From Sketch to Shine: The Journey of Creating Our Unique Enamel Pins
At Enchanted Fae Realms, we're passionate about bringing unique and diverse characters to life through our enamel pins. Today, we're pulling back the curtain to give you a behind-the-scenes look at our pin creation process, from initial concept to the final product you hold in your hands. We'll use our striking seahorse merman pin as an example to guide you through each step.
Character Selection
Our goal is to create pins that are not only visually appealing but also represent diverse cultures and characters often overlooked in fantasy art. For example, our seahorse merman pin combines elements of African and aquatic mythology, resulting in a truly unique design.
The Design Process
Once we've chosen a character, we use software like Procreate to simplify the design. This step is crucial as we need to reduce the character to 3-5 colors and remove intricate details that might be difficult to represent in enamel.
In our seahorse merman pin, notice how we've maintained the character's distinct features while adapting the design to work well as an enamel pin.
Color Selection and Detailing
We carefully select colors using a Pantone Color guide to ensure accuracy across different productions. For our seahorse merman, we chose rich, vibrant colors that pop against any background. We also incorporate special effects, like the glitter in the tail, to add extra flair to the design.
Manufacturing Process
Once we're happy with the design, we send it to our manufacturer for a quote and initial proof. This proof includes a breakdown of the mold, color sections, and any screen-printed details.
Final Approval and Production
After reviewing the proof and making any necessary adjustments, we give final approval, and production begins. This process can take a month or more, depending on the manufacturer's schedule and the complexity of the design.
Quality Control and Customer Feedback
When we receive the finished pins, we carefully inspect each one. While small variations are part of the handmade charm of enamel pins, we ensure that each pin meets our quality standards.
Our customers have been thrilled with the results. As one happy buyer said about our seahorse merman pin:
"This pin is amazing quality! The metal is nice and thick, and the colors are bright. Looking forward to showing off this hunk!”
Conclusion
Creating enamel pins is a labor of love that combines artistry, technical skill, and attention to detail. While it can be challenging at times, seeing our unique characters come to life in these miniature works of art makes it all worthwhile. We hope this behind-the-scenes look has given you a new appreciation for the enamel pins in your collection!
