Do you actively use Instagram, Tumblr, or Facebook, or any other social media platform?
Do you have internet access on your PC, laptop, or mobile phone?
Are you a current resident of the United States or even Earth?
If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions above, you must have heard of enamel pins.
If you’re still a bit vague on what enamel pins are, perhaps this description will help:
“Enamel pin (sometimes referred to as lapel pin) is worn or attached to a piece of fabric, such as jackets, bags, caps, etc. Lapel pins highlight the user’s association with a movement or cause or an organization”.
Pretty slick, huh?
It gets even better. Lapel pins are a powerful form of self-expression, and they are very versatile. They can be designed from scratch to any buyer’s preference.
In a world where fashion trends change quicker than the blink of an eye, lapel pins have stood the test of time. Recently, their popularity has grown massively, and everyone is looking to capitalize on this opportunity.
From medium-sized businesses to independent designers working from home, people are making profits from this emerging market.
Nothing will stop you from carving out a niche for yourself in this space. Also, because lapel pins are such an expressive medium, you can create all sorts of designs, illustrations, or typography.
Just put on your thinking cap, grab a pencil and sketch pad, and get to work!
Just A Few Pointers Before You Start
As you’ve been informed, you can create all sorts of designs and motifs with an enamel pin. However, there are a few details you should know before you start.
Contrary to popular belief, art requires planning. The conception stage where you play around with ideas is where you should iron out all the finer details.
If you think of all the problems you can face beforehand, the execution stage (where you make the art, not kill someone) will be easy.
Enamel pins can either be soft enamel or hard enamel, depending on the design. Hard enamel pins have a beautiful, glossy finish and are more durable.
Soft enamel pins have a rough finish, but if designed right, they create a 3-D effect. They are meant for tough handling and are cheaper to make.
Keep this in mind when you’re busy sketching out an idea for an enamel pin.
You can also refer to Enamelpins.com, an enamel pins maker, which will clearly tell you how to differentiate between hard and soft enamel pins, and how to make them.
Back to Business
Feeling pinspired yet?
You should be. The enamel pindustrial (I had to!) complex is burgeoning with exciting possibilities. The global demand for lapel pins is at an all-time high. Plus, online shopping platforms make it easier for you to connect with potential customers anywhere in the world.
You should also think about investing in an online website (easier than you think) to market your brand and use it as your very own e-commerce website.
If you’re worried about all the costs, don’t be too concerned. Here’s why – the man behind “Pinlord ” says that it’s possible to start a small fashion-related business in less than two hundred dollars. He even recommends utilizing social media apps like Instagram to sell your products.
Starting a new business can make anyone anxious. That’s very understandable. But if you do your market research, and pick the right options, then you can easily start taking advantage of the popularity of enamel pins.
If you still need to be convinced, check out Google trends. The interest in enamel pins from 2015 to 2020 has grown steadily, from less than 25% to a record high of 75%, in September 2019.
The trend has remained stable in the United States, between 50 to 75% in the past 12 months. The best news is that there’s almost a 100% interest in markets like California and Oregon.
Over 35 million people live in California. That is one huge market. Which brings to mind another concept you should familiarize yourself with.
When it comes to starting any new business, you should be aware of consumer demands. It would be a smart move to make use of tools like Google Trends to figure out which sub-segment of the enamel pin industry you should focus on.
Fine-Tuning Your Technique
Forbes has an excellent article detailing information that an entrepreneur might require when starting up a new business. It touches on topics like picking a name for your business and how to build a great product with the potential for significant sales.
There are so many options you can avail of to learn more about startups. However, be cautious of following any guide too religiously.
These guides are meant to serve as an outline. And at the end of the day, no one knows more about your situation than you.
Be sure to apply any advice to your situation in particular and revamp it to suit your requirements.
Shall We Begin?
If you want to make money making enamel pins, then now’s the time to start. It’s best to break into a market when the demand for that product is high and constant.
The best part about the enamel pin industry is the consumers. They’re young and eager to express their artistic flair and support for various movements.
Enamel pins are popular with youth, and that is good news for you. According to this report, the number of adolescents and youth today is at an all-time high.
Be quick to figure out your business strategy and start availing the perks of custom made lapel pins today.
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Interesting related article: “What is a Startup?“