rainbow Soft Enamel Pin and ask for UV printing in the notes of the order. The number of colors doesn't change the cost for UV unless you are looking to do soft enamel in some areas and add UV printing (two processes). In that case, you'd choose the number of regular ink colors and select to add printing.
How do I know if my shape is complex or die cut? Simple shapes or ones with sofer edges can be made by being stamped in sheets of iron. More complex shapes with deeper cut in areas, cut outs and tight cut in sections needs to be casted in zinc alloy and use a different mold and base metal. The cost more because of the material/mold differences. If you are unsure, email us. and if you check out with one and needs one or the other and you chose wrong, we will either refund the difference or send a request for the remaining amount.
Can I do variants? Please email for pricing on variants. If the print changes, there would have to be another print fee. If the metal changes, it should only adjust the cost if the variant metl costs more/less.
Is there a color limit? Nope. You can print in full color, gradients, etc
Can I add glitter or glow? Unfortunately, on these, you cannot.
Can I add numbering or a backstamp? Yes! Unlike a backstamp on an offset pin that is printed, these use a molded embossed backstamp and if you have one on file already, we can use it for free.
What's the difference between clear coat and w/ epoxy? The clear coating is a thinner coating and makes them feel a lot like hard enamel. Epoxy will be a thicker clear coating on top and more resemble a soft epoxy pin.
Do I need to pay upfront for my order? Do you do 50/50 deposits? All custom merchandise needs to be paid for in full upfront. If you want something proofed first, email us and will can walk you through everything and get it proofed first. We do have options for split payments at checkout that allow you to spread out the payments over time and they don't cost you more to do.
What happens if my order gets messed up? We are making hand made products and things can go wrong. A color mixed up, the plating having small issues, etc. Any order made wrong or with issues can be either re-made or refunded with the bad product returned. We never want this to happen, but when it does, we have your back and it won't cost you anything.
Shape Guide
Templates
Do you use Procreate? Download our template as a zip with canvas and a brush set for Ink minimums, metal line minimums and cut out areas
Procreate Templates with Pin minimums
Procreate 10"x10" 300 dpi template with Brush Sets for Metal/Ink & Cut Outs
Backing Card Templates - Pins + Keychains
80x54mm Pin Backing Card
75x100mm Pin Backing Card
Metals
Backings
