Related reading: specification guide · MOQ, lead time and pricing · quality control process · full product catalog
Two questions dominate every enquiry: how many do I have to order, and when will they arrive. This page breaks both down into the variables you can control, so you can plan a launch date or an event with realistic numbers. Start here, then browse the full product catalog for the construction you want.
What actually sets unit price
- Quantity. Tooling and set-up are amortised across the run, so unit cost falls steeply between the first hundred and the second.
- Size and weight. Heavier pieces use more metal and more plating time.
- Number of enamel colours. Each colour is a separate fill and cure pass.
- Process choice. Hard enamel costs more than soft enamel; printing costs less than either for gradient art.
- Plating complexity. Antique finishes and two-tone masking add manual work.
- 3D versus 2D. Dimensional work needs more complex tooling and slower striking.
- Packaging and fittings. Backing cards, velvet boxes, gift cases and special clutches are priced per unit.
How lead time is built up
The ranges below are the stage breakdown used across the trade. Your confirmed schedule depends on order size, finish complexity and how fast artwork approvals come back.
| Stage | Typical duration | What happens | Depends on you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork review | 1–2 working days | Vector check, line width, colour count, feasibility notes | Sending layered vector files with Pantone codes |
| Quotation | Same day to 2 days | Priced against spec and quantity bands | Confirming quantity, fittings and packaging |
| Tooling | 5–10 working days | Mould or die cut, first strike | |
| Production samples | 7–10 working days | Colour fills, plating, fired first article | Approving or marking up the sample quickly |
| Bulk production | 10–20 working days | Striking, plating, colouring, baking, assembly | Quantity and colour count |
| Inspection and packing | 2–4 working days | AQL sampling, individual bagging, boxing | Packaging choice |
| Shipping | 3–7 days express, 7–12 days air, 25–40 days sea | Destination and customs documents |
Short version: plan on roughly five to seven weeks from approved artwork to delivery for most orders, and add the shipping leg. Rush slots exist when artwork is clean and the finish is simple — tell us the must-have date and we will quote what is achievable.
Sampling before the full run
We recommend a production sample on every new design. You see the real metal, the real colour and the real fitting before the run starts, which removes the two most expensive risks: a colour that reads wrong off screen, and a fitting that does not match how the piece will be worn.
Getting a quote that is accurate first time
- Quantity you need, plus the quantity you may reorder later.
- Size in inches or millimetres, and preferred thickness.
- Process — hard enamel, soft enamel or printed.
- Plating and the Pantone codes for each fill.
- Fitting: rubber clutch, butterfly clutch, magnet, keyring or tie tack.
- Packaging: poly bag, backing card, velvet pouch or presentation box.
- Must-have delivery date and destination.
Request a quote with those details and you will normally have a priced, scheduled response within one working day. If you are still choosing a construction, read the pin and medal specification guide first.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order quantity?
Yes, every run carries tooling and set-up, so there is a minimum that makes production viable. Tell us your target number and we will quote the nearest practical band.
Can I order a single sample before committing?
Yes — that is exactly what the production sample stage is for, and its cost is usually credited against the bulk order.
What if my event date is fixed?
Give us the fixed date first. We will plan tooling, samples and shipping backwards from it and tell you honestly what is achievable.
How much does adding a colour add?
Each enamel colour is an extra fill and cure pass, so both cost and schedule grow with colour count. Reducing the palette is usually the fastest way to save time and money.
When should I reorder to avoid paying tooling again?
Tooling is normally kept on file for repeat runs, so reordering the same design skips that stage entirely. Confirm retention terms when you place the first order.