Oct 28, 2026Brewery Merchandise
Types of Custom Pins: Differences & How to Choose
Compare imitation hard enamel, paint-filled, UVprinted, stained glass and epoxy-coated pins. Find a suitable finish for your artwork and request a quote.
Choosing between imitation enamel, paint-filled, UV-printed, stained glass and epoxy-coated pins? This guide compares their appearance, texture and artwork suitability to help you choose the right option for your design.
Do you want a smooth surface, raised metal outlines, printed gradients or transparent color?
For breweries, beverage brands, sports clubs and event organizers, these differences affect how a logo or illustration appears at the finished size.
Here is a practical comparison of five options.
Custom Pin Finishes at a Glance
Finish | Appearance | Design Direction |
|---|---|---|
Imitation enamel | Smooth, polished surface | Clean logos and club emblems |
Paint-filled | Raised metal lines with recessed color | Mascots, club logos and bold illustrations |
UV printing | Printed full-color detail | Gradients and label-inspired artwork |
Stained glass | Transparent colors that let light shine through | Decorative and collectible designs |
Epoxy coating | Clear resin layer over the design | A glossy, coated surface |
Imitation Enamel : A Smooth, Polished Finish
Imitation hard enamel pins use colored fill that is polished to create a smooth surface alongside the metal outlines. This is a different process from traditional fired-glass enamel.
Consider this option for a brewery emblem, club crest or simple brand mark where a clean finish is important. Gold-tone or silver-tone plating can change the overall appearance.
Provide your Pantone references for color matching review. The final color and finish should be checked through the agreed approval process.
Paint-Filled Pins: Vibrant Colors and Textured Detail
Paint-filled pins feature raised metal outlines with recessed areas filled with colored paint. The contrast between the metal and color fill creates a textured surface with clearly defined details.
This finish suits brewery mascots, sports club logos and illustrations with distinct color sections. The metal outlines become part of the artwork, adding definition and visual depth.
For small lettering or closely spaced details, share your preferred pin dimensions so the design can be reviewed before production.
UV-Printed Pins: Gradients and Detailed Artwork
UV printing can reproduce full-color artwork, including gradients and details that may be difficult to divide into individual enamel-filled sections.
For a beverage brand, this could mean adapting a can label or illustrated campaign design into a pin. It can also suit event artwork containing several colors.
Print detail still depends on the finished dimensions and surface. Review small lettering at actual size rather than relying on a large digital preview. Special raised or textured effects should be discussed separately.
Stained Glass Pins: Translucent Color and Depth
Stained glass-style pins combine an openwork metal frame with translucent colored lacquer. Light passes through the colored sections, creating a luminous, jewel-like effect.
The contrast between sculpted metal details and translucent color adds visual depth, with highlights that shift as the viewing angle changes. This finish suits butterfly wings, floral patterns and flowing designs where light and color are part of the artwork.
Share your design or a reference image so we can review the metal structure and translucent areas together.
Epoxy-Coated Pins: A Clear Surface Layer
An epoxy-coated pin has a transparent resin layer applied over the artwork, creating a glossy, often gently domed surface.
Epoxy is a coating option rather than a completely separate artwork process. It can be combined with compatible printed or enamel designs.
Consider how the coating changes the surface profile and appearance. Confirm compatibility with your selected construction before ordering.
Which Finish Fits Your Project?
Start with your preferred appearance, then review the artwork, dimensions, backing and quantity together.
There is no single finish that suits every design.
Not sure which option to choose? Email your artwork, preferred pin size, quantity and required arrival date to info@cheersbrewhub.com, or send your project through our contact page. We’ll review suitable options and prepare a quotation.
