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Youth baseball teams have relied on baseball trading pins for years. They’re a great way to show team spirit and pride. Players love to collect and display pins at tournaments throughout the sporting season. Outside of the actual games, trading pins can be one of the most exciting events at a tournament. On top of this, many baseball tournaments even have special ceremonies dedicated to pin trading. All of the teams get together and it’s a great opportunity for players to interact with umpires, coaches, and each other in a relaxed, enjoyable environment. Plus, if your team comes equipped with a special, unique pin, you can create a memory that will stick out for years to come. 

Types of Baseball Trading Pins

At Baseball Trading Pins, we specialize in a handful of fully custom trading pins that are sure to wow players and coaches alike. Primarily, we work with four different kinds of pins. These include: 

On top of this, we are always willing to deck out your pins with some extra flash. For a pin that’s going to be at the top of every player’s trade list, we can add some additional bling for a low per-pin cost. 

We also frequently offer pin specials so you can score some incredible discounts on popular pin types and styles.

Setting a Trading Pin Budget

For every baseball trading pin, there’s a corresponding price. Before you go crazy with your designs, sizes, and add-ons, you’re going to want to set a firm budget. It’ll help you from spending too much and it will make sure that you’re getting the right products for the right price. There’s an easy way to find out how much you’re willing to spend for each individual pin. 

First, consider the add-ons you want and factor those into your total budget. Remember that, even though some of these only cost ten cents, that number will add up if you’re buying for a larger team. 

Next, consider the level of detail you want. More detail will possibly result in you choosing a soft enamel pin which can add to your final budget. Intricate displays should be discussed with your designer so you can get a ballpark (pun intended) figure for the cost. 

Then, once you’ve added all of these numbers up, factor in some extra padding. This way, even if every player on your team trades a pin, you’ll still have some leftover for commemorative occasions, special events, or simply for the memories. Plus, you want to make sure coaches and umpires get pins too. It’s half of the fun. 

When you have your final number, you can then divide that by the number of players on your team. This will give you a fairly accurate estimation of how much you are going to spend on each pin. If it’s feasible, you’ll want to factor in some wiggle room so you can ensure that you are able to get some extras or do additional bonuses if need be. 

Picking the Right Designer

While there are dozens of companies on the market, few - if any - come close to the quality, professionalism, and attention to detail that we have at Baseball Trading Pins. Our designers work with teams of all sizes to craft the ideal pins and ensure that they match up to your needs. 

We’ll walk you through every step of the design process. If you have an existing design idea, that’s excellent. Bring it to us and we will help you finesse it, choose the right pin type, and suggest add-ons that will take your design to the next level.

On the other hand, if you’re not sure what your design will look like, we’re here to help as well. Whether you have a general concept or you’re starting for scratch we can help your baseball trading pin dreams become a reality. And as far as the artwork is concerned, don’t worry for one second. All of our custom artwork comes included in the final cost so you don’t have to worry about the premium designer fees that some other companies like to charge. 

We can talk through your budget, suggest the right style of pins to meet your price point, and help you work out shipping so your pins arrive well ahead of your next baseball tournament. It’s an exciting step for both you and your players and it’s sure to create memories that will last for a lifetime. 

If you’re ready to learn more about the baseball trading pin background and our design process, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you make an informed decision that will result in a pin that every player in the league will want in their collection. Fill out our quick no obligation form to get started.

When you’re looking for a home run of a baseball trading pin, you’re likely to be presented with a wide variety of options. Depending on the artist or company you contact, you may end up discussing different designs, shapes, sizes, and colors. As if that didn’t present enough options, you’ll probably end up discussing different kinds of pins as well. While it’s easy to assume a baseball trading pin comes in one standard material, that’s far from the case. 

In fact, there are two distinct kinds of pins that can have a major impact on your overall design. These are called soft enamel and offset printed pins. While they have some general similarities, they both serve different purposes during the overall design process. 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s important for you to understand the fundamentals of the two kinds of baseball trading pins so you can learn why different styles work for different kinds of pins. 

Offset printed pin essentials: This process allows for bleeds and blends of colors. This is similar to the tactics that are used in magazines. It allows for a more rich mix of different colors while preventing the overall effect from looking muddy or unclear. The colors are printed in the traditional CMYK process which allows for many color options. If you want your pin to reflect each and every color of the rainbow, that’s completely within the realm of possibility. 

This style can be used for complex art and photo reproduction, too. Offset printed pins are excellent choices for really intricate, unique pieces because there are so many potential outcomes for how the final product might look. 

As mentioned, an unlimited amount of colors can be used. This allows for designs that are only restricted by how imaginative you are. Offset printed pins can get so detailed and exciting that you’re surprised that such a work of art can fit on a relatively small surface. 

Compared to a soft enamel pin, you’ll likely choose an offset printed pin for more complicated designs, photo reproductions, and high-color pins. Of course, there are plenty of reasons to choose a soft enamel pin, too. 

The difference between a soft enamel and offset printed pin
Difference Between Soft Enamel and Offset Printed

Soft enamel pin basics: The design is stamped out from a sheet of metal. If you think of a blacksmith hammering a hot piece of metal to work it into shape, a soft enamel pin uses similar concepts. The stamping leaves recessed areas, or pools. These show the general form of the design and give a vague idea of what the final product might look like. 

After this process, those recessed areas and pools become integral to the design and are filled with enamel. The enamel is baked at a lower temperature. Unlike hard enamel, the areas of color rest below the metal strip surface, which can be felt when you run your finger over the surface. It adds a bit more texture to the general pin and it creates a more tactile experience than some other design methods. 

While it is easy enough to think of soft enamel pins as more “simple,” they’re anything but. You can still achieve a good level of design from a soft enamel pin and, in many ways, this type of pin is considered more “traditional” than other types of pins. When you think of a baseball trading pin, there’s a strong possibility that you’re picturing a soft enamel pin. 

The soft enamel designs are true classics and they look excellent alongside any pin collection as well as on any team uniform. Of course, your final pin is going to depend heavily on your final design. 

The difference between a soft enamel and offset printed pin
The difference between a soft enamel and offset printed pin

Choosing a design: While you may be interested in a specific type of pin, it’s important to understand that the end result is ultimately influenced by your design. Of course, you can certainly meet with a designer to discuss your pin preference. You have to remember, though, that your design ultimately decides what style of pin will be fabricated. 

There are a few things that you should have in mind when you’re getting ready to meet with a pin designer. First, you should have a general idea of your design. This will give the artist a framework to build off of. Even if you don’t have any sketches or designs on hand, it’s a good idea to at least have a concept. Any good artist will be prepared to do some initial designs and sketches to help finalize what your pin could end up looking like. This is an essential part of the total design process. 

On top of that, you should have a solid budget established. By setting a budget, you can work with your designer to find a trading pin that will fit in with your precise financial needs. Your designer will make smart, economical suggestions to help you end up with a product that you and your team will love. 

Luckily, at Baseball Trading Pins, we are experts at the design and fabrication of pins. No matter what kind of design interests you or how you envision your pin, we will work with you until you’re satisfied. On top of that, we always include free artwork so you don’t have to worry that you’re paying premium prices for the design as well as the pin. Everything is included. 

If you’re ready to discuss designs and pin types, we’re here to help. Our team of pros at Baseball Trading Pins knows all about the design process and we can help you make the best decisions so you end up with a product that truly speaks to your personality. When you want to develop a pin that will bring back memories for years to come, Baseball Trading Pins is the way to go.

Contact us today to learn more about the design process or even request a free consultation. We can’t wait to help you knock this pin out of the park. 

Someone thought long and hard about your baseball team's logo. They probably envisioned it being printed on shirts and hats and maybe even as a bumper sticker. But have you thought about turning your team logo into a baseball pin?

There are a few good reasons why adding trading pins can work in your favor on many levels for your team.

A good baseball pin is durable, painted and sealed so that the colors don't fade or chip with use. And that's great considering so many people will have the chance to see your team's logo because of the pin!

 

Give Your Team Worthy Memorabilia

Pins are an easy way for kids or other fans of your baseball team to show support. A baseball pin can be attached to a collar or a shirt; it can be pinned to jean pockets or stuck onto a bookbag or other luggage.

Supporters of your team will likely sport their pins on gamedays, traveling from the stands to the vendors and back again while showing off your baseball trading pin.

Even when they aren't at the games, team supporters can wear a baseball pin out to strike up conversations and draw a little more attention to your team. Regardless of where it's worn, the pin is like a traveling marketing piece showcasing the ongoing support of your baseball team.

Fans Can Get Into Baseball Pin Trading

If you haven't heard of the world of pin trading, then you have been missing out on a practical addition to the sporting world.

You might have heard about pin trading at theme parks, birthday parties, and even the Olympic Games, but baseball games are a perfect time, too.

Pin trading allows for kids (or adults, we're not judging) a chance to interact with either fellow supporters or those from another team. Pin traders will meet before or after a game and trade pins for others that they prefer.

Pin trading is especially popular for little league baseball teams, where kids build their own networks of friends based on the trading game. Similar to any other collectible (like coins, cards, toys, etc.), it's something to take pride in.

Players and fans can get involved and develop relationships with people they might not have otherwise. And if you do your trading pin right, you might discover that your team can become a trend during baseball trading season.

Boost Team Morale With Baseball Pins

Players endure a lot during baseball season: the physical aches of practices and games, the time and energy required for the sport, the taunts of rival teams, living up to expectations... it's a lot.

What wyou can do to help your baseball team is bring out their fans and show love and support by making customized pins for their team.

When they feel they have fans who support them and are wearing their customized baseball pins, you might find that their performance goes up.

Where to Get Started

If you're interested in taking your baseball pins to the next step for your baseball team, definitely consider a reliable pin company that makes quality products. Our company, Baseball Trading Pins, has been a leader in pin manufacturing since 2003. We have  helped thousands of baseball teams!  We have a talented team of artists and knowledgable customer care team to help you every step of the way with your next pin design.

Contact us today for a quote or browse through our blog to learn more about trading pins! You can also call us at: 1-888-998-1746

How to Maximize Tradability of your Baseball Trading Pins

Hello Pin Traders! Today’s post is very special, one you may not expect to see from a trading pin company. Today we’re going to speak to methods, some more well-known than others, to increase the popularity of your trading pin while saving you and your team money!

First, a definition:

Tradability – Not a real word but a term we use at BaseballTradingPins that refers to how well a pin trades at the tournament. Some tournaments will encourage 1 for 1 trading, but inevitably the laws of supply & demand will always take over, as soon as trading starts certain baseball pins gain popularity and will go for 2, 4, 8, sometimes over 10 pins per trade. This article is going to talk about 4 ways customers can increase tradability:

Tradability Route 1: Trading Pin Size & Add-ons

The phrase ‘Go Big or Go Home’ has some meaning when it comes to baseball pin trading. The most common size for a baseball trading pin is 2.0”, however 1.5” and 1.75” are also fairly common. Teams looking to stand out will go with 2.5”-3.0” pins, sometimes even larger. A larger sports trading pin can accommodate more detail, and also more…

Upgrades! Add-ons such as glitter, crystals, blinkers, or add on pins like sliders, spinners, or danglers can really enhance the appeal of a pin. Larger pins, and those with multiple upgrades, however, can add up in price quick.

West LA Bruins Baseball Trading Pin Design
West LA Bruins Soft Enamel Trading Pin Example

Tradability Route 2: Design Two Trading Pins

A popular route for teams going to Cooperstown is designing two pins, usually termed a ‘standard team pin’ and a ‘limited edition pin’.

The standard pin is typically 2.0” or less and bought at a little less than the quantity needed for each kid to trade with all teams at the tournament.

The limited edition pin is typically bigger than 2.0” and will have 2 or more upgrades. As the name suggests, the limited edition pin is bought in fewer quantity than the standard pin. (Customer Recommendation: we can laser etch the number of each pin on the back to further show the limited availability: 001/200, 002/200…200/200)

Baseball Trading Pins

Tradability Route 3: Versions of your Trading Pins

This approach uses aspects of the three prior routes, buying two pins, on more limited but with upgrades, but instead of being two different pins, these pins utilize the same mold

Before looking at this further deeper, it’s worth discussing how pins get their cost. The most expensive part of a pin order, accounting for 10-30% of the cost, is the custom mold. The mold is machined out of a hardened steel and is used to stamp the individual pins. The key to cost savings in creating two differing pins is to utilize the same mold for each version of the pin. For example, ordering  500 pins of two different designs (and two different molds) each would be priced at the 500 pin order pricing. Using the same mold, using the same design for two editions (same mold) would be priced at the 1000 pin price break, which can amount to a couple hundred dollars in savings!

So how do you achieve this? Let me show you multiple ways:

  • Have an all metal version of the pin. For this we would recommend either a) sandblasting (to create contrast between raised and lowered surfaces), or two tone plating (which has different metal plating’s for the raised and lowered surfaces)
  • Swapping out color for another color or glitter. We have teams do all black enamel (which looks really sharp with polished brass plating), or simply swap out a plain enamels for glitter or glow in the dark enamels.
  • Cyclone baseball trading Pin
    trading pin

    To find out more about these pins, click the red ‘Get Pricing Now’ button below, or give us a call at 888-998-1746 to get started on your teams design today!

    Baseball Trading Pins Pricing

    Hello Pin Traders! Today’s post talks about another one of our most frequently asked questions: How many baseball trading pins should we buy for our team?

    The goal in buying baseball trading pins is to maximize the fun and memories your kids will share during pin trading, while minimizing the amount of cost to mom and dad. Unfortunately, most tournaments don’t provide you with guidelines when it comes to buying sports pins

    A rule of thumb we’ve developed over the years after getting feedback from parents post tournament is the following:

    (# of kids on your team) x (number of teams in the tournament) + 5-10%.

    Theoretically, this gives every kid on your team the opportunity to trade with every team in the tournament, or come away with a full set per say. A few reasons for the 5-10% extra:

    1) Parents recommend having a few for younger siblings to trade, happy kids = happy parents.

    2) Kids will want a couple extra to give or trade with friends.

    3) Always good to have a couple extra to make up for lost pins, kids do the darndest things

    There are not many reasons to buy more than this equation, the only instance we see is with a team that knows it will be playing in multiple tournaments.

    There are however a few reasons to buy less.

    [WRGF id=368]

    To learn about a few proven design methods that will allow you to buy less without necessary having to fork over more cost per pin, check out another article of ours on pin tradability

    To find out more about trading pins, click the red ‘Get Pricing Now’ button below, or give us a call at 888-998-1746 to get started on your teams design today!

    Baseball Trading Pins Pricing

    Hello Pin Traders! Today’s post talks about one of our most frequently asked questions: What’s the difference between all the baseball trading pin styles that we offer?

    As you’ve seen on our website there are 3 common types of Pins: Soft Enamel, Offset Printed, and Quick Pins. Let’s take a quick dive into each so you can make the right decision for your team.

    baseball trading pin styles

    Let’s start with Soft Enamel Trading Pins

    The Official name is Die Struck Soft Enamel, ‘Die Struck’ coming from the manufacturing process in which a custom die (with your pin design machined into the surface) strikes strips of iron metal to produce your individual pins 1 by 1.

    Some Quick Facts on Soft Enamel:

    Offset Printed Pins

    Although less common than Soft Enamel, Offset Printed Baseball Pins have three advantages customers find versus soft enamel:

    1. They’re made quicker -10 days or less
    2. They cost less – typically 20-50 cents per pin less
    3. And they offer more design flexibility – no lines needed to separate colors

    With our experienced design staff, we’ll make sure they trade just as well as soft enamel!

    baseball trading pin styles

    Here are some Quick Facts on Offset Printed Pins:

    Quick Pins

    As the name suggests, Quick Pins offer the convenience of a quick turnaround, made right here in the USA. If you’re in need of pins the same week, we’ve got you covered. Facts on Quick Pins:

    To Summarize, Soft Enamel Pins are the most common & popular trading pins, Offset Printed Pins are perfect for times tight on time or budget but unwilling to sacrifice on look or quality, and Quick Pins are available to get you out of a time pinch for pins.

    To find out more about these pins, click the red ‘Get Pricing Now’ button below, or give us a call at 888-998-1746 to get started on your teams design today!

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