How to Make Enamel Pins & Where to Get Pins Made (Plus My Collection)

How to Make Enamel Pins for Beginners + Manufacturing + Pricing + Collection
00:00 - intro
00:37 - the Artwork
01:39 - made in China
02:42 - Middle Men?
04:05 - Vectorzing
05:39 - Galaxy Design Squad
06:14 - Price Breakdown
11:48 - Alchemy Merch
14:09 - Grading
16:00 - My Collection
20:06 - Outro
Manufacturers
galaxydesignsquad.com/
alchemymerch.com/
There are 100s of Manufacturers available out there, but these are the two I've had the best experience with. (not sponsored)
Music by Streambeats
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[@MikuHatsune159]

As a fellow pin collector, it is nice to see the breakdown of costs because artists don't really like to divulge the manufacturing details and process unless you are another well-known artist or a friend of theirs. I'm also finally attending my local convention in over 3 years due to pandemic/work obligations and looking forward to the new hard enamel pins I'll own 👀 it's like my one joy in life that did not disappear.

[@Inkwell]

Ahhh I hope you find some good ones, thanks for watching!

[@JohnSmith-bw6pv]

I've never seen such a young person not care that they are willingly destroying the planet.. especially for some corny copycat bs

[@MikuHatsune159]

@@JohnSmith-bw6pv I'm not going to disagree with you on that because I'm well aware that a lot of hobbies, such as this one, harm the planet. The thing is, even if all hobbyist and artists are aware of it, there's no stopping the factories and others from continuing the businesses. I can go ahead and teach artists but there's always going to be someone who won't stop or is planning to go into making them. It's the same with almost any product on earth, either it's being over produced or becomes waste but what am I or anyone else going to be able to do at a larger scale to prevent it?

[@morganbartfield5457]

@@JohnSmith-bw6pv Yeh unlike all those older actors and millionaires who fly private jets and sail huge expensive gas guzzling polluting yachts, while at the same time pretending to be planet friendly eco warriors. I bet you still watch films and tv though don't you? Use electricity that is powered by fossil fuels? The only way we could avoid hypocrisy is to live like the tribes, which I personally would love to do, but some people want or need their tech and cars and worst of all, money.

[@Tahllia]

And I understand why. A markup of $6 and some change up to $30 is umm... It would feel a bit unfair to some

[@oohmymiyah508]

I hope you know how helpful this is. I've seen situations so many times people ask artist how things are made and they only really show the drawing process and never what happens with manufacturing. I'm not mad at anyone, but I'm relieved someone such as yourself doesn't mind being honest :') I appreciate this greatly 🥰❤️

[@Inkwell]

I happy to hear you find it helpful!

[@wnm-nicole]

Hello friends,I'm Nicole, a pin manufacturer from China. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Please contact me for customized enamel pins. We support small batch trial orders.Thanks.

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

As someone who has no interest in enamel pins, has no interest in manufacturing them, and has no idea how or why this video ended up in my recommended: this was really cool and interesting! Thank you!

[@Inkwell]

🤣🤣 thanks for watching

[@missingclover]

Its crazy whenever I see how hard it is to manufacture stuff in America. I live in Mexico and just had to make some pins a couple weeks ago and had several options of manufacturers in my country, even had some locally on my city (I do live on the capital of my state so maybe that's why) and in the end it took like a week of manufacturing and one day shipping since the company I went with was just a couple states over. I see this with clothing, cups, screen printing, everything. There are a ton of screen printing shops on my city I can just walk in and order some tshirts with my custom design. No need to ask to chinese manufacturers or anything like that, I also just finished some water bottles which took 3 days of manufacturing and I picked them up at the shop because it was like 30 minutes from my house lol.

[@Inkwell]

i wish! that sounds so nice!

[@PhiTonics]

Yeah, the coin counterfeiting thing pretty much blew my mind. I make PVC patches and it's the same story, zero US manufacturers, really frustrating honestly.

[@RosaHernandez-uw2ul]

Screen printing shops are still common in the US. There are also a lot of makerspaces in the US. Some people just don't know where to look. It sounds like with enamel pins, the problem is that it's bad for the environment. Sounds like something all countries should bad then.

[@kaikaibee2982]

That's helpful! I would like to buy from our neighbors in Mexico instead of outsourcing all the way to China :)

[@Ms_AP_]

What company did you use to make your pins?

[@digitalartsi]

I just recently started getting into enamel pin collecting and I am obsessed. My one issue is how secretive artists can be about their manufacturers. I've heard many people claim it's because they don't want the quality to drop from too many people using them but I feel that's kinda just an excuse for them to gatekeep. We'll see, as I am getting my own pins manufactured right now. I'm definitely willing to test that theory.

[@wnm-nicole]

Hello friends,I'm Nicole, a pin manufacturer from China. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Please contact me for customized enamel pins. We support small batch trial orders.Thanks.

[@FranFroo]

Thank you so much for this. As a digital artist I've really been trying to think lately about how to monetize my talent in some way, but I have a wonderful cocktail of mental illnesses that makes drawing constantly and doing commissions in a timely manner difficult. Making pin designs and going to conventions to sell them would be easier for me to manage, and I could maybe even sell art prints and 3D prints as well. This may have opened up a great new avenue for me, thank you a ton!

[@Inkwell]

Best of luck to you!

[@chaotika693]

As a fellow digital artist with similar issues and goals I wish you the best of luck:)

[@orangeismyfavoritecolor]

God, I have the same problem! I don’t think I can do enamel pins anytime soon though, so I’ll just have to _cope harder._ (Lol)

[@Galaxxi]

even though I've been making enamel pins for over a year now, I just love watching videos where people talk about it 🥴 it's so fascinating how everybody's got different advice and processes re: grading your pins, I actually wouldn't send b-grade pins back unless they were *super* messed up! there is a huge market for b-grade pins, i actually favor them myself both to save money and because i tend to wear my pins so they might get a little banged around anyway. i've sold lots of B-grade pins and as long as you're up-front with the fact that they might have a small mistake somewhere, people won't complain. I actually have tons of comments that people can't even find the flaws in my B-grades lmao. it can definitely be less of a hassle and broaden your market sometimes just to sell them, as long as it's not a crazy high number of flawed product

[@CampingforCool41]

Totally agree about the b-grade pins. I always seek them out if the seller has them because I can save money and usually the flaws are barely noticeable. I don’t care about my pins being absolutely perfect unless it’s for some special reason.

[@wnm-nicole]

Hello friends,I'm Nicole, a pin manufacturer from China. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Please contact me for customized enamel pins. We support small batch trial orders.Thanks.

[@placefantasy1821]

This is genuinely so helpful to people trying to figure out how to make merch since the answers are seemingly impossible to find online. Please PLEASE keep showing how merchandise like prints, keychains, standees, stickers, etc. this is such an important series to have online

[@KatieLazo]

so informative, thank you!! I've always wanted to try making pins but felt so intimidated. I really appreciate how thorough you were and how generous you were to even share your recomended manufacturers/sources! thanks again!

[@Inkwell]

hope it helps! and best of luck with your pins!

[@wnm-nicole]

Hello friends,I'm Nicole, a pin manufacturer from China. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Please contact me for customized enamel pins. We support small batch trial orders.Thanks.

[@nursingsockpuppet]

I have no clue how I went from watching a true crime video to a video about enamel pins, but you kept me watching. Very interesting process and cool designs. Nice work!

[@gangrenefiend]

I honestly haven't thought much into these alternatives towards selling art as through pins and such. I would love to try this out if I ever get an opportunity to do so!

[@bamsara]

As an freelance artist and a fellow pin collector, I've done plenty of stickers but pins was something I was scared of offering just because the process seemed so complicated to me. You've done a fantastic job explaining the process! Thank you for this video

[@KawaiiStarz]

Thank you for going over the process and sharing your pin collection!

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@wnm-nicole]

Hello friends,I'm Nicole, a pin manufacturer from China. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Please contact me for customized enamel pins. We support small batch trial orders.Thanks.

[@mindsetblocks]

You just became my fav youtube art channel

[@Inkwell]

I am honored 😱

[@ThompsonBrosStudios]

Man I came across this video by chance, I design pins for a company called Fansets. I've been wanting to get into doing this on my own too. Crazy thing is I saw your girl riding the fish and totally recognized who you were from your work posted on deviantart! Huge fan dude, you are genuinely one of my favorite artists on the platform. And now I know you make pins! so exciting!

[@WarayVan]

If I could like this twice I would. And those pins at the end wow. So much talent.

[@magnoliaweathershield443]

Thank you for highlighting concerns with production in China. And for your generosity in sharing your expertise and experience so generously.

[@0ctobuss]

Thank you for your explanations and insights! This video is a godsend for folks breaking into art merchandising, as many others have mentioned.

[@Inkwell]

Happy it helped 😊

[@NotTheRealAutomator]

This is something that I have never considered doing nor will realistically ever end up doing but I just love staring at your hair flip and listening to you tell me about enamel pins. 😵‍💫🥵

[@katto4073]

thank you so much for this!!! I am very interested in making pins but I've always been sooo intimidated by the process

[@k1nser]

This is so so helpful, thank you for all the knowledge! I've been considering starting a pin business recently and already have a few designs but have been lost on where to start on the business side of this like connecting with manufacturers, knowing product quality, reasonable pricing, etc.

[@mrs.quills7061]

This was such an informative process. Do you ever worry or have had issue with manufacturers stealing your designs though? I’ve heard of that happening to some artists. I also appreciate you mentioning the environmental cost of this too, I’ve been looking into wood pins, but I worry they wouldn’t be sold as well as enamel ones. I never knew the reason for them being overseas was because of currency counterfeiting.

[@zeropachame5396]

This was such a great video! Loving all these merch advice, thanks so much for making these :) (And the memes interspersed throughout the video 10/10 xD)

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@freakespionage]

This is SO HELPFUL, thank you!!

[@scarlethawkeye3473]

Yet another solid video! Thanks for sharing! I learned a lot. I fell in love with Nana Williams’s pin! Also, i’ve heard of Alchemy Merch before so maybe i will try them out as a beginner. 😁

[@Inkwell]

happy to help, and best of luck with your future pin makings!

[@braceyoself_]

This video was so fascinating. Thanks for creating this and sharing so much with that degree of transparency.

[@rachloke87]

Love your vibe and how forthright you are! ☺️ I’m not an artist (sadly) or an entrepreneur but I happen to come across your video and thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your processes. Such a breath of fresh air as usually people don’t even talk about their suppliers/manufacturers and stuff! Super informative. Love your artwork and your collection as well. I’m sad that I’m not based in US or anywhere near as I’m based in Asia. Will support you virtually! 🤣 keep up the good work! 💪

[@makinguselessthings]

Thank you for sharing all this info! I have just started getting quotes for pins and it is a bit of a process. So it’s nice to have some tips and tricks!

[@KaiyaAquamarine]

Thank you for this!! I just started selling my artwork as stickers and prints last year and have been considering branching into pins, and didn't know where to start. This has a lot of great information!

[@daisyninja3674]

Thanks for making this. I’ve wanted to get pins made but it can feel daunting going into it for the first time. It’s been really hard finding anything on the manufacturing side which is where I was feeling hung up. So greatly appreciated!

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for watching and best of luck on your future pins!

[@YAMZWorld]

so cool to see! Tahnk you for breaking that down. I love your collection!

[@marzipan_art]

This video is so greatly appreciated. I've only made 2 enamel pins so far, each were from different manufacturers. 1 of them didn't come out right and the other one wasn't a great experience to have made; so I've been researching where other artists were getting theirs made so that I could ensure whatever pin I make next is going to be the quality I strive for. Definitely appreciate seeing your process and I also enjoyed the collection tour at the end. So many beautiful pins out there.

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for watching and best of luck with your next pin!

[@fayyazb]

Thank you for sharing. Very insightful.

[@wherethewatermeetstheshade]

Thank you for mentioning the working behind what we invest our time and money in.

[@ziyanda_theartist]

I can't believe I'm only finding your channel now... I love your Instagram page so much and your pins are breathtaking ❤ Thanx for making this video!!!

[@Inkwell]

Thanks so much for watching! 🙏

[@vonnart]

Another great one Dustin! 💛

[@Inkwell]

😘😘😘

[@AutumnMurder]

great video! lots of very useful information. Appreciate the transparency! Truly a great video with detailed info

[@Inkwell]

thanks so much for watching!

[@Insane2daCore]

Your fashion style is very sharp and refreshingly elegant my good sir 🙂👍🏾 also thank you for making this video 🙏🏾

[@3amAfterlife]

I love pins too! So cool to see the process, thank you

[@kitty-lydiadye9922]

Your pin collection is gorgeous :)

[@iatethecrayons]

you have no idea how much ive needed this video thank you so so much

[@PronounsAreHerMajesty]

Great information. Thank you.

[@KokoroDokis]

As a beginner pin creator, this was very helpful!! I have made one pin design so far and I didn't know about these websites!! Thank you so much!

[@PonderingWhimsy]

This was a very informative video, thank you for sharing!

[@bennettpisek5566]

Hi Dustin, Thank you for these great informative videos. You have a great presentation, and I appreciate your detailed candor.😊

[@KDS3VN]

Thanks , this was very helpful.

[@ashleyeverything588]

Oh wow this video is awesome 👏🏾 so many creative pins . I seen so many I want to get now

[@ATian-ki6kv]

thank you for this video! seeing how people made merch always boggled my mind and this is So helpful! also the posture and poise of your face at one point reminds me of a brian jordan alvarez reel

[@KateColors]

This was pretty neat! Thank you !

[@Recouplet]

Useful information, thank you

[@felipeomeloo]

For this kind of video there should the option to like and favorite multiple times!!! Thank you very much foi this kind of content!

[@nyx.2314]

What a wonderful algorithm recommendation. You just got a new subscriber!

[@Inkwell]

hell yeah! welcome

[@curls22]

As a large advocate for eco-friendly things I never clocked enamel as being a thing that would not be great for the environment but it makes a lot of sense. I really appreciate that bit of knowledge, saddens me but I appreciate it regardless.

[@madamadadane7989]

Thank you 🙏 king of not gatekeeping.

[@ThedGrill]

I love you for this video, thanks man. I really wanted to go into enamel pin design.

[@lionsandtigersstore8814]

Your collection was great!

[@etoilel1109]

Just wanna say this video is super helpful!

[@RaskylC]

i am so enthralled with enamel pins, usually it costs quite a bit so i dont buy them as much as i love to, but i admire them all the same :3

[@WGAJeremy]

Thank you for this very informative video!

[@ajaxajax810]

Awesome video thank you so muchh for all priceless information 😍😍😍🙌🏻✨✨

[@pickleeggs3340]

INTERESTING,thatnks for sharing. cool pins aswell

[@AnnamatopoeiaArt]

As a budding pin collector and an artist myself, this video is amazing! I have it saved so that when I finally make my own pins I have some idea how to start. Is there a reason why you do pass/fail instead of the usual grading system? As someone who is only into pins causally I really like getting that B Grade pin at a lower price, but I would imagine more complicated pins, like the AMAZING fish pin would be something that you wouldn’t want to sell slightly defected. Also I’ve always wondered this but with pins with a gimmick, like being able to open, having moving parts, or things like being glow in the dark, how do you work with a company to get that made? I am very jealous of your pin collection, thanks for the great video!

[@Inkwell]

The pass/fail system is mostly due to time, and storage, having to have separate storage areas for every grade of every design is a bit much, so it’s just easier for me. And I also don’t like defected products being out in the wild. And with more complicated pin processes it just really depends on the manufacturer, I typically still do the art first with whatever process in mind and then just message the manufacturer asking if this or that could work. The more labels you can put on your artwork the easier it will be for your manufacturer to not mess it up and then you 🙏

[@Vi.horrors]

tysm for the vid, ive been interested in making some pins for a while and this vid info was really appreciated

[@Inkwell]

Happy to help!

[@catzrulez910]

Your collection is so goood I love looking at enamel pins at shops, but im always reluctant to buy some as i dont have anywhere to store or display them

[@cfaithp]

This is awesome!

[@annanamoose9943]

I love pins!! San Diego comic con is in a coupe weeks and thats where i usually pick up pins. I will definitely check out your Etsy shop when you're back from your break. and thanks for sharing your collections 🥰

[@Inkwell]

Maybe I'll see you at San Diego, it will be my first time there!

[@annanamoose9943]

​@@Inkwell Yeah!!! I'll be on the lookout for you when the exhibitor list come out. I'm there 4 days so I should have plenty of exploring time. It's a big gathering so I hope you have a great show. I forgot to mention I really like your artwork so I subscribed 👍🏼

[@MissChibiArtist]

Ahh so helpful! Want to make pumpkin pin!

[@inksmears_]

Thank you so much for this! Also, for the more expensive pin, I recommend setting your price to what *you* want to profit first. So, let's say $30. If it doesn't move, then put it on sale for $25-$20. But, make sure customers can see that it was originally $30 (aka, don't change the base price, have it marked down.) People want to get a good deal on things, so it should make the pin more appealing even if it is more expensive than your other pins. You could also offer a defected pin as a freebie or sell those in mystery packs as "B-grade" or whatever grade it would be.

[@DevinElleKurtzArt]

This is a great video!

[@Inkwell]

Ahhhhh thank you Devin! I’m still trying to get comfortable in front of a camera 🤧

[@SimonSozzi7258]

4:02 They changed the direction of your blade before entering the hilt. I think they fixed it so it faces downward.

[@n3kkidninj4]

Wow! that's a great catch by both the company and you.

[@alinegarcia9807]

This was really helpful! Thank you so much for sharing all this information

[@Inkwell]

Any time, thanks for watching!

[@mikk4]

YES, DO MORE VIDEOS

[@Inkwell]

I will do my best! Thanks for watching

[@TomoyoTatar]

Interesting!!! ❤

[@JuliaFrost]

very helpful video, than you!

[@PeacefulSeraph]

The vector part really helped me, I always found illustrator intimidating... it's like the excel to my word (Microsoft) where my brain struggles to compute, haha

[@miale4462]

thanks was so helpful!!!

[@Inkwell]

Happy to hear!

[@felipeluna6583]

Hell yeah!

[@Daemonpool65]

The beat didn’t have to be so fire at the My Collection chapter gdm!

[@bazomic]

Hope to see you at Dragon-Con again this year!

[@alexsudati]

I liked, subscribed, saved to a playlist AND now I'm commenting. Honestly I applaud and appreciate you for the honesty and transparency, showing the price and all (just a tip, next time hide your e-mail, people are weird here in the interwebs). Anyway, tysm love your hair bye

[@Inkwell]

Thanks so much! The weird emails just end up being content for later 😈

[@v4l324]

Muchas gracias. Muy útil.

[@laughandbelly]

anatomy lesson -------> yes please!!

[@ladysumner2907]

Wow you have soo many pins. I collect as well, I noticed you have some RossDraws pins! I have some too, def some of my fav ones.

[@Inkwell]

they are very good! I love them!

[@lilyl.6715]

I love your art and have some of your prints! this video was on my recommended page and it wasn’t until halfway through that I realized who u were oops

[@Inkwell]

lol thanks for watching!

[@ViktorErikFade]

I'm getting used to how much pins are price wise as a consumer and possible future seller of them It would be insanely awesome to me to be able to design something and have a notable mascot enamel pin with me at the very least . This was fairly easy to follow and didn't muddy the intent like other informational videos that clog it with to much detail

[@kupotenshi]

I didn't know there was a way to make the enamel pin not as shiny! I never enjoyed how enamel pins look drastically different based on how the light bounces off it, especially in delicate details like a face, having more of a matte finish would be ideal.

[@Runzi333]

Clip studio has fantastic tools for creating vector art for this style of work but has a bit of a learning curve. Much nicer than illustrator for folks used to drawing with a tablet imo!

[@DreadgateTCG]

I totally agree on illustrator. I hate using it if i don't have to.

[@tatianaquigley7534]

Thank you convention sensei

[@Inkwell]

Ahhhhh idk about that but thank you!

[@BraveLittlePixel]

Feel like I entered a whole new work watching this video, I can't even imagine people spending this much or getting so particular about art pin badges.

[@tidalboxer]

Your head movements are serving “I’m a snek… I’m a slithery lil sneeek” energy. 😂😂😂

[@harry486]

Can they supply them on the backing board or do you have to do that separately from your local print shop...?

[@stephh_606]

Thanks so much for this! It's really helpful to see the price breakdown. Do the prices include shipping, or do you have to pay more on top of everything you've shown for shipping?

[@Inkwell]

This includes shipping, but depends on the place you go though

[@outtadate]

Im curious, cant seem to find info anywhere. Can they make them the other way around, meaning the enamel colour would be the outline of the design instead of the inside?

[@TheFiown]

I love your pin set but it's sold out are you going to make more ?

[@Inkwell]

They should be restocked by the end of summer 😊

[@zy2239]

Awesome video ! Could you do one about T-shirt and apparel manufacturing for cons ? Thanks a lot ❤❤❤

[@Inkwell]

It’s on the list!

[@zy2239]

@@Inkwell Superb , thanks a lot ! Your videos are a big help ☺️

[@thenekobean]

I got one of Vonnart's pins from last year's Drawtober rewards, and couldn't find who made it - now I know!! 🙃 (moar videos pls) (they good)

[@Inkwell]

Ahhh happy to help! and thanks for watching!

[@karabismarck9342]

Very interesting and educational. One question: some pins had logomark on reverse. How is this indicated on the design and how much does it add to cost? Do you use this on your designs, and why or why not? Great job!

[@Inkwell]

Good question So you can put almost anything on the back, you would just send it to your manufacturer as a separate file typically,I know GDS charges you for the first time you get the logo done as a mold/stamp has to be made for that too but as long as it’s simple they don’t charge after that and will just keep putting your logo on all your designs no extra cost, I think most other manufacturers will charge a little extra per pin but it’s normal not a lot extra. As someone who also collects pins it’s great reminder for who designed the pin, I have a bunch of pins with no logos and for the life of me I can’t remember who made them and that always sucks specially when I might want to pick up another one.

[@mapotofu9830]

You mention that there may be inconsistencies between batches, do you retake photos or describe this in your online listing descriptions? That happens to me too so I'm wondering if I should note it in my listings or if buyers generally don't care

[@annb5378]

How do you how much product to bring to a convention? Would love a breakdown video on that.