Enamel Pin Grading

WHAT ARE ENAMEL PINS?

Enamel pins are wearable pieces of art created by designing a metal base and filling recessed areas with colored enamel. They often feature detailed illustrations inspired by pop culture, original art, and fandoms.

Each enamel pin is produced through a largely hand-made manufacturing process. Because of this, minor variations and imperfections are a natural part of production and are expected even in high-quality pins.

To ensure transparency, all enamel pins are inspected and graded based on overall quality and condition. Grading considers factors such as air bubbles, enamel underfill or overfill, metal plating flaws, surface scuffing, scratches, screen-printing alignment, paint pooling, dust particles, and other small manufacturing inconsistencies.

This grading system helps customers make informed decisions and choose pins that best match their preferences—whether for collecting, gifting, or everyday wear.

ENAMEL PIN GRADING

A GRADE
A Grade enamel pins are top-quality and near-perfect. Any imperfections are minimal, subtle, and difficult to notice without close inspection.

  • Clean, polished, and visually appealing overall.
  • Smooth, vibrant enamel with consistent color.
  • Well-defined metal lines.
  • Secure and fully functional pin backs.
  • Minor screen-printing offsets.
  • Very light plating imperfections on the front.
  • Minor air bubbles or light enamel underfill.
  • Light surface scuffs or faint scratches.
  • Minimal nicks on enamel or metal.
  • Occasional dust specks or overturned glitter.
  • Slight paint pooling in screen-printed areas.
  • Minor enamel spillover or tiny plating gaps.
  • Overall professionally finished appearance.

Special Note:
A Grade evaluation is more lenient on the sides and edges than B Grade. Minor side scuffing, small enamel spillover, or tiny sections of missing plating on edges may still qualify as A Grade. These pins are ideal for collectors, gifts, or personal display.

B GRADE
B Grade enamel pins contain noticeable but moderate imperfections. These flaws are visible upon inspection but generally do not overpower the design.

  • Noticeable imperfections along the sides.
  • Multiple small imperfections scattered across the pin.
  • Several visible air bubbles.
  • Under-filled enamel in multiple areas.
  • Partial enamel loss in a small section.
  • Visible dust particles on soft enamel.
  • Clear screen-printing misalignment.
  • Substantial plating loss on the back.
  • Missing or faint screen-print details.
  • Uneven glitter distribution.
  • Single unfilled enamel section.
  • Visible enamel staining on sides or back.
  • Missing metal lines in select areas.
  • Overfilled enamel flooding metal lines.
  • Moderate scuffing on enamel or metal.
  • Small gouges or marks in enamel.

C GRADE
C Grade enamel pins show prominent and obvious imperfections. These pins are still wearable but are not recommended for collectors.

  • Large or obvious scratches and surface flaws.
  • Uneven enamel coating across multiple areas.
  • Significant color inconsistencies.
  • Blurry or poorly defined metal lines.
  • Noticeable design inaccuracies.
  • Visible pin-back defects.
  • Large areas of low-fill or missing enamel.
  • Multiple unfilled enamel sections.
  • Broken or missing pin posts.
  • Incorrect or missing back stamp.
  • Color-change enamel fails to shift.
  • Enamel completely missing in sections.
  • Deep gouges or heavy scuffing.
  • Prominent scratches throughout.
  • Numerous plating defects.
  • Large or multiple air bubbles.
  • Misapplied or missing glitter.
  • Missing metal lines in several areas.
  • Multiple stained or discolored enamel sections.

D GRADE & LOWER
D Grade pins contain severe defects that heavily impact appearance and structure. These pins are not sold and are recycled.

  • Extensive flaws that significantly affect aesthetics.
  • Severely uneven or damaged enamel.
  • Major color fading or inconsistencies.
  • Poorly formed or missing metal lines.
  • Serious design errors.
  • Pin backs with functional issues.
  • Overall appearance is heavily compromised.

Please note: Grading standards may vary slightly between manufacturers and sellers. Always refer to the grading system provided by the shop to understand the condition of each enamel pin.

Last updated: January 31, 2026