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In most cases, regular custom enamel pin production takes about 15 days. The exact timeline can vary depending on the quantity, size, design details, and the type of finish or process your pins need.
So why does it take that long? Enamel pins are not simply printed and done. They go through a full production process, including design confirmation, artwork preparation, mold making, metal stamping, polishing, plating, enamel coloring, baking, quality checking, packaging, and shipping.
Each step takes time, especially mold making, plating, coloring, and baking. For example, the enamel colors need to be filled in carefully, layer by layer, then baked and checked. If these steps are rushed, it can affect the final look of the pin.
In this article, we’ll break down the production time from a manufacturer’s point of view, so you can better understand how long each step usually takes and whether your deadline is realistic for your custom pin order.
Breaking Down the Custom Enamel Pin Production Timeline
Artwork Time
After you send us your design, logo, or idea, we’ll create the production artwork based on your requirements. For a simple design, the artwork can usually be finished within 1 day, or about 24 hours. If the design is more detailed or complicated, it may take around 2 days, or about 48 hours.
The best way to save time is to send us the clearest version of your original artwork. You don’t need to be a professional designer. Just send us the clearest logo, design elements, or reference images you want to use for your pin.
If the image is blurry or some details are hard to see, our designer will need more time to check and confirm the details. It can also lead to more back-and-forth revisions later. So the clearer the files you provide at the beginning, the faster the artwork approval process usually goes.
Enamel Pin Mold Making Time
After the artwork is approved, the first step in production is making the mold. In most cases, mold making takes about 2 days.
During this step, we use professional equipment to make the mold based on the approved production artwork. The lines, shape, and small details of the pin need to be transferred into the mold as accurately as possible. This step is important because the mold directly affects how the metal pin base will come out later.
The mold-making time can be shortened, but rush service usually comes with an extra fee. Since factory production is normally arranged based on the order schedule, moving one order ahead means we need to adjust the equipment, labor, and production time. That is why there may be an additional rush cost.
Stamping the Metal Blanks
Once the mold is finished, the next step is stamping the pin blanks. Based on the material, size, and production details in your order, we will stamp the metal into the basic shape of the pin.
This step is mainly done by machine. For a regular order of 1,000 pcs or less, stamping the pin blanks usually takes about 2–3 days.
If your deadline is tight, rush service may be available. However, it usually comes with an extra fee, because the factory needs to adjust the equipment, labor, and production schedule to move your order ahead in the production line.
Polishing and Plating Time
After the pin blanks are stamped from the mold, the surface and edges usually still have some small imperfections. That is why the pins need to be polished first. Polishing helps smooth out the metal surface and also makes the plating look cleaner later.
Once polishing is finished, the pins move on to plating. Based on your order, the pins can be plated in different metal finishes, such as gold, silver, black nickel, antique brass, antique silver, and more.
For standard plating colors, polishing and plating usually take about 3 days in total. Polishing normally takes around 1 day, and plating takes about 2 days.
If your order is on a tight deadline, we usually do not recommend choosing a very complicated plating option. For example, dual plating requires two separate plating steps, so it takes more time and can affect the overall production schedule.
Enamel Coloring and Baking Time
Enamel coloring usually depends on whether you choose soft enamel or hard enamel. These two processes are colored in different ways, so the production time can also be different.
For soft enamel pins, the coloring process is usually faster because many designs can now be filled by machine. For a regular order of around 1,000 pcs, enamel coloring usually takes about 2 days.
Hard enamel pins usually take longer because the colors are often filled more carefully, and the pins also need extra polishing to make the enamel and metal lines feel smooth and even. This process takes more time than soft enamel.
After the colors are filled, the pins need to be baked so the enamel can set properly and become more stable. The baking itself usually only takes a few hours, but the exact timing can still depend on the order quantity and the production schedule.
If your order is on a tight deadline, soft enamel is usually the better choice. In some cases, UV printing can also be used to replace part of the enamel coloring, which can help save some production time and make the overall timeline easier to control.
Quality Check and Packaging
Quality check and packaging are usually done in the same step. Once the pins pass inspection, they will be packed and prepared for shipping.
This step usually takes about 1 day. If the order quantity is small, it may only take a few hours. If the quantity is larger, or if you choose special packaging like backing cards, gift boxes, or velvet pouches, it may take a little more time.
Shipping Time
Shipping time depends on the destination and the shipping method. At VeperPins, most orders are shipped by air by default, using carriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, or TNT.
For rush orders, we usually choose DHL first because the delivery time is more stable. Shipping to the United States usually takes about 3–8 days.
If your order quantity is large or the products are heavy, air shipping can be expensive. In that case, sea shipping may be a better option, but it takes much longer. Sea shipping usually takes at least 60 days, so it is better for large orders that are not time-sensitive.
- Fastest total time: About 15 days from artwork preparation to delivery.
- Production time: Around 11 days, including artwork, mold making, stamping, plating, coloring, quality check, and packaging.
- Shipping time: About 4 days by air shipping to the United States.
- Timeline may change: The final time depends on the design, quantity, plating, packaging, and how quickly the artwork is approved.
Fast Turnaround Custom Enamel Pins for Rush Orders
Based on the full enamel pin production process, if you need a fast turnaround, there is usually an extra rush fee. This is because the factory needs to adjust the production schedule, equipment, and labor to move your order ahead as much as possible.
However, not every step can be shortened just by paying a rush fee. For example, plating and baking both have their own required process time. These steps cannot be rushed too much, otherwise they may affect the final quality of the pins.
So if you need to rush your custom enamel pin order, we recommend planning your project ahead of time instead of relying only on rush service. For example, starting the artwork, design confirmation, and order details 2–3 weeks in advance is usually much more reliable. It also helps keep both the quality and delivery time under better control.
Why Many Enamel Pin Suppliers Take Over 20 Days
This is very normal, because enamel pins are custom-made products. If any step in the production process needs adjustment or re-confirmation, the overall timeline may be extended.
That is why many suppliers usually quote around 22 days for production. It gives the order some extra buffer time and helps make sure the final pins meet the customer’s expectations.
But please don’t worry. If you choose VeperPins, we will do our best to coordinate and speed up the production process while still keeping the quality under control. We will also try our best to complete production and delivery before your event starts.
Ready to Start Your Custom Pins?
Have a logo, sketch, or design idea? Send it to us, and we’ll help you check the details, choose the right process, and provide a clear quote. Whether you need regular production or a faster turnaround, VeperPins can help you plan the best timeline for your custom enamel pins.
