Common sizes at a glance
| Inches | Millimeters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in. | 13 mm | Tiny accents, hat bands, sets |
| 0.75 in. | 19 mm | Suit lapel pins, executive pins |
| 1 in. | 25 mm | The standard lapel and logo pin |
| 1.25 in. | 32 mm | Staff, event and collectible pins |
| 1.5 in. | 38 mm | Creator pins, smaller trading pins |
| 1.75 in. | 44 mm | Trading pins, cheer pins |
| 2 in. | 51 mm | The most popular trading pin size |
| 2.5 in. | 64 mm | Showpiece trading pins |
| 3 in. | 76 mm | Large statement pins |
How size is measured
Pins are measured on their longest side. A 1-inch pin that is taller than it is wide is 1 inch tall and less than 1 inch wide. If your design is very wide (a wordmark, a pair of wings), we size it by width and the height follows.
What size should I choose?
For lapels and uniforms: 0.75 to 1 inch. Anything over about 1.25 inches starts to look like a badge on a suit. See where a lapel pin goes.
For logo and staff pins: 1 inch is the safe default.
For creator and retail pins: 1.25 to 1.75 inches. Big enough to show detail and feel substantial.
For trading pins: 1.75 to 2.5 inches. See trading pin sizes.
For hats: 0.75 to 1 inch. See hat pins.
How size affects detail
At 1 inch, text should be at least 1.5 mm tall, about a 6-point font. A logo with a small tagline usually needs 1.25 inches or more for the tagline to survive, or the tagline goes on the back. Detailed illustrations need 1.5 inches or larger. Our artwork guidelines list the minimums.
How size affects price
Soft enamel, per pin, delivered:
| Size | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | 200 pcs | 300 pcs | 500 pcs | 1,000 pcs | 2,000 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 in. | $4.40 | $2.90 | $2.15 | $1.85 | $1.55 | $1.20 | $1.10 |
| 1 in. | $4.90 | $3.20 | $2.40 | $2.10 | $1.75 | $1.35 | $1.25 |
| 1.25 in. | $5.40 | $3.55 | $2.70 | $2.35 | $1.95 | $1.50 | $1.40 |
| 1.5 in. | $5.90 | $3.95 | $3.00 | $2.60 | $2.20 | $1.70 | $1.50 |
| 2 in. | $7.10 | $4.85 | $3.70 | $3.20 | $2.70 | $2.10 | $1.90 |
| 2.5 in. | $8.40 | $5.80 | $4.45 | $3.85 | $3.25 | $2.55 | $2.30 |
| 3 in. | $9.80 | $6.90 | $5.30 | $4.60 | $3.90 | $3.05 | $2.75 |
Price per pin in USD, delivered with shipping and import duties included. Up to 8 colors, a shiny or antique gold, silver or copper finish, rubber clutch (two per pin on pins 1.5 in. and larger) and individual poly bag included.
How size affects the back
Pins up to about 1.25 inches use one post. Larger pins get two posts so they do not spin, each with its own clutch. Very thick or heavy pins may need locking backs.
Print the chart
Print the chart above at 100% scale (no "fit to page") and cut out the outlines, or place a coin next to your screen: a US quarter is about 0.96 inches (24.3 mm) across, almost exactly a 1-inch pin.
What fits at each size
| Size | Readable text | Logo detail | Good designs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 in. | One short word | Simple marks, monograms | Flags, initials, icons |
| 1 in. | One or two words | Most logos without taglines | Logos, ribbons, symbols |
| 1.25 in. | A short phrase | Logos with a simple tagline | Mascots, crests |
| 1.5 in. | Two short lines | Detailed logos | Illustrations, creator pins |
| 2 in. | Team name and year | Full crests | Trading pins with one add-on |
| 2.5 in. | Name, year and event | Complex scenes | Showpiece trading pins |
Mixing sizes in a set
A set of pins looks more deliberate when sizes relate to each other. For a series of years of service pins, keep every pin the same size. For a creator collection, a main pin at 1.5 inches with two 1-inch companion pins works well as a set. For trading pins, keep one size per season so the set looks consistent on a towel.
Size and weight
A 1-inch iron soft enamel pin weighs about 4 to 6 grams; a 2-inch pin about 15 to 20 grams; a zinc alloy or brass pin of the same size weighs more. Heavier pins pull on thin fabric, so pins over 1.5 inches get two posts and sit best on jackets, bags, lanyards and boards rather than T-shirts.
Size and shape
A square or circle fills its size completely, so a 1-inch circle looks larger than a 1-inch star or a 1-inch character with thin limbs. If your design is irregular, consider going up a quarter inch so it does not look smaller than intended next to other pins.
Converting inches and millimeters
1 inch is 25.4 mm. Quick conversions: 0.75 in. = 19 mm, 1 in. = 25 mm, 1.25 in. = 32 mm, 1.5 in. = 38 mm, 2 in. = 51 mm. Factories usually work in millimeters, and your proof shows both.
How to measure a pin you already have
Lay the pin face up on a ruler and measure the longest straight-line distance from edge to edge, ignoring the posts. Round to the nearest eighth of an inch. If you want a new pin to match an old one, measure both height and width and send them with a photo; we will match the proportions exactly.
Sizes by where the pin is worn
- Suit lapel: 0.75 to 1 inch, one post, butterfly or locking back
- Lanyard or badge reel: 0.75 to 1.25 inches, light enough not to flip the badge
- Backpack or tote: 1.25 to 2 inches, locking back
- Denim or leather jacket: 1 to 1.75 inches, locking back
- Hat: 0.75 to 1 inch, short post
- Trading towel or board: 1.75 to 2.5 inches
Written by the Enamelore team, who proof every order. Questions about this guide? Email hello@enamelore.com.
