FAQ - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Lapel pins have always played an important role in promoting a corporations or organizations identity. They are one of the most economical and visible ways of keeping your logo, your message, in front of your customers or the general public. A well crafted pin can make a small organization seem larger; even give it additional credibility in its marketplace. It can also be well used to reward, to create additional spirit in your group or club.

Lapel pins are a natural and visible means of raising awareness. Whether that awareness is to a particular cause or charity – or if it’s awareness of your corporation amongst your competitors – affordable lapel pins are perfect for creating the maximum volume of imagery when promotion is your goal.

• Product Branding – new product launches
• Corporate Identity
• Patriotic celebrations
• Tradeshow promotion as giveaways
• Collectibles & Gifts
• Recognize an Association / Organization Membership
• Reward volunteers
• School Awards
• Military & Police Recognition
• Employee Recognition
• Build Team Spirit and Pride in all sports – even using as Trader pins
• Fund Raising efforts
• Souvenirs of an experience or place
• Promote Community Spirit
• Fraternities / Societies / Sororities / Unions
• Friendship Circles or Informal Clubs

Actual production time will vary with process required to create your design. As well, the quantity, the size, and the number of colors also play a part. A typical order of 250 to 1,000 pins will normally be in the range of 3 to 5 weeks from your final art approval – BUT, should your event require faster deliver – we can normally accommodate 2 to 3 weeks or faster! We’ve been known to work miracles in just days!

You bet – why settle for anything less – express yourself. We make custom pins both easy and affordable.

Yes! There is a very good chance we can still pull it off. We offer rush service on many of our items. You may need to be flexible on your design criteria but please call ASAP to discuss possible solutions – and there most often will be at least one! You should have artwork ready to send in these cases to assure quickest turnaround.

Our preferred carrier is UPS – offering a wide variety of services to accommodate all schedules. Ground service is included with all orders. Whatever your deadline, we'll work with you to make sure it gets there on time.

All of our lines represent the best quality in their given category and price range. However, there are some categories that are more highly regarded from the recipient’s point of view. Generally speaking the Hard Enamel / Die Struck and of course the Precious Metal categories will provide the greatest respect as recognition rewards. Their processes and materials offer the greatest value and definition in the production of most designs.

Value can be very subjective depending on your design and expectations. The most popular of our processes, especially for designs with multiple colors, would be the Soft Enamel process. It delivers the definition of die striking along will the economical use of color matched epoxy colors. For more complicated graphic designs, with many elements too complicated for die striking; then the Printed pins might be your best bet. Finally, if you need no colors added and you need your pins ASAP – then it’s the domestic Pewter line.

It helps, but it’s not necessary. If your design is straightforward and you cannot provide the quality of artwork required for our processes, we’ll create it at no charge if we are chosen as supplier of your order. You can certainly speed the process by having many of the design issues looked after prior to our placing the order, but we can work with whatever you supply. Whether a rough drawing, corporate letterhead, digital images of your concept – we can pull it together for you. Generally, simple design work or changes to existing artwork are done at no charge. If you require multiple designs or conceptual drawings for your review and approval before selecting your supplier – then these services may carry a nominal fee. See our art requirements for greater detail.

Definitely, we can provide and ‘prototype sample’ of your design. However, depending on the process selected, there may have to be dies or moulds made in advance to provide you with that prototype. These dies or moulds would have to be charged for initially – but will be fully reimbursed if you approve the design, proceed with no change to the prototype, and place the minimum order required.

We stand behind the workmanship of our pins. If for some reason an error or defect in the product makes its way through our extensive quality control procedures, we will replace those items at no cost to you.

Given today’s marketplace, it’s a necessity for any forward thinking pin company. We have a couple of trusted domestic sources we depend upon to keep us in the clear when it comes to the environmental changes of today’s market. You can’t spend the time researching such things – let us look after those worries on your behalf. If you’re not getting that from your current supplier, who’s looking after your liability?

That depends on your design. If you have a complicated and color rich design that we need to source from reliable domestic manufacturers, it may be a little more expensive than our lines imported from Asia because of higher labor costs in North America. However, if you have a relatively simple design without color – or perhaps just an accent of antique black for contrast – then we can normally match overseas pricing with domestic supply where the contents of your products can be better assured.

Again, that really depends on the complexity and number of colors in your design. Any design that can be produced overseas can normally be done domestically – it really comes down to your schedule, commitment to the environment, and of course your budget.

We are continually researching new processes and suppliers so that we can offer our customers the maximum selection at the most affordable prices. We know that tomorrow calls for environmentally, as well as, economically sensitive products.

There are many ways to reach our experienced customer service staff. You can outline your order in a quick email and attach an image for reference / you can call our toll-free line to speak with our staff directly / send a quick fax of your requirement using same number shown on the website. Once we receive your request we’ll be in touch to sort out any questions or requirements before proceeding with your no-obligation quote or to the art stage. If you are placing an order, we will first confirm all pricing, production, shipping and payment information before proceeding – with again, no obligation on your part.

If you are already familiar with your chosen process, simply review the categories found in the left margin of our home page. If you would like to review your choices based on budget, time frame, environmental concerns, design requirements – then please send your questions to us via email (Sales@ThriftyPins.com) or contact one of our helpful service representative.

We accept most forms of electronic payment. VISA / MasterCard & American Express credit cards accepted, as well as Money Orders, Electronic transfer and Pay Pal. Company checks may be used in certain circumstances, but your delivery requirements must accommodate payment being received prior to ship date.

We accept just about all file formats. Please refer to our ‘Art Preferences’ for details  In general, all artwork should be sent as vector files (fonts outlined) preferably in ‘.pdf’ format. We can also accept Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. If sending any scans of your logos or images for new artwork, these should be at least 300 dpi in resolution.

If not specified, we will use our standard colors. If your design calls for specific colors, please specify these colors using the industry standard Pantone Color Matching System (PMS #). Every effort will be made to accommodate your specific choices. However, depending on your selected process or design, exact color-match may not be available and cannot be warranted in certain cases. You will be advised of any concerns as we proceed with your order. To get you started, here is a link to some standard colors.

Yes, we offer a very wide selection of fonts to accommodate most designs. If by chance you need something unique, you will need to furnish those in a suitable fashion – please refer to our ‘Art Preferences’