Anyone had pins made?

[Juliah]

My DD and DH have a small business designing t-shirts, and they are thinking about designing some pins, too (not Disney themed). Just wondered if anyone here has had pins made and could recommend either specific companies or what to look for in picking a company to manufacture their pins. They would like the quality of the pins to be as good as the quality of the WDW pins.

Any tips?

Thanks!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

I've designed a few pins and used several different manufacturers and different types of pins. I've had good luck and bad with a couple of manufacturers. You can PM or email me and I'd be happy to give you some recommendations.

Jeff

 

[Figgy]

I have had several pins made by different manufacturers and I can give the name of a great pin company. Feel free to email me and you can even check out the pins I have had made at www.pinpics.com by searching Disney Pins. origin Unauthorized Search words PinPics.com Here are a few of the ones we have had made.

#20800
#26024

figgy

 

[taekwondo mom]

I ordered some pins for our softball team.. Great customer service..

http://www.pinsbymagic.com/index.html

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

We also collect Odyssey of the Mind pins - they are traded at the annual World Finals event. Our teams have designed pins to bring as traders in the past.

It's hard - you have to be very specific, know the specific kind of pin you want, and be very clear about colors! Different companies will interpret artwork very differently, and lead times will vary. So will prices! Don't be afraid to comparison shop - most of the companies I found on the net were great about matching other prices, or even besting them.

All in all, a great experience, and helps you understand the quality of WDW pins that much more!

Have fun!

 

[Juliah]

Thanks to everyone for the information!

Mrs. Potato Head, it seems like most of the pins at WDW are the kind with a gold outline around the figures. Do you know what that is called? Did you have to specify a certain weight for the pins you designed? I'd like them to feel substantial like the WDW pins. How did you have the most luck getting the colors you wanted? Did you use the pantone system to get specific colors?

Thanks again!

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

Thanks to everyone for the information!

Mrs. Potato Head, it seems like most of the pins at WDW are the kind with a gold outline around the figures. Do you know what that is called? Did you have to specify a certain weight for the pins you designed? I'd like them to feel substantial like the WDW pins. How did you have the most luck getting the colors you wanted? Did you use the pantone system to get specific colors?

Thanks again!

We went with Iron Soft Enamal...they are not the same quality of WDW pins, by any means. WDW pins are much more expensive to have made.

As for colors, I went back and forth with the art dept at the pin company until it looked good. Some companies will even send you a prototype pin, but not all by any means. The ones that do usually have higher costs for the end result pins.

Pantone is the recommended system - but getting the color chart is expensive. I used Photoshop and Publisher and got as close as I could with desired colors...then went from there.

And remember, the more colors in your pin, the more expensive unless you are going with a decal graphic that is just put under an epoxy coating.

 

[Parkhopper_Vince]

Sounds like you will have a number of good sources of information to choose from. If you are interested in even more information I will be happy to add my 2 cents. I have had quite a few pins made over the years. Pinpics numbers for some of the pins I have had made: 9054, 10658, 10910, 10911, 10912, 10913, 10914, 10915, 10973, 11792, 11793, 12488, 13013, 13014, 17358, 17467, 17487, 17559, 21381, 21383, 26666, 26667, 26668, 27239, 34646, 34582, 34596, 38363, 42631, 42632, 42633, 42634

 

[Juliah]

Mrs. Potato Head,

Thanks for the details and the company name!

Parkhopper Vince,

Loved your pins on pinpics. Please do share your favorite company and anything else you think might help.