Custom pins were a tiny accessory that people collected and kept in their collections. However, 2025 has transformed them by bringing innovation and new design trends.
They have become a powerful way to share your identity, creativity, and purpose. Whether you are using them to promote your business, celebrate an event, or add a personalized look to your wardrobe, the possibilities are endless.
They are tiny, but the impact is significant. Designing them is easy, affordable, and pins are fun to use. From the awareness campaigns to fashion statements, you can find them everywhere. In this blog, we will explore ten creative ways to use them, supported with examples and tips to spark your ideas.
Ten Ways You Can Use Your Custom Enamel Pins
Custom enamel pins are popular for their rich designs and long-term appeal. They are designed with precision. Let’s check out the ways we can use them in 2025.
1. A Fashion Statement
In recent years, it has been noticed that they have become a significant accessory for clothing, such as jackets, bags, and hats. They allow people to express their style. You can:
- Wear them as a unique clothing accent.
- Create your hat pins that match the trends.
- Pair them with the street wear to bring a bold look to your clothes.
| Trend Style | Popularity (%) | Example Design |
| Streetwear Pins | 35% | Graffiti-inspired art |
| Minimalist Pins | 25% | Simple line icons |
| Vintage Pins | 20% | Retro travel badges |
| Pop Culture Pins | 20% | Movie or anime themes |
2. A Giveaway At The Event
Different businesses and event organizers are using custom pins as giveaway gifts at trade shows and business expos. You can:
- Hand out the pins at the trade shows and festivals.
- Design your limited editions for the concerts.
- Add the event dates to make them collectibles.
3. Brand Promotion
Whether it’s small businesses or global brands, they use pins to market their brand. This is the best idea as:
- They get the opportunity to feature their company logo on the pins.
- Give them to their loyal customers as a reward.
- Launch some limited edition pins with the product release.
4. An Idea For Fundraising Campaigns
As they are budget-friendly, companies are using them as a means to raise money for different causes. These include:
- Selling pins online and then donating the proceeds to charity.
- Creating designs that reflect the cause of the campaigns, such as a rally for Go Green.
- Making use of eco-friendly materials to promote sustainability.
5. Awareness Campaigns
In 2025, various non-profit organizations and activists utilize pins to convey their messages. They are:
- Using bold slogans or symbolic icons.
- Distributing them at the rallies and public events.
- Creating pins in the colors representing the cause of the campaign.
6. A Source Of Employee Recognition
A business cannot run smoothly without dedicated and hardworking employees. As a business owner, you understand the importance of having happy employees. They not only increase productivity but also stay with your business longer. One effective strategy to make your employees happy is to offer them custom-made pins to recognize their efforts. These pins can be awarded as a small gesture of appreciation for their hard work, or as a gift when they engage in fun activities to show their spirit towards their team and company.
Design your pins and award them to those who meet sales goals or provide excellent customer service. This will increase their morale, leading them to work with greater dedication and achieve better results.
7. Collectors’ Edition
The collectors are driving the demand for the limited-run pins. Companies are taking advantage of this by releasing items, such as custom coins with unique designs, in small batches. The collaboration with artists gives you exclusive pins with unique designs that are highly valuable and can be preserved as cherished keepsakes.
| Factor | Impact Level |
| Limited Production Run | High |
| Unique Artwork | High |
| Artist Collaboration | Medium |
| Material Quality | High |
8. The Travel Souvenirs
When it comes to the categories of businesses, tourism business sell their custom pins as souvenirs or gifts. They choose designs featuring the landmarks or cultural symbols. Most of them sell them at airports, museums, and gift shops. Some of them create a series that represents different regions.
9. Schools And Club Identity
Apart from the businesses, schools, colleges, and hobby clubs are embracing pins for identity. Schools distribute pins featuring their logos to promote student pride. Similarly, clubs use pins to recognize their members. Moreover, you can award pins for sports events and competitions.
10. A Social Media Giveaway
Influencers and creators are using pins to enhance their online presence within communities. They release an initiative of:
- Giving away pins as a reward to their loyal followers.
- Including pins in merch bundles.
- Designing pins that match the trending memes or aesthetics.
Customize Your Pins
With the revolving trend, it is essential to know how to design your custom pins. Let’s dig into the design process.
Step 1: Choose Your Badge Style
Before you begin, decide on the type of badge you want to create. The most common options are:
Paper-based badges – Lightweight, affordable, and simple to make.
Shrink plastic badges – Durable and slightly thicker, giving a more professional feel.
Enamel badges – Sturdy, long-lasting, and polished in appearance.
If you’re a beginner, paper-based or shrink plastic badges are great choices since they require minimal tools and are easy to work with. You can easily order custom pins online from any store. They will also guide you in solving all the related issues.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
You don’t need advanced equipment to make badges at home. Essential supplies include:
- Badge blanks or pin backs
- Paper or shrink plastic sheets
- Scissors
- Printer
- Glue or clear tape
- Safety pins or metal pin backs
All of these items can be found in craft stores or online. The good news is that materials are inexpensive, and buying in bulk makes them even more cost-effective.
Step 3: Create Your Design
This is where your creativity comes into play. You can draw your design by hand, use a digital design tool, or print a design you like. Standard badge sizes range from 1 to 2 inches in diameter, so ensure your design is visible at that scale.
To make your badge more eye-catching, consider adding:
- Short quotes or phrases
- Fun symbols or icons
- Simple yet bold illustrations
If drawing by hand, use markers or colored pencils for vivid results. For multiple designs, print them all on a single page to save time and materials.
Step 4: Cut and Assemble Your Badge
Once your design is ready, cut it carefully. For shrink plastic badges, follow the instructions provided. Usually, you’ll bake the cut-out so that it shrinks and thickens. For paper badges, mount your design onto a sturdy base, such as cardboard or a badge blank, and then cover it with tape or resin for protection.
Attach the pin to the back with glue. If you have a badge-making machine, the process becomes faster; just load the parts, place your design, and press the handle. Hand-making badges may take more time, but allows for a personal touch.
Step 5: Add the Final Touch
To make your badge look professional and long-lasting, apply a coat of resin or Mod Podge for a durable finish. This not only adds a glossy finish but also protects the design from wear and tear. Allow it to dry completely and check that the pin is secure.
Once done, your badge is ready to wear, gift, or sell. With care and attention to detail, a homemade badge can look just as polished as a store-bought one, making your creative effort truly worthwhile.
FAQs
What are the reasons for the popularity of custom pins in 2025?
These pins have gained popularity in recent years due to their affordability, versatility, and ability to allow people to express their personality, promote a brand, and support a cause in a stylish way.
Can we use them in promoting businesses?
Many businesses utilize customized pins as giveaways, branding tools, and limited-edition promotions to attract customers.
What are the uses of custom pins?
You can use them as a fashion accessory and attach them to your bags, hats, or to bring a new look to your closet. Apart from this, people collect them as part of their hobby.
Can these pins be used in fundraising?
Charities and non-profit organizations can sell them at events or airports. The amount collected from them can be used for a cause.
The Final Comment
In 2025, the role of custom pins has surpassed that of small accessories. From personal fashion to corporate branding, they have become a versatile tool for self-expression, promotion, and connection.
The best is that they are affordable, customizable, and easy to share. Whether you are a business owner, a charity organizer, or simply someone who loves collecting, custom pins offer endless possibilities to showcase your creativity. With changing trends, pins will continue to adapt and bring about change in style and ideas. Therefore, this is the ideal time to start designing your pins.