Carrd template by asuraidart

How can I make my enamel pins more Unique?

Other Customisation

QUICKSAND
I am unable to find a clear description from a manufacturer or website that explains the process of making quicksand shakers, so I'm going off of research from several different manu websites.
Quicksand pins utilise an insert which holds the pin according to one manu, so I assume it could be an acrylic insert. These inserts can hold a variety of different types of confetti, glitter, and dyed liquids, or even a mix of all three.
Another thing to note is you can likely get all of these methods done in a wide range of colour, but do keep in mind that you can only get what your manu is able to grab or has on hand/available for use.
Please do reach out if you're able to give me a more clear explanation!
Image source: Sophie Scruggs

DYED METAL
"The Color Dyed Plating option allows for any PMS color to be used for the metal plating of your lapel pins. This process can only be used with soft enamel lapel pins because of the raised and lowered metal process or stamping process used to create the custom pins."
But this pin doesn't look just like a normal soft enamel pin does it? That's because artist have utilised the single coloured metals and screen printing to give pins a softer, smoother, cuter look to them!
Explanation source: ThePinPeople
Image source: Jane Gumball

TURNER PIN
These are a bit less common then spinner pins, but it's still a widely used customisation to add an interaction factor to a pin. There dosen't seem to be a limit (within reason of course.) of how many turning conponments you can add to these. I also see that double sided enamel peices are made for the turner peices to add to the uniqueness, and most likely still being able to customise the smaller pieces with unique paints/printing.
I am unable to find a source that clearly explains the workings of the turning pieces, so please fling me a message if you know anything about them.
Image source: Youtooz

CHAINS
Chains can be used to link enamel pins pretty easily, as when creating the mould, manufacturers can easily add hollow circles onto the outer area of a pin. This allows the chain itself to connect to the pin, which can be used in a variety of ways.
For example with this pin, its used to link Lunas Chariot to her guards. While in other cases I've seen chains used just on a singular pin as a decoration.
Image source: Sophie Scruggs

LENTICULAR
I've only ever seen these pins being made by SharkRobot, and only with merchendise to do with Vivziepops shows, so the method seems to originate from SharkRobot themselves. I believe its a simular way of having an insert in a multi-layered pin, like how quicksand pins have. Using a print instead of a liquid, its likely layed with a protective layer or printed on a strong material, then inserted at the bottom of the pin during the process of placing the layers together.
(This may not be accurate information, as this is just going off of theories and what little knowledge I have)
Image source: SharkRobot, Vivziepops Shop

HINGES
Hinged pins require two (or more depending on the pin) different moulds to make, both of which needing one of two parts of a hinging mechanism.
"A hinge has two plates called 'leaves' made of metal or another sturdy material. These leaves are joined in the middle by a pin that runs through the curved ends known as the knuckles. The pin joins the knuckles together in a line and it acts as the pivot point (a point around which something turns)."
In this case, the plates/leaves are the custom enamel image/pin.
Information source: BBC.co.uk
Image source: ThePugnaciousPins

LAYERED/PIN ON PIN
Layered pins require several molds upping the cost by alot, espeically if you have 3+ layers on the pin and added techniques like Stained Glass enamel. This tecnique is good for adding a nice 3D element to a pin, making the look more appealing and allowing parts of the pin you want to stand out, to stand out.
I am unsure how they get the layers to stick together, it could be anything considering enamel pins are partially made of metal. Like welding (unlikely).
Image source: Yobuttapins

SPINNING PINS
Spinning pins are a multi-layered pin, often having a connecting pole in the middle that allows the spinning component to work.
While the spinning conponement doesn't have to be dead centred, the pin does have to have atleast 2 or more layers to successfully work. It is impossible to make a 1 layered spinning pin. This once again, also means that the cost of the pin being made would raise up, as in this pins case, it would require three entirely different moulds.
Image source: TheGrayMuse

BOBBLE
"Bobble Head pins incorporate a special mechanism where a part of the pin—usually a head, limbs, or other iconic symbols—is attached with a small spring. This allows the component to move independently from the rest of the pin, adding a lively and dynamic appearance."
I have seen people use this with character heads, ears, tails, wings, etc. Its a method that allows for alot of creative input!
Information source: HIPins
Image source: galeorb

TRINKET SHAKER
I've only seen Youtooz make this kind of pin so far, but I believe it would work in a similar fashion to acrylic shaker charms. The pin is definitely a multi-layered pin, but I believe the top layer is made by using see-through enamel paint, letting it dry, and then putting the whole pin together. The trinkets inside would be made from enamel and metal like the pin too, but made to be thin and small, so the trinkets can move around inside.
It should also be noted that the see-through enamel does have a printed face on this product.
Image source: Youtooz

MAGNETIC
Magnetic pins, these are another type of interactive pin that allows people to move certain segments around and even take them off of the main enamel pin itself, another method I've seen Youtooz mainly use yet seems to be more common than the trinket shaker enamel pins when it comes to Etsy sellers.
The pin itself likely has a magnetic insert or uses a magnetic metal, but I am not entirely sure.
Image source: PaolasPixels

SLIDER
A 2+ piece interactive enamel pin, the moving part of the pin likely says in place by having a larger part after the smaller middle piece that works as the slider. Do send me a message if this description is wrong. I've seen a variety of use with this method of pin, some being pronoun sliders, others being mood sliders to show what mood someone was in.
Image source: LBRCloudStore

BACKSTAMPS
Backstamps are a commonly used method of artist to sign off an enamel pin as theirs, the most common form of this is a logo or signature being pressed into the back of a pin. These also help buyers remember where or who they got the pin from, so they can know who the artist is or what their shop name is next time they want to buy something.
Image source: PrinceFizz