My BIGGEST Mistakes as an Enamel Pin Business for Beginners in 2024 (What I Wish I Knew!)

[@VictoriousGlory]

thanks for going over your mistakes, I know some artists like to pretend they haven't gone through things like that so appreciate you being honest about your experiences

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you enjoyed this video!

[@evkey1150]

Team Keep the Backing (if the design is memorable!) Thank you for sharing! As fellow pin maker, I've absolutely made these mistakes too. My worst mistake tho has to be not doing more manufacture research when I first started. I kinda just went with whatever manu other makers suggested and got some... lackluster results. PLEASE do your research on your manus, I've wasted sooo much money my first yr because of this. And once you do some research, please don't feel married to one manu! You never know if a manu with excellent timelines and better quality is out there if you only stick to one manu. 😊

[@Mualcaina]

Totally agree!! Sometimes manu suggestions are helpful, but one manu that works for someone else may not work for you 😅 glad you found this helpful!

[@elibroussard8810]

As an active pin collector with over 1500 pins I and team toss. I tried keeping the card backs but the storage was insane. i still keep them for expensive pins ($50+) but as most pins fall under the $20 range I don't bother. I am curious how best to research manu's? I see most people get tight lipped about theirs and don't understand why.

[@YaRememberTHISQuestionmark]

How do you navigate the legalese selling fan-art pins? And have you received any C&D?

[@amikireicraftstore]

I'm researching on manufacturers to get my first enamel pin designs made and I'm really scared of messing up so I haven't decided on one, same with my keychains... Ugh, it's taking so long because of my indecision and now out of nowhere this video popped up, hahahah, I'll keep every tip you gave into account ♡

[@lildee_w6254]

Did you end up deciding? 😅

[@Betty-Siebel]

Hi dear,do you need a pin manufacturer from China?Look forward to working with u!

[@ThePigeonmilk]

My card backings are a part of my pin so definitely team keep.

[@NathanHarrison7]

Thank you so much for sharing your years of experience with us. Love your beautiful designs too. Subscribed.

[@rth3]

Do you have an example of how you’d do a pre-sale? I am about to order my first set of pins. Would love to set up a pre-sale while the pins are in production… but how to advertise a product I don’t have yet? Do you just display the artwork?

[@michaelamadeit]

I keep the backing cause I love seeing the variations! Just learning now about best practices for pin making but definitely doing your research, ask other makers who make pins who they recommend (although I’ve run into gatekeeping from some makers🥺, so ask from a maker you trust and have a good relationship with vs. out of the blue), and try out different manufacturers as mentioned! Thanks for the great video Maci! ❤

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad you found this video helpful!

[@olivermontesflores3703]

Hello! I’m super grateful with these advices, they help me a lot! Thank you 😊

[@Mualcaina]

Glad this was helpful for you!

[@GothicAngeles]

You're channel is an absolute life saver! 🙏🙏 I plan to start selling at conventions next year and this channel has made me feel more confident and how to manage my time my deadlines on my projects and what I need by then! I have a question if it's possible, would you ever be able to make a video on how to make or sell stickers? Also will you ever one day make a video on how to make an art site? Thank you!

[@Mualcaina]

Working on a sticker video rn!

[@GothicAngeles]

I can't wait!!

[@Betty-Siebel]

hi,we're a professional custom pin manufacturer from China,if you have any need,please feel free to message us.

[@xdani_thethinkingneko]

Dyed metal is favorite! I’d love to see some dyed metal pins from you :)

[@eccentricPlays]

hi! so i’ve been absolutely binging the heck out of all your videos and it’s really inspired me to start something with my art! i love how informative and efficient your videos are at presenting information that i typically dont see in videos about selling merch. im looking forward to more videos in the future! on the other hand i think i remember a discord group being mentioned in one of the videos and i couldnt find it again ^^” can someone point me in the right direction?

[@jacobbrown4896]

Hello! I’m looking to start a small business like this how do you deal with the trademark for anime type merch?

[@brookegreen8028]

Do you have any recommendations on manufacturers that also deal with shipping? I'm trying to get my pins setup on my Shopify site and I really don't want to have to get them shipped to me to deal with D:

[@ms10089]

wooo cant wait! :D 🎉

[@Mualcaina]

🥰🙌🏼

[@madsniperD]

Do you have to deal with the customs clearance paperwork on orders like this? I can't find any clear answer on this online.

[@肖兰]

You can contact me

[@yesenia521]

Team Keep backing card!

[@CaityRaindrop]

I keep the backings they seem too pretty and I always wonder what if I want to put it back in it 😅

[@1985cactus]

What backing cards is she using now? For 6 cents?

[@loneshew0lf]

Just an honest question no judgement: aren't anime/show characters copyrighted? I wonder if artists can be sued for making designs off preexisting franchises.

[@Mualcaina]

Yes they are, and they can be

[@loneshew0lf]

@Mualcaina then what about your Naruto and Demon Slayer pins tho🤔

[@Mualcaina]

@@loneshew0lf It's up to the IP holder. It's the same case for any fanart, not just anime. Anyone who makes fanart (not just myself), is subject to the same risk since the intellectual property is not ours.

[@mesosuop8037]

Do you ever worry about copyright infringement?

[@pat4005]

It's not fanart anymore, once you manufacture multiples of it, and sell it.

[@reneruben5753]

Why not get the best selling pin and make variants in metal colors, at least a pre-order to see if it works and you can start the idea of want to start a collection from you the artist. Love the video great information!!!! ❤👍🏽

[@Mualcaina]

Thanks for the suggestion! I may do that for new and more detailed, bigger pins, but for my standard pins, I’ll probably stick to gold to keep it streamlined

[@slashbat2375]

I'll only throw out plain cards, which is why I think plain cards are better. Because I don't need to hoard more stuff, so even the quality of the backing cards doesn't matter, as long as the pin is good lol

[@MatilynMcKinney]

Do you have to have a successful tiktok before you start selling pins? Or can you start selling products and growing your tiktok at the same time? I want to get into selling enamel pins but the initial investment is scary when Im also starting a brand new tiktok. Does print on demand work best for people starting out?

[@肖兰]

If you have a successful tiktok , that is wonderful. If not is also fine

[@tiffmercer4306]

Is selling pins your only source of income? I’ve thought about designing and selling pins but just keen wondering if it’s worth my time.

[@Betty-Siebel]

Hi dear,Are you designing badges now,do you need a pin manufacturer from China?Look forward to working with u!

[@sebastian3004]

What do you think about just buying cute ones that's already made in bulk from alibaba and selling it?? It's like you have online retail store rather than a designer.

[@Mualcaina]

Some people do that, however I prefer to sell my own designs on products