SPORTS & TRADING PINS
Custom Sports and Trading Pins for Teams, Leagues and Events
We make custom lapel pins bulk for sports teams, leagues and tournament trading: baseball, softball, hockey, soccer, basketball and more. Trading sizes run from 1.25 to 2.25 inches, with metal lines down to 0.2 mm; at 1.5 inches, a team name set at 2 mm still reads. Orders start at 100 pcs, artwork is free, proofs take 24 hours, samples 7-10 days and bulk 15-18 days. Send the sport, size, quantity and event date for a quote in 12 hours.
Team trading pins in different sizes and builds, ready for a tournament.
Since 2010
Focused on custom pins
30,000+ pcs a day
In-house production
MOQ 100 pcs
Start your project easily
Bulk 15-18 days
Counted from approval
1. Which Sports Pin Project Are You Ordering?
Start with the project type. The five types below carry different quantities, artwork, backings and deadlines. Choosing the wrong one adds work at every later step.
Team Identity Pins
Club crests, school teams and association members. Worn all season; quantity follows the roster plus parents and coaches. Butterfly clutch is the default, and packing can be split by person.
Tournament Trading Pins
Exchanged with opposing teams during a tournament. Quantity follows one pin per player per opposing team; each pin goes in its own bag; the backing has to hold and be easy to remove; the team name has to read at arm’s length.
Event and Host Committee Pins
Host committees, age divisions, years and volunteers. Usually a series of 3-5 designs; quantity follows players, staff and volunteers.
League and Association Pins
Many teams, many designs, one palette. One design and one mold per team; the back stamp, plating batch, color palette and packing plan can be shared.
Booster, Alumni and Fundraiser Pins
Parents, alumni, sponsors and fundraisers. Smaller runs; a higher unit budget is normal; backing cards, gift boxes and numbered editions fit.
Not Sure Which Type?
Send the sport, roster and event date with your quote request. We map the project before artwork starts, so the size, build and packing match the way the pins will be used.
Medals sit on custom medals; coins sit on custom challenge coins;police, military and school identity badges sit on custom badges; long-service coach and official awards sit on employee recognition pins. This page covers lapel-size team and trading pins only.
2. What the Metal Can Hold at Trading Size
Size is the first irreversible decision. Once it is fixed, the number of words, the build and the outline options follow. The two tables below show what each size can hold.
The Trading Size Range
Trading pins usually run 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0 and 2.25 inches. 1.75 inches is the common choice for most teams; 1.5 suits a simple crest; 2.0 and above suit a detailed mascot. Smaller 0.75-1.0 inch pins are available for simple club marks but are not recommended for trading. 2.5-3.0 inches sit outside our regular range and are quoted case by case.
|
Size |
mm |
Typical use |
What fits |
What to drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.25″ |
32 |
Simple crests, budget first |
Team name + one simple mark |
Year, number, fine lines |
|
1.5″ |
38 |
Most club crests |
Team name + simple mascot |
Small text, busy background |
|
1.75″ |
44 |
Default trading size |
Team name + mascot + year |
Very fine text |
|
2.0″ |
51 |
Detailed mascots, event pins |
Team name + mascot + year + number |
Almost none; watch line width |
|
2.25″ |
57 |
Complex art, top of standard range |
Full element set |
Almost none; higher cost |
Artwork shown at finished size: what fits at 1.5 and 1.75 inches.
The Numbers Behind the Artwork
Raised metal lines go down to 0.2 mm. Soft enamel fill channels are 0.3 mm; imitation hard enamel is 0.5 mm. Set team names at 2 mm cap height, with 1.5 mm as the floor. Below 1.5 mm, a 0.3 mm fill channel closes on curves and corners. When that happens, go up one size first, then consider printing.
|
Element |
Minimum |
Recommended |
If below the minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Team name |
1.5 mm |
2 mm |
Enlarge or switch to print |
|
Year / number |
1.5 mm |
2 mm |
Move to backing card or dangler |
|
Small print |
Not recommended |
– |
Remove or move to card |
|
Metal line |
0.2 mm |
0.25-0.3 mm |
Thicken or simplify |
|
Enamel channel |
Soft 0.3 / imitation hard 0.5 mm |
– |
Change build or enlarge |
Line width, text height and enamel channels checked before the mold is cut.
What Fits at Each Size
At 1.5 inches, keep the team name and one main mark; move the year and number to a backing card or a dangler. At 1.75 inches, team name, mascot and year is the most stable combination. At 2.0 inches, add a number or event name. At 2.25 inches, complex art fits, but the artwork has to be rechecked against the 0.2 mm metal line.
When to Change the Size or the Build
Too much text or too dense a mark: go up one size. If it still does not read, switch to print. A single-color metal crest suits die striking. A smooth surface and a higher budget point to imitation hard enamel. The most expensive build is not the right answer; the right answer is the build that reads at the chosen size.
3. Which Build Fits Your Team
Size fixed, the next decision is the build. Four builds cover most team projects; this section only covers which artwork suits which build. Full process detail sits on the linked pages.
|
Build |
Surface |
Detail |
Fits |
Cost feel |
Lead time feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Soft enamel |
Raised lines, recessed color |
Clear blocks, medium lines |
Crests, clubs, trading pins |
Low |
Standard |
|
Printed |
Smooth, full color |
Gradients, photos, small text |
Complex logos, small names, many colors |
Medium |
Standard |
|
Die struck |
Bare metal, plating and relief |
Single color, metal character |
Single-color crests, commemorative pins |
Medium |
Standard |
|
Imitation hard enamel |
Flat, polished |
Clear blocks, fine lines soften |
Crests needing a smooth surface |
Medium-high |
Slightly longer |
Soft Enamel
Raised metal lines separate the colors, and the enamel sits slightly below the metal. A crest with clear color blocks and a bit of texture suits it. Many trading pins use soft enamel.
Printed Pins
UV or offset printing has no metal line limit, so gradients, photographs and small text are possible. If a team name will not fit at 1.5 inches, or the logo carries many colors, print is the route.
Die Struck Pins
Struck from sheet metal, with no color or color only in the recess. Plating, polishing and antique finishes create the contrast. Single-color crests and metal commemorative pins fit.
Imitation Hard Enamel
The surface is ground and polished flat, with color level with the metal line. It reads close to true hard enamel at a lower cost. We do not make true hard enamel (cloisonné); when a smooth surface is needed, imitation hard is the option. For sculpted mascots, see die cast lapel pins.
4. Designing a Series for Teams and Leagues
One team and one league are two different orders. A single team is about artwork and upgrades; a league is about molds, proof rounds and staged delivery. This section covers the artwork first, then the multi-team plan.
What Goes on the Pin
Priority: team name, mascot or crest, year, event name, player number. When space runs out, drop the event name first, then the year; keep the team name at 1.5 mm or above. Move the number to a dangler or a second pin. A custom shaped lapel pin can follow the crest outline, but it adds a trim die and artwork review time.
Upgrades That Survive Trading
Common upgrades are glitter, spinner, dangler, slider and blinker. Add one or two; more will cover the team name. A dangler can carry the year or number and free the main face.
One Team, One Series
A single team can run 2-3 designs: a main pin, a parent or coach pin, and a number pin. A shared back stamp or edition number makes them read as one set.
A team series: main pin, parent pin and number pin sharing a back stamp.
How Molds Work Across Teams
Every design needs its own mold. Twelve teams mean twelve molds; forty teams mean forty. The mold cannot be shared. What can be shared is the back stamp, plating batch, color palette, packing plan and shipping schedule. For a league, lock the palette and back stamp first, then proof and ship by division or venue in waves.
|
Program |
Designs |
Molds |
Proof rounds |
Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Single team, single design |
1 |
1 |
1 |
One team, one event |
|
Single-team series |
2-3 |
2-3 |
1-2 |
Main pin + parent or number pin |
|
Event series |
3-5 |
3-5 |
2 |
Host committee, age groups, years |
|
League (8-12 teams) |
8-12 |
8-12 |
2-3 staged |
League or association |
|
Large league (20-40 teams) |
20-40 |
20-40 |
3-4 staged |
Large association, multiple venues |
The mold cannot be shared; the back stamp, plating batch, color palette and packing plan can.
5. Keeping Team Colors Consistent Across Reorders
Color drift breaks a team identity. We treat color as a record that can be filed, not a one-off match.
01
Match the Jersey
Send a Pantone number, a jersey photo or a fabric swatch. A screen color is not a reference. A Pantone number is the cleanest reference; without one, send a physical swatch and we match to it.
02
Fix the Plating
The same color reads differently on bright gold, bright silver, black nickel and antique plating. Fix the plating first, then the color. Dark plating swallows dark artwork; light plating gives more contrast.
03
File the Record
Color reference, plating, approved sample and mold stay on file for three years. A reorder starts from that record instead of a new guess. We do not promise a Delta E; we match against the approved sample.
04
Share a League Palette
A league can share one palette, with each team changing only its primary or secondary color. Twelve teams do not need twelve separate color matches.
Pantone references matched to enamel fills and plating.
|
Step |
You send |
We do |
You approve |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Color number or swatch |
Match and draw |
Color and artwork |
|
2 |
Artwork |
Proof |
Sample color |
|
3 |
Sample |
File |
Mass production |
|
4 |
Reorder |
Pull the file |
Run directly |
6. Backing, Packing and Delivery to the Event
On game day, a coach does not want to open bags, sort pins and hunt for backings. Backing and packing are decided at order time, not after delivery.
Backing by Wear
Butterfly clutch is the standard part (11 mm) for lanyards, hats, uniforms and trading. Rubber clutch suits younger players and frequent attach and remove. Magnet suits display boards and adults, not thick clothing, lanyards or backpacks. A safety pin is a backup; it is less secure for trading.
|
Backing |
Typical use |
Note |
Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Butterfly clutch |
Lanyards, hats, uniforms, trading |
Standard 11 mm; most common |
Fabric that should not be pierced |
|
Rubber clutch |
Younger players, frequent use |
Easy on and off; still pierces |
High-value collectibles |
|
Magnet |
Display boards, adults, no pinholes |
Grip depends on fabric thickness |
Thick clothing, lanyards, backpacks |
|
Safety pin |
Backup, temporary wear |
Loosens in trading |
Secure trading |
Backing options compared for lanyards, hats and trading day.
A printed backing card with the team name and number.
Packing by Player or by Team
For trading day, pack each pin in its own poly bag so the plating is not scratched and a child can take one at a time. A per-player pack of five works for a roster handout. A labeled team bag suits a team mom managing the set. A printed backing card with team name and number suits retail or keepsake use. See packaging options for the full range.
|
Pack |
What it is |
Typical use |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Individual bag |
One pin per bag |
Trading day, plating protection |
Adds packing labor |
|
Per-player pack |
Five pins per bag |
Roster handout |
Needs an accurate roster |
|
Team bag + label |
One bag per team |
Central control |
Needs sorting at the venue |
|
Backing card |
Printed team name and number |
Retail, keepsake |
Adds card cost |
Counting Back from the Event Date
Work back from the event: shipping, bulk 15-18 days, pre-production sample, artwork freeze. In the US peak season (May-July), order 6-8 weeks before the event; in a regular window, 6 weeks. Rush is not a default promise; it is quoted case by case.
|
Scenario |
Order by |
Why |
Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Peak May-July |
8 weeks before |
Production + shipping + buffer |
Schedule fills; late orders are hard to insert |
|
Regular |
6 weeks before |
Production + shipping |
Shipping delay eats the buffer |
|
Multi-team or series |
8-10 weeks before |
Multiple proofs, staged delivery |
More approval rounds |
|
Rush |
Case by case |
Not a default promise |
May not fit the schedule |
Shipping is quoted per order; 6-8 weeks is a planning window with buffer, not a delivery guarantee.
7. Proofing, Production and Quality Control
Before bulk, there is one low-cost chance to correct a mistake: the proof approval. We make that a step, not a glance at a screen.
Proof at Actual Size
Print the artwork at 1:1 and read the team name and number from three feet away. A zoomed screen is not a reference. Check spelling, color, plating, size, backing and packing. Revise only the item that was flagged; do not reopen approved areas. See artwork review for the full check.
From Mold to Finished Pin
Mold, stamping or casting, plating, enamel or print, assembly, inspection, packing. Each step has a confirmation point: artwork, proof, pre-production sample, bulk, pre-shipment.
What We Check Before Packing
Clutch assembly and pull
Burrs and sharp edges
Color and plating
Artwork alignment
Quantity and packing
Multi-stage QC with a pre-shipment check; photos or video can be provided. Pull force is checked by batch, not published as a number. See quality control for the process.
A pre-shipment check on a team pin run.
8. Order Quantity and Cost Drivers
Quantity decides whether the team has enough to trade, and it is the first price variable. Estimate the count first, then look at where the money goes.
Two Ways to Estimate
Method one, opponent-based: roster x opposing teams x 1.1. Method two, per-player: five pins per player (four to trade, one to keep). Use the larger number, then add 10-20 for coaches, parents and damage.
A Quantity Table
The table uses the opponent-based method plus 10% reserve. Twelve players on a 40-team event comes to 528; add 12-20 and the order lands at 540-550.
|
Roster |
6 teams |
12 teams |
20 teams |
40 teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 players |
66 |
132 |
220 |
440 |
|
12 players |
80 |
159 |
264 |
528 |
|
15 players |
99 |
198 |
330 |
660 |
Pins packed by player after a quantity plan.
What Moves the Price
Size, quantity, build, color count or fill steps, plating, upgrades, mold count, packing, shipping and date. Each item can be added or removed; we do not publish a fixed unit price, we quote the combination.
How to Get a Quote in 12 Hours
Send the sport, size, quantity, build, event date, artwork or reference. If something is missing, we ask. With complete information, a detailed quote goes out in 12 hours and artwork in 24.
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Sports and Trading Pins
These are the questions teams and leagues ask before ordering. The last one covers after-sales.
SEND YOUR TEAM DETAILS
Ready to plan a team order?
Send the sport, size, quantity and event date. We return a written spec and quote within 12 hours, with artwork in 24.
· One quote per design
· Size, line and text checks on the drawing
· Samples 7-10 days, bulk 15-18 days
Start Your Trading Pin Order
Send the sport, size, quantity, event date and artwork. With complete information, a quote goes out in 12 hours and artwork in 24. Orders start at 100 pcs.