Custom UV printed pins for artwork that traditional enamel can't handle. UV printing puts full-color, photo-realistic ink directly on metal, which means gradients, soft transitions, fine illustration, and complex color all come through clean. If your art has more than three or four colors, or any kind of gradient or shading, this is usually the right call.
Alchemy is a production partner built by artists, musicians, and brand owners. We've helped creators produce over 5 million custom products since 2019, and we don't operate like a promotional products company. Whether you're an indie illustrator running your first 50-pin drop, a band making merch for a tour, or a designer ordering pins for a brand launch, our job is the same: make the best merch we can for you.
When UV printing is the right choice
UV printing is direct-to-metal, full-color, and finished with a clear coat. It's the move when:
- Your design has gradients, shadows, or soft color transitions that enamel can't separate
- Your design has more than four colors and using enamel would cost more than the print cost
- You're working from a photograph or a digital illustration where color depth matters
- You want the smooth flat finish of hard enamel with the color flexibility of full-color print
- The artwork has to match an existing brand color spec exactly, which enamel can't always do
UV printing is not the right call for very simple two- or three-color designs (enamel will look more polished and cost less), or for artwork that depends heavily on raised tactile metal lines (soft enamel will feel right where UV won't). We'll tell you honestly when you'd be better served by enamel; we're not selling you up.
What you can customize
Metal finish
Choose your base metal: gold, silver, black nickel, or other plating. The metal shows through any clear or unprinted areas of your design, so the base finish becomes part of the look.
Coating
Standard is a thin clear coat that protects the print without changing the feel. Optional thicker epoxy coating adds dimension and extra durability. Both are quoted on request.
Hybrid UV and enamel
For designs that benefit from raised metal accents around a printed center (logo borders, framing elements, brand marks), we can combine UV printing with enamel sections in the same pin. Quote depends on complexity.
Shape and mold
Simple shapes stamp from iron at standard cost. Complex shapes with deep cut-ins, holes, or pins larger than 1.75" need die-cast zinc alloy molds, which cost more because zinc holds finer detail. We'll quote both options if your design is borderline.
How a run actually works
Most orders start with a quote, not a cart. You send us your artwork (vector, raster, sketch, Procreate file, whatever you have), and we come back with pricing, a production timeline, and any production notes within a business day or two. We'll flag anything in the file that won't translate well at production size before we move forward, so you're not surprised at proof.
From proof approval, most overseas products are about a month to your door. That's the nature of producing 100% custom merchandise overseas vs. shipping a stock promotional item. Shipping is express and included in the price.
If you have a hard deadline, tell us before you order. We don't charge rush fees. We'll either confirm we can hit your date or tell you up front that we can't, so you can plan around it.
Why our minimum is 50
It's a factory math thing, not a quality stance. The factories we work with charge a labor minimum that covers setup, mold use, proofing, and the production run itself. That floor barely changes between a 25-piece and a 50-piece order, so a 25-piece run costs almost the same as 50, just with half the pins. 50 is where the per-pin price actually starts to make sense.
We can run smaller hard sample runs if you really need to (the factory will do it), but it's not financially viable for most people: you're paying close to 50-piece pricing for a fraction of the output. If you're set on a small run, email us first and we'll walk through whether it's worth it for your situation. Larger runs (100, 200, and up) bring the per-pin cost down meaningfully.
Who we work with
Artists running their own work: illustrators, bands, indie brand owners, podcasters, comic creators, convention sellers. Designers ordering pins for a brand launch, an event, a campaign, or a customer giveaway. Agencies and design studios producing merch for their clients. Merch companies running production for the artists they represent. The common thread is that the merch matters: it's representing a brand, a band, an artist, or a project that someone cares about.
What you get with Alchemy
- 5+ million products produced for creators and brands since 2019.
- 100% money-back guarantee. If it's not right, we remake it at no cost or refund you in full.
- Prop 65 compliant pins, tested for lead and phthalates.
- Long-standing factory relationships. We've been working with the same vetted overseas factories for years. That means consistent quality, predictable timelines, and no chasing the lowest quote at the cost of the product. You get a US-based partner who handles the production logistics for you.
- Quality good enough for licensed brands. We've produced merch for officially licensed properties and large brands. The same standard goes on every order, including yours.
- A team of artists, musicians, and brand owners. Not customer-service reps trained on a script. Everyone proofing your file or reviewing your sample knows what it feels like to send their own art to a factory and hope it comes back right.
Common questions
How much do UV printed pins cost?
Pricing is competitive with hard enamel for full-color designs. The advantage shows up when your design has more than three or four colors or any gradient. UV doesn't charge per color the way enamel effectively does.
What file format works best for UV printing?
High-resolution raster (300 DPI or better at print size) or vector with embedded raster elements both work. CMYK is ideal but we can convert from RGB; colors will shift slightly during conversion and we'll proof carefully. PNG with transparent background is a fine starting point if that's what you have.
Will the print fade over time?
The clear coat protects against UV fade and surface wear. With normal use (worn on a jacket, displayed on a board) UV pins hold their color for years. Heavy abrasion or constant outdoor exposure can wear the coat eventually, but this is true of any printed product.
Can I combine UV with hard enamel in the same pin?
Yes. Hybrid UV-and-enamel pins use enamel for raised areas (frames, borders, logo elements) and UV for the printed interior. Send us your design and we'll quote it both ways if you want to compare.
Do I see a proof before production?
Always. Digital proof for color and layout review before production is scheduled. Revisions are unlimited until you approve.
How long do UV printed pins take?
About four weeks from proof approval to your door, including express shipping. Standard for overseas custom production. If you have a hard deadline, tell us before you order; we'll confirm whether we can hit it. No rush fees.
Are UV pins safety-tested?
Yes. Prop 65 compliant, tested for lead and phthalates.
Are UV pins made in the USA?
UV printed pins are produced overseas at long-vetted factories. Our team is US-based and handles file prep, proofing, and customer success on every order. Our wooden pins and stickers are made in the USA.
Start a quote
Send us your artwork and a rough quantity, and we'll come back with pricing and a timeline within a business day or two. Not sure if your file will work? Send what you have. We'll tell you what we'd need to make it production-ready. Start a quote.
