What’s the difference between glitter pins, pearl pins, glow pins and transparent color pins? Do they use the same enamel?
These four pins all use soft enamel as the base, but they add different special additives and processes to create unique effects:
Glitter pins: Mix fine glitter particles into enamel before filling, giving a sparkling, eye-catching finish (perfect for party or festival merch).
Pearl pins: Add pearlescent powder to enamel, creating a subtle, iridescent sheen like a pearl shell (great for elegant, retro designs).
Glow pins: Use glow-in-the-dark pigment mixed with enamel—charge it under light for 10-15 minutes, and it will glow faintly in the dark (ideal for night events or collectibles).
Transparent color pins: Adopt clear, tinted enamel that shows the metal base underneath, creating a translucent, glass-like look (suited for minimalist or nature-themed designs).
Will the glitter on glitter pins fall off easily? How to keep the glitter effect for a long time?
The glitter won’t fall off easily if it’s high-quality glitter enamel (we use embedded glitter particles, not surface-printed glitter). The key is that we bake the enamel at high temperature to fuse the glitter with the metal base, then add a thin clear coating on top. To maintain the glitter effect: 1) Avoid rubbing the pin vigorously; 2) Don’t soak it in water for a long time; 3) Store it in a dry, sealed box when not in use. The only way glitter might fall off is if the pin is crushed or scraped with a sharp object.
Do pearl pins have different levels of iridescence? Can I customize the pearl sheen to match my brand’s color?
Yes! Pearl pins have three levels of iridescence: low (subtle sheen), medium (obvious pearlescent glow), and high (strong rainbow-like shine). We can also customize the pearl sheen to match your brand color—just send us your brand color swatch or Pantone code. For example, if your brand color is mint green, we’ll mix mint green enamel with the right amount of pearlescent powder to create a mint pearl pin that fits your brand vibe. The only limit is that neon colors are harder to match with pearl sheen (they’ll look duller).
Can transparent color pins be made with multiple transparent colors? Will multiple colors overlap and become messy?
Yes! You can mix 2-3 transparent colors on one pin, and they won’t look messy if the design is planned properly. For example, you can make a transparent blue sky with transparent white clouds, or a transparent green leaf with transparent yellow veins. The key is to avoid overlapping too many dark transparent colors (e.g., transparent black + transparent red = murky brown). Our designers will help you arrange the color layers to ensure the transparent effect is clear and beautiful—no extra charge for this service.
What’s the MOQ for these special effect pins? I only need 30 pieces for my small event?
The MOQ for glitter/pearl/glow/transparent color pins is 50 pieces—but we can make 30 pieces for you with a small premium (about 15% extra cost). Unlike digital printing pins, these special effect pins need custom enamel mixing, so the MOQ is a bit higher than regular pins. Pro tip: If you can add 20 more pieces (total 50), you’ll save the 15% premium and get a better per-unit price. We also offer free design revisions for small orders—no hidden fees.
Are these special effect pins suitable for outdoor use? Will they be damaged by exposure to exposure to sunlight or rain?
These pins are suitable for occasional outdoor use (e.g., a 1-day festival), but they’re not ideal for long-term outdoor exposure. Here’s the breakdown:
Glitter/pearl/transparent pins: The enamel is water-resistant, but long-term sunlight will fade the color slightly over 6-12 months.
Glow pins: UV rays from sunlight will reduce the glow pigment’s effectiveness over time—so don’t leave them in direct sunlight for days.To protect them outdoors: Wear them on a waterproof jacket or backpack, and wipe them dry with a cloth if they get wet.
Can I combine multiple special effects into one pin? For example, a glitter + glow pin or a pearl + transparent pin?
Absolutely! We can combine 2 special effects into one pin (combining 3+ is not recommended—it will make the design overcrowded and reduce durability). For example:
Glitter + glow pins: Sparkle in the light and glow in the dark—super popular for music festivals.
Pearl + transparent pins: Iridescent pearl sheen with a translucent base—perfect for elegant wedding favors.Note that combining effects will add a small cost (about 10-20% extra) and extend production time by 2-3 business days (because we need to apply multiple enamel layers).