Here is the description for each step of pin production
1-Pin Design Setup
Pin design is pretty simple but needs to follow a few basic rules. These rules are as follows:
A- There is no shading in pins. So no shadow play can be obtained with out the use of a dividing line between 2 separated colors. This is because the paint would mix and not leave a crisp line. The pins are made with a design stam
ped into the metal that leaves a well for each color to rest in. B- Minute details may or may not be opssible depending on the size of the pin and the size of the item on the pin. In some cases contour lines would be used instead. This is because the lines on each pin and paint wells on each pin, CAN get pretty small, if too fine of detail is attempted, the lines will simply blur together. C- If your designing a Hat Pin, remember the size of a wearable hat pin is about 1.75x1.75 inches. Some larger pins can go up to 2.15 inches, but anything larger than that will need more than 2 backings and will not fit comfortably on a hat. If the pin is designed to be a collectors item on a pin board, or if being designed for a vest or jacket, then we can discuss a larger size. I will be happy to help you with this decision so that your pin turns out in the best possible way.
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2- Pen &Paper Design
A-
This is a basic hand drawn layout of the pin done on paper with pencil. I will try to get it as close the finished product as possible, but in some cases it won't be possible; i.e.- Guns, Cartoon or video game characters, vehicles, peoples faces. I say this because in some cases where perfection of the item in question is needed, it will be easier to simply trace these item during the digital rendering. If the Pen and Paper version is suitable then I will ink it and move on to the digital Render.
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3- The Digital Rendering
A- In the digital render I will trace out the inked drawing using a photoshop type program on the computer. B- This is where I will fix any small errors in the inked design and/or copy the item I cuoldn't get just right on paper by using a template adn tracing them to get the line work for the pin. C- I will also do the coloring here as apposed to the inked version because its much easier to get the exact colors needed and to change them if so desired. I can also signify where glitter paints and UV reactive paints are to be used. D- Here I can also adjust size, make things symmetrical, center, and add text using a wide variety of fonts. E- By making a reverse copy to show the back of the pin, we can add numbers,
(example- 01/200)
a short phrase or company logo that can fit on the pin back,
(example- SoulCloudDesigns @ FB)
or I can select where the location of the posts and pin backs will be placed.
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4-Approval
A- Once you have approved the finished Digital Render I will select the appropriate Pantone colors for the pin design. Pantone colors are the colors with ID numbers that tell the company which paints to use. These are selected from a color chart. B- Once I have selected the pantone colors I will send the design to the manufacturer with the details of the pin. I will also tell them other details like quantity. C- Color Variants are a different color setup on the same base design. These can be designed and sent at the same time as the original design. D- Quantityes can be as many as you would like, ranging up into the thousands, but typically most pin designs print anywhere from 50-300. E-The minimum order quantity is 50 pieces in total. As for Color Variants, each one must be atleast 30 pieces. So if making a design with 1 variant, you must order 60 pieces in total. F- They will make their own digital rendering that will serve as the finalized template for the pin making process. The return rendering will show the full pin design and also show the exact color of the Pantone colors selected just incase they are a little different than originally thought. G- Once you approve this finalized version they will make a detailed production invoice of the costs.
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5- Production
A- Production takes a few weeks to accomplish. For 1 design, regardless of variants, about 3-4 weeks is the typical time frame required. at the end of that 4 weeks the pins will be arriving on your doorstep via DHL International Shipping. Once word is recieved that the item have been shipped you will get a tracking number to follow their progress.
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And that's it. That's the whole process. Seems complicated but its all pretty simple really. I have pricings for each step listed in the Impressum on this page.
