Custom Pin and Design

What Custom Pin and Design does

Custom Pin and Design is a Denver-based, founder-owned manufacturer of custom lapel pins and a broad portfolio of promotional products, operating continuously since 1980 under owner-operator Billy Nesbitt. The company's core offering is custom die-cast and hand-painted enamel lapel pins produced through multiple proprietary processes including hard enamel (cloisonne), soft enamel, offset printing, photodome, and brass silkscreened techniques, using materials ranging from brass, copper, iron, stainless steel, and zinc alloy to pewter and PVC. Beyond pins, the product line spans challenge coins, medals with ribbons, embroidered patches, lanyards, magnets, golf accessories, dog tags, money clips, tie bars, keychains, cufflinks, charms, plaque plates, custom face masks, yoga mats, and fitness equipment, with the company indicating ongoing SKU expansion.

The business runs on a direct, quote-based sales model in which clients work personally with the owner and a small in-house production/design team (including Production Manager Nathan Theuret and designers Jenny Li, Nicole Lai, Julie Dai, and Sam Wang) from initial art through prototype approval to fulfillment, with standard lead times of 1-3 days for color die art, 14-21 days for prototypes, and 21-45 days for completed orders. Production is factory-direct from domestic and overseas facilities, which the company cites as the basis for its pricing advantage. Free production prototypes, no bait-and-switch practices, and exclusive relationships maintained for 40+ years with named institutional customers (e.g., US Supreme Court, PGA Tour, USGA, Association of the US Army, major universities, Chicago professional sports teams) are positioned as the primary differentiators.

Customer concentration is spread across corporations, universities and alumni associations, professional associations, sports organizations, government/military, law enforcement, and events, served globally via a website quote form, toll-free phone, and email. With 1-10 employees, no external funding, and no disclosed revenue, the operation functions as a stable, founder-led small business rather than a venture-scale enterprise; primary growth vectors are incremental product line expansion and continued institutional renewals rather than geographic or capital-driven scaling.

Name

Custom Pin and Design

Legal name

Custom Pin & Design

Website

https://custompinanddesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Custom Pin and Design is a Denver-based, founder-owned custom lapel pin and promotional products manufacturer operating since 1980, serving corporations, universities, associations, sports organizations, government, and military clients worldwide via factory-direct production and direct owner engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Promotional Products Manufacturing

NAICS

Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (33991), Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (339910), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Jewelry, Silverware & Plated Ware (3910), Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960), Jewelry, Precious Metal (3911)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Fashion/Costume & Alternative Materials Jewelry (CRAKAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Buttons & Buckles Manufacturing (Buttons/Toggles/Buckles/Slides) (IMAOALAB), Handmade/Craft Fashion Jewelry (Beaded/Wire/Woven) (CRAKABAD)

Keywords

• Custom lapel pins
• Promotional products
• Challenge coins manufacturing
• Die-cast enamel pins
• Branded merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Lapel Pin Manufacturing: Primary revenue stream from design and production of custom lapel pins using various processes (hard enamel, soft enamel, offset printing, photodome). Orders typically fulfill within 21-45 days after prototype approval. Factory-direct production from domestic and overseas facilities.
2. Promotional Products: Wide range of custom promotional items including challenge coins, medals, patches, lanyards, keychains, magnets, badges, name badges, golf accessories, yoga mats, and custom logo'd merchandise for corporate events and marketing.
3. Specialty Pins: Premium custom pins including 10K and 14K gold, sterling silver, pins with stones, blinking/flashing pins, bobblehead pins, sliding/spinning pins, glitter, rhinestone, changing color pins, puzzle pins, and ribbon pins.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Custom Pin and Design is a manufacturer of custom die-cast and hand-painted enamel lapel pins produced through hard enamel (cloisonne), soft enamel, offset printing, and brass silkscreened processes. The company also produces a broad portfolio of custom promotional products including challenge coins, medals with ribbons, embroidered patches, lanyards, magnets, golf accessories, dog tags, money clips, tie bars, keychains, cufflinks, name badges, charms, buttons, plaque plates, and custom logo'd merchandise, serving corporations, universities, associations, sports organizations, and government agencies worldwide.

Product overview

Custom Pin and Design is America's premier custom lapel pin and promotional products manufacturer operating since 1980. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of custom-manufactured products centered around its core offering: custom die-cast and hand-painted enamel lapel pins produced through hard enamel (cloisonne), soft enamel, offset printing, and brass silkscreened processes. Beyond pins, the product portfolio includes challenge coins, medals with ribbons, embroidered patches, lanyards, magnets, golf accessories, dog tags, money clips, tie bars/clips, keychains, cufflinks, charms/pendants, buttons, badge holders, plaque plates, custom face masks, yoga mats, and fitness equipment. The company operates factory-direct production from domestic and overseas facilities and provides custom prototyping services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Lapel Pins Custom die-cast and hand-painted enamel lapel pins offered in hard enamel (cloisonne), soft enamel, offset printing, and brass silkscreened processes. Custom shapes, multiple finish options, and various materials (brass, copper, zinc alloy, etc.) are available. For corporations, universities, associations, sports, government, and law enforcement buyers.
• Challenge Coins Custom challenge coins typically made from brass, copper, or zinc alloy with enamel fill and custom finishes, used for military, association, and event recognition.
• Medals with Ribbons Custom medals featuring ribbons, designed for recognition, awards, and sporting events.
• Name Badges Custom name badges for corporate, event, and organizational use.
• Embroidered Patches Custom embroidered patches for apparel, hats, and uniforms.
• Lanyards Custom printed lanyards for badge holding and event identification.
• Magnets Custom picture and refrigerator magnets in various shapes and sizes.
• Golf Accessories Golf ball markers, divot tools, hat clips, and golf-themed promotional items.
• Dog Tags Custom dog tags for military-style identification, memorials, and promotional giveaways.
• Money Clips Custom metal money clips with company logos or designs.
• Tie Bars and Clips Custom tie bars and clips for corporate branding and recognition.
• Keychains Custom metal and promotional keychains in various shapes and finishes.
• Cufflinks Custom cufflinks for corporate gifts and recognition items.
• Charms and Pendants Custom metal charms and pendant necklaces for various occasions.
• Buttons and Badge Holders Custom plastic buttons and badge holders for identification and promotional use.
• Plaque Plates Custom engraved plaque plates for awards and recognition.
• Custom Face Masks Custom logo'd face masks for event marketing and corporate branding.
• Yoga Mats Custom printed yoga mats for fitness branding and corporate wellness programs.
• Fitness Equipment Custom fitness equipment and accessories with logo branding.
• Specialty Pins Premium specialty pins including 10K and 14K gold, sterling silver, pins with stones, blinking/flashing pins, bobblehead pins, sliding/spinning pins, glitter, rhinestone, puzzle pins, and ribbon pins.

Quantifiable outcome

• Color die art provided within 1-3 days after initial contact
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers43 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Quality Lapel Pins: Direct peer producing custom lapel pins in soft enamel, hard enamel, die struck, and printed formats for corporate, collegiate, and military customers — overlapping strongly on customer verticals and product specifications.
• The Pin People: Family-owned custom pin manufacturer specializing in enamel pins with no minimum order quantity. Comparable craft-based small-batch production model and SMB customer orientation.
• Lapel Pins Plus: A direct online competitor in custom lapel pin manufacturing, offering die-struck, soft enamel, hard enamel, photo-etched and 3D pins with quote-based factory-direct pricing — overlapping closely with Custom Pin and Design's core offering.
• PinPros Plus: Custom enamel pin manufacturer with a similar factory-direct model, free artwork, and no minimums on certain products. Comparable in customer base (corporations, schools, sports teams) and product mix.
• Signature Pins: Custom lapel pin maker offering hard enamel, soft enamel, die struck, and printed pins with free art and free shipping. Comparable factory-direct business model and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• PCNA (Polyconcept): One of the largest promotional products industry suppliers, with portfolios including Leeds, Bullet, and Trimark. Represents the consolidated, scaled competitor in the broader promotional product ecosystem.
• National Pen: Large-scale promotional products manufacturer and distributor (a TPC company) offering custom writing instruments, apparel, and branded merchandise. Competes for the same SMB and enterprise promotional product dollars.
• Crestline: Promotional products distributor and custom apparel/pins/awards provider with broader catalog and corporate distribution channels. Overlaps on corporate recognition and event merchandise orders.
• 4imprint: Large promotional products distributor offering thousands of customizable items including pins, coins, medals, and patches. Represents the scaled, broad-line competitor that Custom Pin and Design competes against for enterprise promotional merchandise budgets.

Emerging players

• Starter Pins: Smaller, digitally-native custom pin shop targeting creators and small brands with low minimums and online ordering. Represents the emerging e-commerce-first model that may pressure Custom Pin and Design's quote-based approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/custompindesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Custom Pin and Design