Caryn Smith asked:


by Caryn Smith

They have an Olympic history. They pique attention, build sportsmanship and boost team spirit. To be so small, you’d think custom trading pins held magic powers for all they are able to accomplish. Their magic lies in what they can do for the kids!

One of the first things parents learn about when their child enters the youth sports arena is team lapel pins. Made specifically for trading with other team players, these pins got their start way back in 1924 at the Olympics. During Opening Ceremonies, athletes and coaches would exchange pins as a symbol of sportsmanship. Today, that same gesture continues, thanks to custom trading pins.

When Do You Trade Pins?

While you can trade pins at any point during the year, many teams follow the same outline set forth by the 2007 Chet Lemon AAU Baseball National Championships. Their official rules state, “Several teams may bring lapel pins to exchange during Opening Ceremonies and during the week. You may consider participating in this activity. Usually, the pins have a team, state or city logo. We suggest pin trading during Opening Ceremonies.” However, trading lapel pins also takes place at games, playoffs and regional events.

The Wilder, The Better

As each year passes, trading pins have increased in flamboyance. Because technology has improved over time, manufacturers can be more creative with lapel pins now than they have been in the past.

The trend now is to include spinners, danglers, glitter colors, bobbleheads, blinkies and sliders. The more trading pins move or flash, the better kids love them!

Value = Affordability + Quality

While there are other factors at play, quantity, color and add-ons will make the biggest impacts on the price of lapel pins. An order of 1,000 pins will cost less (per pin) than an order of 100. Typically, the more colors you add to your pins, the more they will cost. Likewise, the more doodads you add (spinners, danglers, etc.), the more the lapel pins will cost.

Watch for companies that offer good value. Practically any lapel pin manufacturer can reduce prices and offer cheap pins that may not last through the season. It’s the manufacturers that provide true value – quality materials and workmanship at a reasonable price – that should get your business.

Also look for bonuses. You can sometimes find vendors that provide free color, free proofs and other extras.

Creative Designs

This is certainly not the time for stock lapel pins or ordinary designs. Kids want it all! To make them happy – and proud to trade pins with their fellow players – you’ll want eye-popping designs that stand out from the millions of other pins out there.

Ask to see samples of the lapel pin company’s work to ensure they have what it takes to craft pins your kids will want to wear and trade.

I doubt anyone imagined back in 1924 that trading pins would become such a fascination with kids. From baseball to football and beyond, make sure your child’s team is well represented with custom-designed sports trading pins that show their team spirit!



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