For event planners, club organizers and nonprofit coordinators, custom pins aren’t just about the metal and enamel; they’re also an effective promotional item that builds community, commemorates accomplishments and drives fundraising. Whether it’s creating a pin to honor a gala or creating membership-by-numbers tokens for your club, or creating a sold item to sell for your next fundraising campaign, taking steps to learn what factors affect the price of custom pins is the first step to getting your dream project funded without breaking the bank. While making your order of 100 or more, this quick primer will help keep track of the costs and make smart decisions so your final product looks good and costs a fraction of the cost.
Understanding the Core Cost Components
Custom pin pricing is primarily driven by order quantity, with the cost per unit decreasing significantly as you order more pieces. The actual price you’ll pay for your custom pins doesn’t really have one number, it is actually a sum of a bunch of factors, both the cost of the tooling (or mold) to make the custom dies that will turn your design into metal and the cost of production (or per piece) to make each pin. The tooling fee is a one-time charge to make the custom dies to turn your design into metal, so it’s a “fixed” cost, which means that it never changes, whatever number of pins you order is more than 5, 000. The production cost is the cost of actually making each pin, which gets cheaper per unit as you order more pins.
The Impact of Order Quantity on Price
Quantity is the single biggest lever you can pull to control your per-pin cost. Manufacturers like PinProsPlus offer significant bulk discounts. Purchasing 500 pins will cost way less per pin than buying 100 as it’ll cost much less to spread out the fixed tooling fee over more units. Generally for larger events/continuous fundraising it will be cheaper to purchase a larger quantity upfront. Be careful with your estimates though since even a tiny investment up front can have a big impact on your return on investment (and especially with selling the pins).
How Design Complexity Shapes Your Quote
Any design that is simple and clean (large open areas) will be cheaper than a very detailed illustration. This is because the complexity also impacts the price: it requires more precise and expensive tooling, more work to hand set individual enamel colors individually and more time for the artisans to apply each color individually. If your budget is tight, maybe you should simplify your design. A simple design with few colors and much less tiny details or text can be a lot cheaper while still producing an extremely functional and attractive pin.
Choosing the Right Pin Size and Shape
The physical size of your pin indirectly affects the cost of material. Larger pins use more metal and/or enamel so the price is higher. The shape also affects the price. A standard shape such as a circle, square or oval usually costs the least. Custom shapes ( which are sometimes called ” die struck ” ) encircling a specific logo or character requires more complex tooling and as such produce more waste of metal during manufacture which impacts the price as well.
Selecting Finishes and Plating Options
Also, if you’re choosing a metal finish for the lines and backing of your pin, it adds another layer of cost. Simply iron alloy with an antique or gloss finish is common and inexpensive. On the other hand, going with a more premium plating like gold, silver, or nickel can be very expensive but it will be quite the difference in feeling and appearance. Hard enamel can be used to give you a truly premium look, because it’s more polished, flat, and has a glossy finish, as opposed to soft enamel where the colors are slightly offset; it’s also classic and slightly cheaper.
The Role of Attachment Styles
Determining how your pin will be worn carries some cost as well. The most common and inexpensive way to attach a pin comes in the form of a rubber clutch, although if you really want it to look nice and not look like a penny, investing in a butterfly clutch in metal is a minor upgrade. On ribbons or lanyards, a jeweler’s clutch, or safety pin clasp is sometimes preferable. Attaching a larger pin or longer than most would usually require a superior backing (such as military style pin-stem and safety clasp) and would carry some additional cost.
Additional Features and Their Costs
Beyond the basics, there are several additional things you can add that will make your pin unique but will raise your price point. Offset printing can add photorealistic details or gradients that can’t be done with enamel. Spinners can create a moving part like in crafts. Danglers can have a dangling piece that is separate. Sequins or glitter mixed with the enamel can create sparkles. All of these add ons require additional steps, materials, and labor that will set you back more money than you wish if you can afford it.
Budgeting for Your Pin Project
When asking for a quote you should include the quantity you are looking for, a final design and ideas for size, colors and attachments. Many good companies will give you a free quote along with expert advice on how best to match your vision with your budget. Be sure to include the per pin price as well, not just the per pin pricing. You ‘ll also want to include the one time tooling fee and any shipping so you are totally aware of what kind of investment your project will make.
Conclusion
Customizing pins for your fundraiser/event is a great way to raise money for your organization or fund a product awareness campaign or just promote yourself! You want to know what determines the price of something you are selling / in a product category. Things like quantity, design, size and other factors all play into the pricing to give you the best value for your money. A personalized product is anything that gets a reaction from people who have interest in your brand and/or does something for your organization. Using careful planning and a manufacturing partner you trust, you can turn an idea into a tangible representation of your community’s spirit to ensure your pins are worn, treasured, and displayed consistently.