How Much Does It Cost to Make Enamel Pins? An In-Depth Breakdown

At Alchemy Merch, one of the most common questions we get is: How much does it cost to make enamel pins?

We also get asked why small production runs, like 25 or even a single pin aren’t cost-effective. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly where the costs come from and why enamel pins are priced the way they are.

Understanding Enamel Pin Costs

Custom enamel pins are 100% personalized, which means several factors influence their final price, including:

• Pin size (e.g., 1.5”, 2”, etc.)

• Order quantity

• Plating finish (gold, silver, black nickel, etc.)

• Number of colors or specialty inks

• Shape or cut-out details

• Packaging choices
  
  

For simplicity, we’ll use a 1.5” gold soft enamel pin as an example and walk through the pricing for different quantities.

Fixed Costs: Mold and Shipping

Every enamel pin design requires a custom mold. This mold is a one-time setup cost that allows your artwork to be turned into a die for stamping the metal.

Even a single-color pin goes through more than 10 separate production steps, including:

1. Mold creation

2. Sanding

3. Adding posts

4. Metal plating

5. Inking

6. Polishing

7. Baking

8. Inspection

9. Attachment

10. Packaging
    
    

Because of this, even “simple” pins involve a lot of manual labor and skilled work

Example Pricing for a 1.5” Gold Soft Enamel Pin

Why Small Runs Aren’t Cost-Effective

As you can see, the mold and shipping are fixed costs. That means whether you make 50 or 100 pins, you’re still paying roughly $100 total for those two parts.

Here’s how those fixed costs break down per pin:

• 50 pcs: $2.00 per pin (mold + shipping)

• 100 pcs: $1.00 per pin

• 200 pcs: $0.65 per pin

• 500 pcs: $0.31 per pin

• 1000+ pcs: $0.20 or less per pin
  
  

So when someone asks to make 25 pins, the mold and shipping costs remain the same, meaning you’d spend nearly the same total cost but end up with half as many pins. Labor time doesn’t decrease proportionally, either.

That’s why we typically recommend a minimum of 50 pins per design and often show 100-piece pricing so you can compare and decide what’s best for your budget.

Reordering Pins (Without Paying for a New Mold)

When you reorder pins, the original mold cost is removed — saving you $50 automatically.

At Alchemy Merch, we never charge for a new mold on reorders, even if it’s been 3 months or 5 years since your last order. We want to make it as easy and affordable as possible to restock your designs.

Final Thoughts: Why Enamel Pins Are Worth It

Creating custom enamel pins is a detailed process that blends craftsmanship with creativity. While setup costs can make small runs less practical, larger quantities let your costs per pin drop significantly, giving you more value for your investment.

At Alchemy Merch, we’re here to help you bring your ideas to life with transparent pricing, quality craftsmanship, and full creative control.

Custom Enamel Pins Collection

Soft Enamel Pins

Hard Enamel Pins