Custom Enamel Pin Artwork Guide
Good artwork is the foundation of high-quality custom enamel pins. This artwork guide helps you prepare files for custom hard enamel pins, soft enamel pins, challenge coins, medals, keychains, and other custom metal products. Clean lines, clear color separation, proper sizing, and correct file formats help make production smoother and reduce mistakes.
For the best results, vector artwork is recommended. Adobe Illustrator, PDF, EPS, or high-resolution artwork helps us create accurate molds, clean metal lines, and better enamel color separation. If you only have a sketch, logo, PNG, JPG, or rough idea, our team can still help review your design and prepare production-ready artwork before manufacturing.
ACCEPTABLE FILE FORMATS
Adobe Illustrator
(Recommended)
Photoshop
(High Resolution)
PDF
(Vector Preferred)
PNG
(High Resolution)
JPG
(High Resolution)
ARTWORK DO’S & DON’TS
DO
Use clean vector lines
Convert all text to outlines
Use solid Pantone colors
Ensure lines are at least 0.2mm thick
Provide front and back designs if needed
DON’T
Don’t use gradients or transparency
Don’t use blurry images
Don’t use very thin lines
Don’t place important details too close to the edge
LINE THICKNESS & DETAILS
Lines that are too thin may fill in during production.
GOOD
0.25mm (0.010”) +
BETTER
0.35mm (0.014”) +
TOO THIN
< 0.2mm (0.008”)
For smaller details, 0.25mm (0.010”) or above is ideal.
PIN SIZE GUIDE
Common enamel pin sizes and artwork recommendations.
1.0"
25mm
1.25"
32mm
1.5"
38mm
2.0"
50mm
COLOR GUIDE
We use Pantone colors for the best enamel color match.
We’ll match them as closely as we can.
HARD ENAMEL VS. SOFT ENAMEL
HARD ENAMEL
Smooth and flat surface
Polished metal lines
More durable
Higher-end look
SOFT ENAMEL
Recessed metal lines
Textured surface
More affordable
Classic look
ARTWORK SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
File format: AI / PDF / PSD / PNG / JPG
High resolution 300 DPI or higher
Pantone colors specified if available
Final size indicated clearly
Front and back design if needed
Any special effects or packaging requirements noted
NEED HELP WITH YOUR ARTWORK?
READY TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM PIN?
Upload your artwork and get a free quote for custom pins, coins, medals, keychains, or packaging.
GET A FREE QUOTE →Custom Enamel Pin Artwork FAQ
Answers about artwork file formats, image resolution, line thickness, Pantone colors, pin sizes, and production-ready design requirements.
What file format is best for custom enamel pin artwork?
Vector files such as Adobe Illustrator (AI), EPS, or vector PDF are recommended because they provide clean lines, accurate shapes, and better color separation for mold production. High-resolution PSD, PNG, and JPG files can also be reviewed.
Can I submit a PNG, JPG, logo, sketch, or rough idea?
Yes. You do not need finished vector artwork to request a quote. You can submit a PNG, JPG, logo, sketch, reference image, or written idea. Our team provides free artwork review and can help prepare your design for production.
What is the minimum line thickness for enamel pin artwork?
Metal lines should generally be at least 0.2 mm (0.008 inches) thick. For clearer production results, 0.25 mm (0.010 inches) or thicker is recommended. Very thin lines and small gaps may need to be adjusted before production.
Do I need to provide Pantone colors?
Pantone C colors are recommended for more consistent enamel color matching. If you do not have Pantone references, you can provide your artwork colors and our team will help select the closest available Pantone matches. Screen colors may vary slightly from finished enamel colors.
What size is best for custom enamel pins?
A size between 1.25 and 1.5 inches (32–38 mm) works well for many custom enamel pin designs. Smaller pins are suitable for simple logos, while larger sizes are better for detailed artwork, text, and multiple design elements.
Can gradients, shadows, or photographs be used in enamel pin designs?
Traditional enamel production works best with solid colors separated by metal lines. Gradients, shadows, and photographic details may need to be simplified, divided into solid color areas, or reproduced using screen printing or offset printing.