Lapel pins are super trendy right now. It’s never been a better time to jump into creating and selling your own.
The great thing about starting a lapel pin business, is you get to be as creative and artistic as you want. You can make a pin that’s true to your style and interests. The possibilities are limitless!
If you’ve been enjoying this trend on your own and want to share your ideas with others, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you how to make your very own lapel pins. So you can turn your side hobby into a full-blown lapel pin business. Read on for a complete guide.
Let’s Get Started – Your Lapel Pin Business!
The first thing you will want to do is create your concept art. If you are planning on turning this into a business and not just creating a pin for yourself, you need to do some research. This could mean learning about popular collectibles and themes.
Make sure your design still makes sense for you. If it’s not something you are passionate about or have an interest in, then your customers are going to know. Basically, if you’re not willing to buy it, then why would anybody else?
One popular fantasy pin trend is mashups. This is when a pin designer will combine to different characters or themes into one pin. Fans love seeing two of their favorite things in a surprising mashup that they wouldn’t expect.
Not everyone can create their own artwork. There are other options when starting your lapel pin business. You can choose to purchase white-label designs or hire a freelance graphic designer on the web.
If you are not a pin designer yourself, then visit this company to find more options to purchase or to create your own from scratch.
Make it Pin-Worthy
Once you have your design in place, you’re going to have to look at it with the eye of a pin maker. That means simplifying areas that are too complex or detailed to be turned into a pin.
The enamel pin is going to be small, so you’ll also have to remove things like gaps in the design. Cuts and holes in the metal will also mean extra charges. So unless it is key to your design, try to avoid these.
It will save you money.
Keep in mind the color of the metal and work this into your overall color scheme. The colors must be solid and usually within the Pantone color system.
Also, take into consideration the size, weight, and pin when it is done. You might need two pin posts so it won’t spin and will hang securely when worn.
If you don’t have a good handle on programs like Adobe Illustrator and own your own digital tablet with pen, then this portion of the design can be difficult. Again, you can enlist the help of a professional artist to get your design pin-ready.
There’s also the option of using a company that takes your design and makes it pin-ready. Be wary of companies that say they will do this for free. Often they will charge you upwards of $300 for this kind of service.
Create Your Lapel Pin
When your design is ready to go, then you will need to find a manufacturer who has the tools and equipment to make your pin. There are some manufacturing details to consider when making your pin.
Are you interested in a soft enamel pin or a hard enamel pin? The soft enamel pins are more common with beginners. These pins are able to have more variety of color options and details. The hard enamel pins usually have duller color but are less easily scratched and last longer.
When you are researching different manufacturers, you’re going to need to consider a number of factors. These include the quality, cost, shipping fees, and some features of the pins like clasp options.
Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. This is an exciting part of becoming an entrepreneur and owning your own business. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Do your best to keep the costs low when creating your pin. Usually things like multiple colors, complex details, the size, and finally the quantity of your order is going to factor into the final cost.
You might want to spend a little extra to have a back stamp. This is the chance to have your logo stamped on the back of your pin. Which is great for branding purposes.
The biggest part of your cost is basically the creation of the mold for your pin. Follow-up orders for your pin shouldn’t be as high as the initial cost.
Usually, the manufacturer will have a variety of options for the materials used to create your pin. Things like the texture or what the pin’s post is made out of will be offered in a variety of materials such as rubber or steel.
Make sure no matter what you decide on, that you order samples prior to committing to anything. You should be allowed to see the pin in-person so you can practice good quality control for your future customers.
Sell Your Lapel Pins
After you’ve taken a close look at your sample pin to be sure it meets your expectations, it’s time to order your pins!
When you are ready to order, start with a small batch of pins to test the market. Order the smallest run possible and see how well it does. If your pin sells out quickly, then you can start ordering larger batches.
Once you get the hang of it, you can start selling a wide range of designs. It’s just a matter of researching the market and finding something you love that you know others will too!
Time to Start Pinning
Get started on creating your lapel pin business today! It’s a great time to jump into this growing trend. They are inexpensive to pack and ship. Plus there are so many niches available for you to explore.
If you’re excited about becoming a successful entrepreneur, then let us help you get there! Check out our blog to learn how to grow your business even further.
