The Complete Guide to Custom Pin Materials

November 23, 2025

7 Popular Materials for Custom Pins (Pros, Cons, and Best Uses)

Choosing the right material is one of the most important steps when making custom pins. Each option—iron, brass, zinc alloy, stainless steel, PVC, acrylic, tinplate, and wood—offers different advantages in terms of durability, weight, cost, and design flexibility.

Metal materials are ideal for high-quality enamel pins and corporate badges, while non-metal materials are perfect for creative, lightweight, or budget-friendly projects.

Why Material Matters When Making Custom Pins

Custom enamel pins with custom text worn by professionals in an office setting, showcasing accessories on clothing and backpacks.

The material you choose affects the cost, weight, durability, and color performance of your custom pins. Before starting production, the first decision is choosing between metal and non-metal materials.

Metal Materials for Custom Pins

Metal materials are ideal for high-quality, durable, and premium pins.

Iron Lapel Pins

Custom soft enamel lapel pin with gold lion emblem, multicolor border, and custom text.

Pros: Cost-effective, suitable for plating, great for most designs.

Cons: Size limitations (usually under 2 inches), not ideal for complex cutouts.

Best Uses: Companies, organizations, clubs, gyms, training centers, cafes.

Copper / Brass Pins

Custom hard enamel pins with circular gold tone center featuring tiger design and custom text, surrounded by multicolor wheel showcasing available enamel colors.

Pros: Premium texture, smooth finish, excellent for high-end enamel pins.

Cons: Higher cost, size limitations similar to iron.

Best Uses: Commemorative pins, collectible pins, government pins.

Zinc Alloy Pins

Three custom 3D metal pins with skull, dragon, and caduceus designs in bronze, gold, and silver, featuring custom text

Pros: Works well for large designs, moderate cost, supports complex shapes, excellent plating options.

Cons: Die-casting process may create burrs that require manual polishing.

Best Uses: Sports trading pins, artistic designer pins. 3d pins.

Custom pins in a sports event scene, with a woman selecting a round pin from a red box and a crowd

Stainless Steel Pins

Custom printed round enamel pin with gold border and custom text featuring outdoor camping scene

Pros: Smooth surface, long-lasting, ideal for printed pins, fast production.

Cons: Cannot be plated; only gold and silver colors.

Best Uses: Small clubs, hiking pins, colorful print designs that cannot use enamel.

Non-Metal Materials for Custom Pins

When exploring custom pins beyond traditional metal options, non-metal materials offer a surprising level of flexibility, creativity, and cost-efficiency. These materials—such as PVC pins, Acrylic Pins, Tinplate / Button Pins, Wooden Pins—allow brands and organizations to achieve unique textures and visual effects that metal simply cannot replicate.

Soft PVC Pins

Three custom PVC pins with cute designs in pink, blue, and orange featuring cartoon, puzzle, and octopus shapes

Pros: Lightweight, vibrant colors.

Cons: Must ensure material safety and reputable supplier.

Best Uses: Cartoon-style pins, school events, giveaways.

Acrylic Pins

Custom acrylic pin in green with custom text

Pros: Lightweight, low-cost, freely cut into any shape.

Cons: Scratches easily.

Best Uses: Anime merch, fast-selling retail goods.

Tinplate / Button Pins

Pros: Light, cheap, standard size and shape.

Cons: Thin material, not suitable for premium use.

Best Uses: Low-budget events and promotions.

Wooden Pins

Pros: Lightweight, eco-friendly, natural texture.

Cons: Not suitable for detailed designs.

Best Uses: Environmental events and eco-themed branding.

Custom enamel pins promoting sustainability with a woman holding a globe and recycling symbol against green background for CSR initiatives.

Material Comparison Table

Material	Texture	Weight	Cost	Design
Metal	Premium texture	Heavier	Higher cost	Supports complex cutting
Non-metal	Lighter texture		Low cost	Limited design flexibility

Which Material Should You Choose?

✔️Best for tight budgets: Iron, PVC, Tinplate

✔️Best for artistic designs: Zinc Alloy, Acrylic

✔️Most durable: Stainless Steel, Brass

✔️Best for sports teams: Zinc Alloy

✔️Best for corporate uniforms: Brass, Iron Hard Enamel

Custom enamel pins with custom text on a tote bag and backpack in an indoor setting.

FAQ

What is the best material for enamel pins?

Choose iron for simple shapes and zinc alloy for complex cutouts.

What is the cheapest material for custom pins?

Tinplate is the cheapest; wooden pins are also affordable.

What material is best for 3D pins?

Zinc alloy, due to its die-casting process.

What material is best for low-cost printed pins?

Acrylic pins. If metal is required, choose rush-series iron pins (pre-made molds).

Conclusion

Before starting your order, think about how your custom pins will be used:

Do you need a premium look for uniforms or awards?
Do you need a lightweight option for giveaways or events?
Does your design require complex shapes or 3D effects?

By understanding the strengths and limitations of each material, you can choose the option that best matches your design and budget.

If you’re still unsure which material is right for your project, we’re here to help. YearPins specializes in custom enamel pins made from all major materials, and our team can recommend the most suitable option based on your artwork, quantity, and price range.

The Complete Guide to Custom Pin Materials

Why Material Matters When Making Custom Pins