How are Die Struck Pins Made?

Making a die struck pin starts with creating a unique design. We provide free artwork and revisions to all of our customers, so all you need to do is send us a few of your ideas to get started. Once artwork is finalized, your design in machined into a custom die, or mold. The die is then used to press the artwork onto sheets of iron, brass or copper. This process is known as die striking and is where this style of pin gets its name.

The dies created by our production team press incredibly detailed images into the metal sheets, resulting in beautifully precise impressions even on the smallest pins. It’s important to note that die striking is not the same thing as die casting. Custom die cast lapel pins are made by pouring liquid metal into a custom mold instead of striking the design into the metal with immense pressure. We prefer the die striking method because the pressure used to press a design into a pin results in a denser piece of metal. This makes for a more durable pin design that is sure to last a lifetime.

When the process of getting the general shape of the pins is completed, the real work of making the pins unique and individual starts in earnest.

Adding The Finishing Touches to Your Die Struck Pin Design

Once all of the pins are struck, your design is moved to the metal plating process to get a splash of color. We offer a wide assortment of different options for metal plating, each one adding to the character of the pins in different ways.

High polish gold and silver pins gleam under any light source and have an inherent sense of premium value. Because the metal surface is so reflective, high polish plating is best suited for designs with a focus on artwork over text. If you’re looking for a bright, high polished design with a lot of text, a great way to ensure your message is legible is to incorporate recessed sandblasting. This creates a textured surface that is more resistant to glare.

For a more subtle design, our antique metal plating options provide a classic aesthetic with darker hues of color. These types of pins are more glare resistant than our high polish pins and are perfect for designs that incorporate full 3D artwork. The natural contrast between raised and recessed portions of the design help sculpted artwork come alive with realistic detailing.

Gold and silver are two of our more popular plating options, but we also offer black nickel plating that has a shimmering charcoal color, bronze plating that has a classic hew of pale gold, and dual plating that mixes and matches different styles of metal plating together in the same design. Dual plating is one of the best ways to add a sense of contrast to a design and to help certain elements of the artwork stand out from the rest.

If you’re looking for a pin with a more whimsical design, our soft enamel pins offer plenty of room to include different shades of colors throughout the artwork. In a similar way, cloisonne pins are well suited for brighter artwork with a glossy, jewelry quality finish, but for customers who want a more formal design with classic style, die struck pins are the best option.

Die struck lapel pins are perfect for honoring dedicated team members and celebrating important achievements. Without the need of adding enamel to achieve a meaningful and memorable design, die struck pins are often less expensive than their soft and hard enamel counterparts, while also taking less time to manufacture. If you’re in the market for an ornate design with classic style, give us a call today, and we’ll set to work on a custom die struck lapel pin design for you.

Get Started on Your Own Die Struck Lapel Pins Today

To get started on a custom pin design, all we need are a few ideas. Just fill out one of our free quote forms, and our art team will be able to begin crafting a unique design for you. The first proof will be ready within 48 hours. All artwork and revisions are free, so be sure to let us know how we can improve any aspect of the artwork.

The possibilities are endless for custom die struck pins, and our team is here to help you through every step of the design process. Give us a call today, and see what makes Signature Pins the best custom pin maker in the industry.