A – D
- AQL 2.5
- Acceptable Quality Limit per ISO 2859-1. Our standard inspection level — statistically rigorous sampling rejects batches with too many defects.
- Antique finish
- Plating that mimics aged metal: antique gold, antique brass, antique silver. Achieved by oxidizing the plated layer then partially polishing high-points.
- Butterfly clutch
- The standard pin back: two flexible metal wings that squeeze a pin post. Cheap, secure, replaceable.
- CMYK Offset
- Four-color process printing on button badges, paper cards, and the substrate under epoxy domes. Photo-realistic.
- Cloisonne
- Premium enamel work where colored enamel fills metal compartments (cloisons), then is ground flush. Jewelry-grade durability.
- Die-struck
- Pin or charm stamped from a steel die without enamel filling — pure recessed/raised metal relief. Heritage aesthetic.
- DDP
- Delivered Duty Paid. We handle export docs, shipping, customs and last-mile delivery. The simplest Incoterm for buyers.
E – M
- Enamel (soft)
- Color paste filled into metal channels and baked. Surface is slightly below metal lines — you can feel the texture. Most common pin type.
- Enamel (hard)
- Same process as soft but baked, refilled, baked again, then polished flush to a glossy mirror surface. Premium feel.
- Epoxy dome
- Crystal-clear resin coat over a flat printed surface. Adds depth, gloss and scratch resistance. Used on button badges, acrylic charms, photo magnets.
- FOB
- Free On Board. We get the goods to a Chinese seaport; you arrange shipping. Cheapest at unit level but you handle logistics.
- Hangtag card
- The cardboard backing card pinned through a packaged pin. Carries branding, barcode, and gift-message space.
- MOQ
- Minimum Order Quantity. Our standard is 100 pcs per design; some products (PVC keychains, button badges) require 200-300.
- Magnetic clutch
- Replaces butterfly clutch with two rare-earth magnets — attaches without piercing fabric. Premium feel, ~$0.40 extra per pin.
N – Z
- Nickel-free
- Plating without nickel undercoat — required for EU markets and skin-contact products. Adds 5-10% cost.
- ODM
- Original Design Manufacturing. We design from your brief; you own the artwork. Best for resellers without an in-house design team.
- OEM
- Original Equipment Manufacturing. You provide design; we manufacture. Standard for brand owners.
- Pantone Coated
- The Pantone color standard for printed and coated materials — what we match our enamel and print colors against.
- Plating
- Electrochemical deposition of a thin metal layer over the base metal. We offer 12+ finishes: gold, silver, rose-gold, antique-brass, gunmetal, copper, nickel, chrome, dyed-black, rainbow, two-tone, and custom.
- REACH
- EU regulation on chemical safety. Heavy-metal release tested in third-party labs; certificate included with EU-bound shipments.
- Rubber clutch
- Soft rubber alternative to butterfly clutch. Easier to grip with arthritic hands; preferred by senior-citizen recipients.
- Safety-pin back
- The traditional button-badge mechanism — a sprung steel pin attached to the back. Cheap, immediate, no separate clutch needed.
- Sample fee
- $30-80 charge for a pre-production physical sample. Refunded against your bulk order.
- SMETA
- Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit, 4-Pillar version covers labour, health-and-safety, environment, business ethics. We pass annually.
- Tooling fee
- One-time charge for cutting your custom steel die or 3D mold. $80-200; waived above 1,000 pcs.