{"id":322,"date":"2026-11-04T10:51:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T10:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/?p=322"},"modified":"2026-11-04T10:52:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T10:52:04","slug":"custom-pins-cost-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/custom-pins-cost-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Do Custom Pins Cost in Canada? A Complete Pricing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You have a logo ready and an event a few weeks away. A pin maker sends back a quote that looks reasonable. The next step is to ask about the mold fee, the shipping and what changes if you add fifty more pins. The number moves every time you ask a new question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That leaves you with a simple question that has no simple answer: how much do <a href=\"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\">custom pins<\/a> cost in Canada? The price depends on a few things you can control, and most of them are easy to understand once you see them side by side. This guide goes through them so the next quote makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are Custom Pins<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Custom pins are small badges made to your own design. Most are metal, with colour filled into the lines of a logo or artwork, though some are printed on acrylic. You will hear them called custom lapel pins, enamel pins or trading pins. The names overlap because they describe the same basic product used in different places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who orders them? A school might want a few hundred for a graduating class, while a business may only need fifty for an awards night. Hockey teams usually order for tournaments, where the pins are meant to be traded. The reason behind the order tends to set the quantity, and quantity is where most of the price difference comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Average Price of Custom Pins in Canada<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Price mostly comes down to how many pins you order. These are rough ranges for 1-inch soft enamel pins, in Canadian dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Price by quantity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>50 to 100 pins:<\/strong> CA$2.50 to CA$4.00 each<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>300 to 500 pins:<\/strong> CA$1.30 to CA$2.20 each<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1,000 or more:<\/strong> CA$0.70 to CA$1.40 each<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest drop in price comes between the first two tiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why quotes differ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some makers fold the mold, proof and shipping into one price.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Others list each as a separate fee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where the pins are made and how fast you need them also change the total.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What to check before you compare<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What each quote actually includes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether the mold fee repeats on a reorder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The total cost, not only the price per pin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a first order, soft enamel pins are usually the easiest style to compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Changes the Price of a Pin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two quotes for the same logo can differ because of a few choices made after the artwork is done. These are the ones that move the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Design choices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Size:<\/strong> A bigger pin uses more metal and more enamel, so each one costs more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colours and plating:<\/strong> Every added colour is another step in production. Special finishes such as gold or black nickel can add to the price too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shape:<\/strong> An unusual cut-out outline is harder to make than a plain one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fees and add-ons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mold or setup:<\/strong> This is charged once per design. Some makers waive it and others list it as its own line. A reorder of the same design often skips it if the mold is still on file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extras:<\/strong> Glitter, blinking lights and magnetic backs are priced on top of the pin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Packaging:<\/strong> A poly bag is the usual default. Backing cards and boxes cost more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ways to bring it down<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drop a colour or two<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Simplify the outline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make small text a little larger<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Soft Enamel, Hard Enamel and Other Styles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most custom enamel pins come in one of two finishes, and the choice changes both the look and the price. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/custom-enamel-pins\">Soft enamel pins<\/a> are where most first orders start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soft enamel vs hard enamel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a soft enamel pin, the metal lines stay raised and the colour sits a little lower, so you can feel the texture with your finger. It usually costs less, which is why it shows up on trading pins, event giveaways and club merch. Hard enamel is filled and polished flat, so the surface feels smooth. The extra polishing makes it cost more, and it is a common pick for awards and corporate gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Two other options<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Die struck:<\/strong> Metal only, with no colour fill. It suits service awards and simple designs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Acrylic or printed:<\/strong> Handles gradients and photo-style artwork. Acrylic needs no metal mold, so there is no mold fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If budget is the main concern, soft enamel pins are the easiest place to start. You can move up to hard enamel later if the design or the occasion calls for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Budgeting for Custom Hockey Trading Pins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trading pins are a big part of the fun at a tournament. Players swap them with other teams and bring home a few from towns they have never visited. The budget comes down to how many you need and what you want on each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why most are soft enamel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soft enamel is the usual choice for trading pins. The raised metal lines make the design easy to spot, and the price stays reasonable when you order enough for a full roster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many to order<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with the number of players and the number of events you plan to attend. Since the pins are meant to be swapped, plan for more than one per player. Ask the maker where the next price break falls, because a slightly bigger order can lower the cost of each pin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Be clear about the add-ons and the delivery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blinking lights, spinners, sliders, danglers and glitter all raise the price per pin. The smart move is to pick one or two. Order in advance before the game or the occasion because production and shipping both take time. Setting a roster-based quantity, a small add-on list and a firm delivery date keeps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/custom-hockey-pins\">custom hockey trading pins<\/a> within budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Costs People Forget to Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Custom pins pricing in Canada rarely stops at the price per pin. A quote that looks low can end up higher once the extra charges are added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shipping, duties and tax<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the pins are made overseas, ask whether shipping and customs fees are already in the quote. Many Canadian buyers only find out at delivery. Sales tax such as GST or HST is usually added on top as well, depending on your province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Smaller fees that add up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rush fees:<\/strong> Charged when you need the pins faster than standard production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proofs and artwork:<\/strong> Some makers include them and others bill separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Packaging:<\/strong> Backing cards and boxes cost extra.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add everything up and divide by the number of pins. That total per pin is the number to compare between quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Get a Quote You Can Compare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few details sent upfront help every maker quote the same thing, which makes the numbers easy to compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Settle the basics.<\/strong> Decide on a quantity, a rough size and the date you need the pins by.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Send your artwork.<\/strong> A clear logo file saves a round of emails.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose a style.<\/strong> Soft enamel is a safe starting point if you are unsure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ask the right questions.<\/strong> Is there a mold fee, does it repeat on a reorder, and is a proof included?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compare the total.<\/strong> Divide the full cost by the number of pins.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Standard production often takes two to four weeks, so work backward from your event date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1- Is there a minimum order limit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It depends on the maker and the style. Metal enamel pins often come with a minimum order quantity. However, you can order printed and acrylic pins in much smaller numbers. Check this early, since it can decide which style you go with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2- Can I order personalized pins in Canada for a small group?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, though the choices are narrower. Buyers of personalized pins in Canada who need only a few usually go with printed or acrylic styles, since there is no metal mold to pay for. Metal pins can still work, but each one costs more on a small run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3- What artwork file do I need?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A clear logo or illustration is enough to start. A vector file such as AI, EPS or PDF is the usual request, so send the best quality file you have. If you only have a photo or screenshot, many makers will redraw it for the mold, though some charge for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4- What backing do custom pins come with?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A metal butterfly clutch or a rubber clutch is the standard on most orders. Magnetic or locking backs usually cost extra. Ask your custom pins maker what is included before you compare quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5- Do enamel pins scratch easily?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soft enamel can mark more easily than hard enamel, since the colour sits below the metal lines. Some makers add a clear epoxy coating on request. It is worth asking if the pins will be worn or handled often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Before You Order Your Pins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go back to that first quote and it should look different now. The price per pin matters less than what sits behind it. Think about how many you need, which style you chose and what the maker has included. The numbers stop jumping around once you are clear about all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a custom pin Canada order is next on your list for a team, a club or a business, start with the quantity and the date you need the pins by. Send the same details to a few makers and put the totals side by side. The right choice tends to show itself from there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You have a logo ready and an event a few weeks away. A pin maker sends back a quote that looks reasonable. The next step is to ask about the mold fee, the shipping and what changes if you add fifty more pins. The number moves every time you ask a new question. That leaves&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":323,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-custom-coins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=322"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":324,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions\/324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.custompin.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}