step 0:

own enamel pins

How can you make good pins if you don't know what you're looking for in a manufacturer? It's important to know what good vs bad quality pins look like. Questions you should know your personal answers for inlcude:

which metal platings you prefer?
which designs work as pins?
Which backings do you like best?
Do you like hard vs soft enamel pins?

step 1:

find a manufacturer

Alibaba is a website that connects individuals to manufacturing companies.
Message sellers and ask for pictures of the pins then product. Make sure that the quality is what you're looking for and check reviews!

step 2:

make your art

Your should preferably create your art in a vector art program to make it easier for the manufacturer.
Try to avoid small cutouts like the design on the right. This was an initial draft that I had to edit later to make the final design work.
familiarizing with the die molding process of enamel pins will help understand the limitations you face

step 3:

check your proofs

The little red star in the middle of the design means that a cutout will be there. Otherwise it would mean it would be filled with white enamel
The colors on the bottom are pantone colors. Make sure you have some form of pantone color book in person as colors on a computer screen can vary from what the colors look like in person
make sure to triple check proofs. once you approve them, you can't change things and you will get what you approve

step 4:

grade your pins

This step means that you have finally gotten your pins, congratulations! Things to look out for when inspecting your new pins are:
  • making sure that your pins match your proof. if it doesn't, reach out to your manufacturer
  • scratches or bubbles in the enamel
  • enamel filling having gaps or not being properly filled completely