Choosing Pantone colors for enamel pins

Why Pantone

Screens show colors in RGB, and every screen shows them differently. Pantone is a physical color standard: PMS 186 C is the same red everywhere. Factories mix enamel to match Pantone numbers, so naming them removes guesswork.

Coated (C) or uncoated (U)?

Use the coated (C) swatches. Enamel is glossy, so it looks closest to coated paper swatches. If your brand guide lists only uncoated or CMYK values, we convert them and show the Pantone C numbers on your proof.

Colors that need care

• Very light colors (pale pink, light yellow, white) can look different next to each metal. An antique finish, which is darker, helps.
• Metallic Pantones (the 8000 and 10000 series) cannot be matched in normal enamel. Use plating for metallic effects, or glitter.
• Neon Pantones (the 800 series) can be approximated with bright enamel but will not glow like fluorescent ink.
• Skin tones in small areas can shift; we show the exact numbers so you can adjust.

Building a palette

Three to six colors suit most pins. Choose colors with clear contrast, check the palette in grayscale (if two colors look the same in gray, they may blur together), and remember that the plating is a color too. Our guide how to design an enamel pin covers palette choices in more detail.

How many colors are included

up to 8 colors are included in our prices. Glitter, glow and translucent enamel are add-ons per color; see the pricing page.

What to send

List your Pantone C numbers with your file on the quote form. If you do not have them, we pick the closest match from your artwork and show them on the proof for approval.

Color consistency on reorders

Once your colors are approved, we record the Pantone numbers with your order. Reorders are mixed to the same numbers, so pins from different years match closely. Small batch-to-batch variation is normal with hand-mixed enamel; if exact consistency matters, mention it and we compare the new batch to a pin from the previous order.